A quick presentation exploring how the internet has revolutionised the communication systems and technology worldwide. Talking through how accessing the internet has changed over time, with new and improved network systems and how consumer trends have adapted to the growing technology of todays world. Safe to say the world cannot survive without the internet.

1. EVOLUTION OF THE
INTERNET
Fig 1. Harris, M. (2018) Satellite-based Internet [image]

2. Introduction
The internet has revolutionized the communication systems and technology
worldwide. It plays an integral role in broadcasting, interactions between
individuals, collaboration and research. Inventions of the telephone, mobile
broadband and public Wi-Fi have built a platform for immense capabilities
and growth. This presentation explores the evolution of the internet, access
methods and consumer trends.

3. History of the internet
• Less than forty years ago, analysts at Advanced
Research Projects Network (ARPANET) utilized
TCP/IP to form a network of networks. This was
the beginning of what would advance into the
present-day web (Cork F, 2020).
• European Physical Research facility then named it
the world wide web and was opened to the
public in 1991 (Cork F, 2020).
• Commonly addressed using ‘www’
• Which began as a dial-up internet
• Developed into broadband, then Ethernet cables
or Wi-Fi began to replace broadbands (Cork F,
2020).
• Network speeds of 2G, 3G, 4G and now 5G were
developed and used to access the web (Cork F,
2020). Fig 3. Ventcube (2019) Internet Timeline [Image]
Fig 2. Fitzpatric,T.(2017) Illustration of how the
internet has developed over time [image]

4. Internet access methods
There are two types of strategies to access the internet, first
being indirect access. Which is the most common in domestic
and office use (Cope, 2020). It’s the fixed connection of the
computer for example, interface to Ethernet or Wi-Fi to the
web.
Secondly, direct access is most common whilst travelling. For
example, the mobile connection between a smartphone
interface directly to the web using 3G/4G networks or Wi-Fi
(Cope, 2020).
Fig 4. Cope, S. (2020) Internet Connection Methods [image]

5. Network System
Fig 5. Policy papers. (2019) Evolution of network system [image]
Fig 6. Policy papers.(2019) Importance of 5G network. [image]
This is further explored by Fig. 6 where it shows the difference
in download speed, latency and bandwidth between 4G and
5G. Almost 10 times faster in all three aspects and
will control the “Internet of Things”, counting telemedicine
and independent vehicles. It will provide nations strong
mechanical, financial and national security opportunities and
aid the health industry with remote patient monitoring,
consultation and remote surgery (Blunt R, 2019).
Fig. 5 is a visual representation of the growth of the networks
systems from telephones using analog voice in the 1980s. 10 years
later introducing a low-speed data accompanying digital voice. The
early 2000s saw the growth of high-speed data known as 3G
allowing faster internet access, 2010s saw even better network
known as 4G which birthed streaming and apps. Nowadays the
recent phenomenon is the 5G network that is super high-speed
and allows interconnection through various devices and systems
(Blunt R, 2019).

6. Internet access via devices
Fig 8 . MaxFil (2020) Realistic Digital Devices [image]
Fig 7. Digital Marketing Community (2019)
Statistics of Devices used by Millennials. [image]
Nowadays to find more information about something is
accessible through many digital devices with advanced
technology. Devices used by consumers are desktop
computers, laptops, smart phones, tablets, e-readers
etc.
Fig 7. shows statistics of devices used by Millennials.
Smartphones are the integrals to millennials
digitalized lives. They are central to information and
communication (DMC, 2020). Secondly, PC / Laptops
are used by 75% by the millennials to access internet,
and Tablets comes next in range with a rate of 38%
usage.

7. Search engines
Fig 10. Coa, S. (2019)
Consumers using online
search engines. [image]
Fig 9. Chaffey, D. (2020)
Ecommerce activity overview
[image]
Consumers use their phones for everything as its always
with them and easily accessible, to the point where
they’re searching about products whilst in the store. This
notion of showrooming (Cao, 2019) is common these days
with mobile search questions to have risen by 15% in
recent years. Additionally, consumers use online videos to
help them learn more about a product they want to
purchase (Cao, 2019).
Fig 10. displays the usage of ecommerce platform from
the ages 16 to 64 in the recent month of July 2020.
Many customers use the internet to gain knowledge
about different products in various fields. There are both
negative and positive outcomes of internet searching for
example poor interpretation of written information about
medication (Peterson, et al., 2003) and/or positive
reviews about Apple products.

