In the past year, several transformative changes have affected the Internet. They require a new context for thinking about how the Internet will operate in the future. These changes are:

1. The emergence of cloud or mesh computing
2. The creation of ecosystems of applications (Amazon’s cloud, Google’s ecosystem), computing, and storage that build upon the use of meshed computational and storage capabilities.
3. Greater functionality in 4G and 5G networks and in optical networks that will support the continuous operation of high-speed computing over networks (with optical backplane controls and other “intelligent” capabilities)
4. The beginnings of an evolution to Web 3.0 via Virtual Worlds/
Second Life and the creation of ongoing presence on the Internet.

At the present time, these transformative changes are recognized as having great potential uses, but how they will impact the way we use the Internet is only beginning to be conceptualized. Several things are clear, however. First, cloud or mesh computing will change the way service providers need to manage networks. With high performance computing backstopping critical consumer and corporate uses — games, virtual world experiences, drug discovery, auto or aerospace design — any disruption would create significant economic losses. The new system will need to have more sophisticated management controls both within networks and, eventually, for users (burstable bandwidth capabilities, such as cosmic ray researchers and Wall St use today).

Ecosystems of applications will very likely require much greater bidirectional communications and a great deal of different management of networks. The move to such ecosystem will require service providers to move beyond the “walled garden,” but still control network behavior, access to services, billing, etc. Some type of “light touch” management will probably result.

Greater functionality in 4G and 5G networks as well as a flood of new bandwidth demand to use mobile applications (I have estimated that this will create a $1.8 trillion market by 2012) will also drive service providers to enhance network management and functionality.

Finally, moving to Web 3.0 via Virtual Worlds, particularly once VW applications can be placed behind the corporate firewall, will open up not only consumer use, but also extensive enterprise use. This will require the backing of networks that can handle lots of interaction for collaborative work, such as the design of new products (autos, planes, new drugs).I believe that there are some significant changes that are not encompassed in the conference outline. What I said was:

In the past year, several transformative changes have affected the Internet. They require a new context for thinking about how the Internet will operate in the future. These changes are:

1. The emergence of cloud or mesh computing
2. The creation of ecosystems of applications (Amazon’s cloud, Google’s ecosystem), computing, and storage that build upon the use of meshed computational and storage capabilities.
3. Greater functionality in 4G and 5G networks and in optical networks that will support the continuous operation of high-speed computing over networks (with optical backplane controls and other “intelligent” capabilities)
4. The beginnings of an evolution to Web 3.0 via Virtual Worlds/
Second Life and the creation of ongoing presence on the Internet.

At the present time, these transformative changes are recognized as having great potential uses, but how they will impact the way we use the Internet is only beginning to be conceptualized. Several things are clear, however. First, cloud or mesh computing will change the way service providers need to manage networks. With high performance computing backstopping critical consumer and corporate uses — games, virtual world experiences, drug discovery, auto or aerospace design — any disruption would create significant economic losses. The new system will need to have more sophisticated management controls both within networks and, eventually, for users (burstable bandwidth capabilities, such as cosmic ray researchers and Wall St use today).

Ecosystems of applications will very likely require much greater bidirectional communications and a great deal of different management of networks. The move to such ecosystem will require service providers to move beyond the “walled garden,” but still control network behavior, access to services, billing, etc. Some type of “light touch” management will probably result.

Greater functionality in 4G and 5G networks as well as a flood of new bandwidth demand to use mobile applications (I have estimated that this will create a $1.8 trillion market by 2012) will also drive service providers to enhance network management and functionality.

Finally, moving to Web 3.0 via Virtual Worlds, particularly once VW applications can be placed behind the corporate firewall, will open up not only consumer use, but also extensive enterprise use. This will require the backing of networks that can handle lots of interaction for collaborative work, such as the design of new products (autos, planes, new drugs).