San Francisco: The information superhighway could become clogged with data by 2010 forcing broadband users to revert to dial-up modems, according to a new study.
The report by US analyst firm Nemertes Research predicted that unless more than $100 billion was invested in the global Internet infrastructure, a level of gridlock would develop that would make it almost impossible to use rich media sites like YouTube.
Nemertes estimated the investment needed at $137 billion globally — double the level planned. The financial investment needed to 'bridge the gap' between demand and capacity in the US alone would range from $42-55 billion, or 60 percent more than planned, Nemertes said.
The effects will make life on the Internet more difficult for users. "It may take more than one attempt to confirm an online purchase or it may take longer to download the latest video from YouTube," the report said.
The Internet traffic jam will also stifle innovation. "The next Amazon, Google or YouTube might not arise, not from a lack of user demand but because of insufficient infrastructure preventing applications and companies emerging," the report warned.
The report was part-funded by the Internet Innovation Alliance (IIA), which campaigns for universal broadband in the US.
"We must take the necessary steps to build out network capacity or potentially face Internet gridlock that could wreak havoc on Internet services," said Larry Irving, co-chairman of the IIA.
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