8. Online shopping
Consumers prefer to shop online more often as online shopping incentives such
as free shipping, free returns and exchanges (Bluefoot , 2018). Online shopping
has allowed consumers easy access to view products at one place, compare
hundreds of brands and prices, and choose products at the lowest price, all
whilst at home. Consequently, leading to a lot of competitive pressure on retails
stores to provide services and products at reasonable prices. To the point where
some stores have closed or at least a few open like Collette and/or fast-fashion
stores have emerged, such as Zara, TopShop etc. all of which are aiming to keep
shopping in-store alive.
Fig 11. Saleh, K. (2019) Products purchased online [image]
Advantages Disadvantages
Customers can shop online 24/7 In online shopping the consumers
can’t touch or feel the product
Price comparisons can be seen Online shopping may have hidden
costs, like charges for shipping,
pick up charges.
No waiting in queues, quick
checkout (Bedgood, 2019)
There may be delays in the
delivery of the products
(Bedgood, 2019)

9. Online video consumption
Video content consumption has increased over time with almost everything
being available online. They are the number one source of information for 66%
of consumers with 75% of the video views coming from mobile devices
(Techjury, 2021). Content such as makeup tutorials, gaming, product reviews,
vlogs and education are commonly streamed on platforms such as YouTube,
social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok and other online
websites, resulting in consumers spending an average of six hours and 48
minutes per week watching these videos (Techjury, 2021).
This streaming has recently increased heavily due to the global pandemic of
COVID-19 with many families adding at least one paid streaming video service
such as Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime etc. to watch at home (Forbes,
2021). Newcomers like TikTok and Instagram Reels have also become popular as
millions of consumers want to view content they can relate to, as opposed to
seeing potentially unrealistic images and lifestyles of people through social
media.
Additionally, online video consumption has seen to improve cognitive ability in
consumers. With a recent study done by Google, stating almost 79% of
Americans surveyed said watching videos makes them happier
(ThinkwithGoogle, 2020).
Fig 12. Lu, L. (2019) Streaming Platforms [Image]

10. Consumer trends
Within the last 5 years, if not longer, the growing technological
advancements have impacted consumer habits in many ways. For example,
wearable gadgets such as Fitbits, Apple
Watches, Samsung watches allow consumers to track their health. With
heart rate monitors, exercise activities and diet monitors, they’re the first
step towards consumers eating better, reducing stress and adopting a
healthier lifestyle. (Alida, 2017).
A recent phenomenon knows as influencers, who are known to be experts in
their fields. Posting regular content on their social media platform, engaging
many people to view their knowledge, have increased in the recent years.
Nowadays brands love influencers to promote their products and created
trends. An excellent example is of Adidas who used to promote through
athletes, are now promoting through social influencers (Beall G, 2017).
Albeit increasing sales of the brand, it truly shows many consumers want to
buy things and show it off online. A notion that was quite different two
decades ago.
Fig 14. Burns, J. (2018) Social Media Influencers [Image ]
Fig 13. Kavafian, H. (2019) Wearable Gadgets [Image]

11. Summary
Overall, the internet has evolved so rapidly that one wouldn’t comprehend it
began almost 60 years ago. Starting from an ambiguous research idea to
become a worldwide computing and communications platform, used by over
3.2 billion people. Beginning from dial-up to touch screen phones, radios to
smart TVs, information can be searched up in seconds. One of the biggest
things to have arisen is the notion of online shopping, with more than 50% of
products, such as electronic goods, clothes and books being bought online.
An increase of internet speeds and growth of global users has been seen and
it’s safe to say the world cannot survive without the internet. It has truly
moved rapidly, and it hasn’t finished evolving.

