For example, if you go to a travel agent to book an airplane ticket, the agent will most likely use a computer with a modem to connect to an airline's database to check the availability of flights. Telecommunications makes it possible for people to work at home rather than in an office. This is referred to as telecommuting. Writers and news reporters can write their stories at home on a word processor and then transmit their word processor files to their office which might be many miles away. Financial consultants, accountants, and travel agents are able to work at home by accessing databases and other information with a modem.
Telecommunications also makes access to the Internet possible.
People who subscribe to a bulletin board service can post messages by calling the BBS's computer and transmitting them. When other subscribers of the service call the bulletin board they can list posted messages. Many companies and organizations maintain bulletin board systems to keep subscribers aware of important events. For example, the Educational Technology Faculty on the Northern Campus of Florida Atlantic University could have an electronic bulletin board which lists updated course assignments and procedures. The web conference you are all subscribed to is considered a world wide web based bulletin board system.