The Internet as a Way of Life

Happy New Year to everyone!

Looking back over the past year, 2006 was certainly a memorable year for us. Not only have we begun on our EM-Taichung project, we have managed to successfully set-up a strong management team to bring our company forward. In the next few weeks, we would be having our company strategic planning for the New Year and some of the issues that we will be discussing include a review of our business model, HR recruitment, as well as international expansion. Looking ahead, we are happy with the amount that we have achieved in this short time frame and would be looking to press ahead further this year.

Just as 2006 was coming to an end, something happened that gave a glimpse of what might have happened without the Internet. The earthquakes that happened off the coast of Taiwan resulted in some damage of the undersea cables and severely affected the connectivity of Internet and telecommunications lines across the Asia Pacific region. Many businesses suffered tremendously during this period with banks, E-commerce companies, as well as telecommunications companies having to endure a torrid time and a dip in profits.

Coincidentally, during this time, I was away with my Chairman in Hong Kong and China. During the first few days, I was totally cut off and unable to access any Internet websites. Broadband speeds slowed to a crawl in the next few days and I was unable to receive or send out any emails! And, even my mobile phone communications were terrible. I was totally unable to make any contact with our partners in Taiwan and had to endure an information “black-out” just when we needed to make some urgent conference calls to Taiwan. In a way, I felt totally cut off from the rest of the world. Unable to reach my partners, staff and friends, my productivity dropped tremendously. Additionally, this “black-out” forced our plans to be delayed for at least a week. And I was left wondering, what would happen if the Internet died?

And in some places around the world, the Internet is practically non-existent. Or, Internet access might be extremely expensive. It is our vision to be able to bring high-speed, cost-effective, wireless broadband and telecommunications access to many developing countries across the world, starting with the Asia Pacific region. As such, the infrastructural development would allow citizens in these various countries to enter into an Information Age where the Internet and a Wireless Lifestyle becomes a Way of Life.

Carpe Diem!

Ignious Yong

Managing Director
Empire Communications Technology (Emcom)