12. Image Citations
• Burns, J. (2018) ‘Social Media Influencers’ [Image] in medium.com. Available at : https://medium.com/@jacobburns_69255/how-social-media-influencers-can-help-your-
companys-marketing-705eb5d3a957 [Accessed 30th December 2020]
• Chaffey, D. (2020) ‘Ecommerce activity overview’ [image] in smartinsights.com. Available at: https://www.smartinsights.com/search-engine-marketing/search-engine-statistics/
[Accessed 10th Nov 2020]
• Coa, S. (2019) ‘Consumers using online search engines’. [image] in thinkgoogle.com. Available at: https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/consumer-
journey/online-in-store-shopping-search/. [Accessed 16th October 2020]
• Cope, S. (2020) ‘Internet Connection Methods’ [image] in stevesmarthomeguide.com. Available at: https://stevessmarthomeguide.com/connect-methods/. [Accessed 11th
October 2020]
• Digital Marketing Community (2019) ‘Statistics of Devices used by Millennials’. [image] in digitalmarketingcommunity.com. Available at:
https://www.digitalmarketingcommunity.com/indicators/used-devicesmillennial-internet-users-2018/. [Accessed 11th October 2020]
• Fitzpatric,T.(2017) ‘Illustration of how the internet has developed over time’ [image] in sciencenode.org. Available at: https://sciencenode.org/feature/a-brief-history-of-the-
internet-.php [Accessed 10th October 2020]
• Harris, M. (2018) ‘Satellite-based Internet’ [image] in spectrum.ieee.org. Available at : https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/aerospace/satellites/facebook-may-have-secret-plans-
to-launch-a-internet-satellite. [Accessed 9th October 2020]
• Kavafian, H. (2019) ‘Wearable Gadgets’ [Image] in androidpolice.com. Available at: https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/07/16/fitbit-sale/ [Accessed on 1st January 2021]
• Lu, L. (2019) ‘ Streaming Platforms’ [Image] in Indiewire.com. Available at: https://www.indiewire.com/2019/03/stream-tv-movies-watch-shows-online-netflix-apple-hulu-
amazon-1202053634/ [ Accessed on 31st December 2020]
• MaxFil (2020) ‘Realistic Digital Devices’ [image] in vectorstock.com. Available at: https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/realistic-digital-devices-in-isometry-vector-
23747596 . [Accessed 15th October 2020]
• Policy papers. (2019) ‘Evolution of network system’ [image] in rpc.senate.gov. Available at: https://www.rpc.senate.gov/policy-papers/the-importance-of-5g. [Accessed 17th
October 2020]
• Policy papers. (2019) ‘Importance of 5G network’ [image] in rpc.senate.gov. Available at: https://www.rpc.senate.gov/policy-papers/the-importance-of-5g. [Accessed 17th
October 2020]
• Saleh, K. (2019) ‘Products purchased online’ [image] in invespcro.com. Available at : https://www.invespcro.com/blog/online-consumer-shopping-habits-behavior/. [Accessed 19th
October 2020]
• Ventcube (2019) ‘Internet Timeline’ [Image] in ventcube.com. Available at : https://ventcube.com/history-of-the-internet-timeline/. [Accessed 10th October 2020]

13. Writing Citations
• Alida. (2017) ‘Consumers Trends’ Alida [online]. Available at: https://www.alida.com/the-alida-journal/4-examples-how-
technology-changing-consumer-behavior [Accessed 31st December 2020]
• Beall, G. (2020) ‘ Consumers Trends’ thenextweb [online]. Available at: https://thenextweb.com/insider/2017/11/10/5-ways-
technology-is-changing-consumer-behaviors/ [Accessed 31st December 2020]
• Bedgood, L (2019) ‘Disadvantages of online shopping’ business2community [online]. Available at:
https://www.business2community.com/consumer-marketing/25-stats-on-consumer-shopping-trends-for-2019-02175812
[Accessed 23rd October 2020]
• Bluefoot (2018) ‘How online shopping continues to impact Retail companies’ bluefoot [online]. Available at:
https://www.bluefoot.com.br/how-online-shopping-continues-to-impact-retail-companies/ [Accessed 18th October 2020]
• Blunt, R. (2019) ‘Evolution of Network Systems’ Policy Papers [online]. Available at: https://www.rpc.senate.gov/policy-
papers/the-importance-of-5g [Accessed 17th October 2020]
• Blunt, R. (2019) ‘Importance Of 5G Networks’ Policy papers [online]. Available at: https://www.rpc.senate.gov/policy-papers/the-
importance-of-5g [Accessed 17th October 2020]
• Cao, S. (2019) ‘Online and In-store Search Engines’ ThinkwithGoogle [online]. Available at:
https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/consumer-journey/online-in-store-shopping-search/. [Accessed 15th
October 2020]
• Cope,S. (2020) ‘Internet Connections and Access Methods’ Stevessmarthomeguide [online]. Available at:
https://stevessmarthomeguide.com/connect-methods/ [Accessed 11th October 2020]
• Cork, F. (2020) ‘Telephone and Ethernet Cables’ TWT [online]. Available at:
https://www.tomorrowsworldtoday.com/2019/04/16/the-evolution-of-the-internet/ [Accessed 10th October 2020]
• Digital Marketing Community. (2020) ‘Devices used to access Internet by Millennials’ DMC [online]. Available at:
https://www.digitalmarketingcommunity.com/indicators/used-devicesmillennial-internet-users-2018/. [Accessed 11th October
2020]
• MaxFil. (2020) ‘Realistic Digital Devices’ Vectorstock [online]. Available at: https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-
vector/realistic-digital-devices-in-isometry-vector-23747596 . [Accessed 15th October 2020]
• Peterson G, Aslani P, Williams K. (2003) ‘How do consumers search for and appraise information on medicines on the internet?’
Pubmed.gov [online]. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14713661/ [Accessed 16th October 2020]