The document discusses the history of innovations in communications technology and predictions made about their potential. It notes how rockets, computers, phones, and the internet have developed over time. The document argues that high-speed broadband internet could enable new applications and transform industries like media, tourism, and healthcare by allowing data sharing and remote access to services. However, many innovations are difficult to predict, as shown by past skeptical quotes about technologies like radio and computers.

1. The unexplored country Public Sphere #1 – High Bandwidth for Australia Craig Thomler T: @craigthomler E: [email_address] W: http://egovau.blogspot.com 7 May 2009

2. "Professor Goddard does not know the relation between action and reaction and the need to have something better than a vacuum against which to react. He seems to lack the basic knowledge ladled out daily in high schools." 1921 New York Times editorial about Robert Goddard's revolutionary rocket work. 1232 First rockets in war 1981 First shuttle flight

3. 1876 First phone call 2008 iPhone released "This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us." Western Union internal memo, 1876

4. 1946 ENIAC computer 2006 XO laptop for kids “ I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943 “ Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons.” Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949

5. Crystal Ball 3D computer control device – MIT Electronic Systems Laboratory display console, 1963 The future?

6. We don't know What will be the new applications, services and changes (social, political and economic) resulting from a high speed broadband network? Data – integrated access to public data

7. Media – video/audio programs on demand

8. Tourism – photo-realistic virtual worlds

9. Medicine – specialists available anywhere

10. Computation – cloud computing

11. Communications – telepresence