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Broadband Penetration and Average Speed; East Beats West

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Broadband is the necessity of the modern world. It lets you connect to the virtual world even faster, you do your job faster and it helps you save your time. High speed internet with the help of broadband has not only made the experience on internet faster but also more content and feature rich. It wouldn’t have been possible to watch a high quality video documentary on YouTube seamlessly ten years back.

In the year 1997, the cable modem was introduced. Until at least 2001, it wasn’t very common due to its high cost. By 2004, people realized the convenience of using high speed internet, it had become very common in the average households in the United States and in the rest of the world. Almost immediately after two years, broadband started gaining popularity in developing countries like India as well with state run BSNL and MTNL using their existing landlines to provide high speed internet up to 256Kbps.

Since 2004, broadband has come a long way. In terms of speed and cost, many developing countries are leaving the developed countries like UK and US in the dust. To cite an example, according to a survey done by an IT company Akamai, the average broadband speed in UK is 6.3Mbps compared to 6.4Mbps in Romania. Among the G20 nations, the UK generates the largest amount of money online, still the speed of download in the country is 16th slowest in Europe.

When I was in UK, I owned a BT broadband connection. The connection was lightning fast at 16Mbps, much faster than the average UK broadband speed. The connection cost me £16 for unlimited broadband excluding the line rental of £15.45 per month. I got extra benefits like Sainsbury’s gift card worth £25, weekend calls and free sports channels on TV.

When I came to India I did not expect similar speed on broadband and at much cheaper price! In Bangalore 16Mbps Airtel connection cost me ₹1500 (£16.6) including line rental and a free Wi-Fi router and 20 hours of free calls per month. You do not need to hang-up every hour like you need to do for unlimited and weekend calls in the UK. The internet connection did not include TV, which was one disadvantage. The service providers do offer Direct to home satellite TV services, but they have not merged their services to provide a complete package. Also the download had a limit of 80GB but after that you can download unlimited at the lower speed of 512Kbps, I could never consume 80GB hence I experienced seamless fast internet without any problem throughout the month.

BT Group of the UK, which has a network reaching almost every household in the country, is laying fibre to cabinets in the streets. However, they are still relying on conventional copper wires to carry the broadband signal to the doorstep from the streets. This means that if 1,000Mbps or more is supported by the fibre optics, at the end of the day the copper wires to home will only be able to carry 80Mbps speed.

Average broadband speed by country
Image by Akamai

When it comes to the network speed, east clearly beats the west. The tech savvy Asian population in South Korea (15.7Mbps), Japan (10.9Mbps) and Hong Kong (9.3Mbps) have occupied the top three positions in the list of fastest average internet speed by country.

Rank
Country
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions
Percentage of Population
Year
1
China
126,337,000
9.42
2010
2
United States
85,723,155
27.62
2010
3
Japan
34,044,729
26.91
2010
4
Germany
26,089,800
31.70
2010
5
France
21,345,000
34.00
2010
6
United Kingdom
19,579,823
31.56
2010
7
South Korea
17,193,570
35.68
2010
8
Russia
15,700,000
10.98
2010
9
India
15,010,000
1.23
2013
10
Brazil
13,266,310
6.81
2010

When it comes to number of subscription, BRIC nations manage to come at the top 10 positions challenging the developed countries. China sits at the top, and Russia, India and Brazil occupy the 8th, 9th and 10th position respectively.

However, when it comes to rate of broadband penetration, BRIC nations do really badly, especially India, the Information Technology hub of the world, with only 1.23% of its population connected to the high speed internet. Russia is doing relatively better than other BRIC nations with 10.98%.

Many governments in Asia have made Internet development as a national goal on priority, which has resulted South Korea becoming the hub of online streaming and online gaming which requires high bandwidth. Just like how in Europe Latvia and Romania do wonders, we may expect India and China doing the same in Asia, which have massive population working in Information Technology services and Software Development.

Student @ Advanced Digital Sciences Center, Singapore. Travelled to 30+ countries, passion for basketball.

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Do’s and Don’t’s of Firing People

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As a business leader one of the hardest things that you could do is fire an employee. Of course, it sounds like an easy thing to do if the employee is rightfully deserving of being fired, but it is a lot easier said than done. Is a decision that many managers actually lose a lot of sleep over, because it’s such a difficult undertaking. 

No matter what you do though, whether you are firing somebody because they are just not the right fit for your business, or you are dismissing an employee for gross misconduct, legal issues can arise that could do damage to your business. HR professionals across the country will tell you that there are many different ways of gracefully terminating an employee’s contract, but there are some do’s and don’ts that you could do to make it an easier process that can help you deal with it. Let’s take a look at a few of those below.

