In publishing, new authors can gain an audience on the Internet, and both established magazines and newspapers maintain Web sites. An ageing population may need to make use of online ordering and getting delivery at the door rather than drive to many different stores. Today, one does not have to be at home or in the office to access the Internet, and tomorrow Internet access will be built into many new products called information appliances. We are moving to a service provider model that will be network-driven versus desktop devices. Firm to make every electronic appliance a network computer People will be able to use cell phones and wireless handheld devices to reach the Web with Portal to Go, a combination Web browser and tiny database that Larry Ellison, Oracle chief, announced at the Telecom 99 trade show last October.
Wireless connections are another growth area.
The rate is expected to dramatically increase end-user purchases over the next five years. California-based Metricom recently signed a national distribution agreement with MCI WorldCom for its Ricochet service. Right now, most public libraries and many hotel chains offer Internet access. Sprint offers free long-distance and free wireless Internet service on some rate plans, and Sprint PCS phones are also available. At hotels, CAIS Internet helps business travellers keep in touch with the office at Hilton hotels and at many locations of Marriott, Embassy Suites, Doubletree, Radisson, Crowne Plaza, Regal and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.