  • Do get everything in order before you fire them. From evidence as to the reason they are fired, to the paperwork for them to leave the business, get everything in order so that there are no loose ends. For a firing to go smoothly this needs to be prepared in advance. Before you terminate the employee, you need to be able to prevent any misunderstandings or even accusations of illegal activity going on. Follow the policies and procedures in place of your organization and if necessary, consult a lawyer. Secure computer files, make sure you pull together all in performance appraisals and written warnings as any other correspondence that you might need. You should also make sure that you have all of the payroll information in place so that you can reassure the person being fired that they will be paid according to the law.
  • Do choose a private space. Let’s be honest, nobody wants to be fired from their job. It leaves a bad taste, it’s nothing to be proud of, and it can be embarrassing for the employee. When you are dismissing somebody, you need to choose the right time and place and make sure that there are no eavesdroppers. It’s always a good idea to do it as early in the week as possible at the end of the day so that you minimize impact to your business. If an employee depends on the company or their colleagues to get home, it just makes good sense to ensure that they are not going to be left stranded.
  • Don’t fire somebody with an audience around. As we mentioned before, anybody in your business has a right to privacy. Doing it in front of an audience will be poor behavior on your part as an employer. It also won’t help people in the office to feel comforted by the idea that they may not be next. Use an official meeting space, as it’s a private and neutral location that is free from any disruption.
  • Don’t forget to toe the line. If you terminate an employee on parental or medical leave, or you terminate an employee who is pregnant, you are going to open yourself up to a lawsuit. Toe the line when it comes to the law and make sure that you are firing somebody with all of your ducks in a row in advance.

Terminating an employee’s contract is not easy, but sometimes it needs to be done.

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Best Strategies to Create an Comfortable Atmosphere in Your Restaurant

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Creating an inviting and comfortable atmosphere in any restaurant is essential for success. Customers often form their first impression of the restaurant based on its ambiance, and if it isn’t pleasant or enjoyable, they are less likely to come back. It’s important to consider all aspects that can make up a positive dining experience — from the decor to the music playing in your establishment to the service you provide. Here are some strategies that will help you create an atmosphere that customers won’t forget.

Decor:

The key to creating a cozy environment is by designing decor that reflects your restaurant’s style and promotes relaxation. Think about what kind of mood you want customers to feel when they enter your restaurant — from the lighting to the art on the walls to the decorations that adorn your tables. Depending on the cuisine you serve and the atmosphere you want to create, consider investing in muted tones or warm colors for a calming effect or bright and vibrant shades for an energetic vibe.

Music:

The music playing in your restaurant can make all the difference. Too loud music can be overwhelming and uncomfortable, while music that’s too quiet won’t create an inviting atmosphere at all. Consider investing in a music player for restaurant so you can control what music is played and when it starts and stops. You should also consider whether you want to provide live or recorded music. Live music will usually give customers a sense of authenticity and provide them with something to enjoy during their meal, while pre-recorded songs can help set the background without being distracting.

Service:

Your service can be just as important as the ambiance in creating a memorable experience. Make sure your staff is well-trained, friendly, and attentive to guests’ needs. Ensure they understand your restaurant’s standards and expectations — from proper table setting etiquette to how glasses should be filled. Customers greatly appreciate being treated with respect and kindness, so make sure your waitstaff is not only efficient but also shows genuine care for their customer’s satisfaction.

Atmosphere:

Creating the perfect atmosphere requires more than just the decor, music, and service — it also includes small touches that will make your restaurant stand out. For instance, consider offering complimentary snacks or appetizers to customers while they wait for their meals to arrive. You can also provide warm towels after meals as a sign of endearment and appreciation. Additionally, choosing linens with exquisite patterns or using fresh flowers on each table will add even more charm to your restaurant’s atmosphere.

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Turn Your Passion into a Career: How to Make Money Doing What You Love

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Many dreams of turning their hobby, passion, or creative outlet into a career. It’s a beautiful idea, but it can take time to figure out where to start. Here’s a guide on successfully turning your hobby into a career. 

Do Your Research 

Before you turn your hobby into a business, please research and find out what the industry looks like, your potential customers and their needs. Next, consider your strengths, skills, and knowledge and decide how to use them in this new venture. Finally, consider what makes you unique in the industry and how you can market yourself. 

Take A Strong Career Test

A Strong Career Test can help you identify your ideal job and the type of environment you would flourish in. In addition, knowing this information can give you an idea of what kind of business to start and whether it’s something you’d be passionate about.

Think About Finances and Legalities 

Once you have an idea of what you want to do, consider the financial aspect – are there any costs associated with getting started? What sort of budget will you need? Will there be any tax implications? It’s also essential to think about the legal side of things – if necessary, consult with a lawyer specializing in business law so that you understand all the regulations associated with starting up and protecting your intellectual property rights. 

Create a Business Plan 

Now that you have researched and considered the legalities and finances involved, create a business plan that outlines all this information. Make sure it includes short-term and long-term objectives to keep track of your progress over time. Be realistic when setting targets for yourself – don’t aim too high at first because this could set you up for failure if it doesn’t pan out. Also, consider whether or not there is potential for growth or expansion once your business gets off the ground. This may include marketing strategies such as social media campaigns or investing in advertising materials such as brochures or flyers. 

Start Networking 

Networking is essential when launching any new business; it’s about building relationships with people who may be interested in your offer. Start by reaching out to family, friends, and acquaintances who may already know about your business or service offering; they may even be willing to share it with others! Additionally, join online groups related to your area of expertise – these are great places for exchanging ideas with like-minded people and potentially finding potential customers/collaborators/mentors/partners, etc. Finally, attend events such as trade shows or conferences where relevant topics are discussed – these are ideal opportunities for making connections within the industry that could prove beneficial down the line! 

Turning your hobby into a career is no small task, but it can be approached thoughtfully and strategically! Please research the industry thoroughly before beginning to understand its nuances; familiarize yourself with the legalities of running a business; create a viable yet ambitious business plan; network extensively (both online & offline). And never give up! With dedication & hard work, anything is possible.

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