COVID-19 has reminded us this last year just how important telecommunications is, to keep us connected, to share information, and to spend quality time with the people that matter to us.
COVID-19 has reminded us this last year just how important telecommunications is, to keep us connected, to share information, and to spend quality time with the people that matter to us.
Many of us are using Zoom now, so we know what fatigue feels like - a condition caused by delays on the conference, talking over other people and seeming rude, and feeling like you're always on show, reducing the feeling of privacy.
We also miss the ability to have more than one person speaking at the same time - we like to make agreeing or disagreeing noises to give feedback. On Zoom and other video conference solutions, this blocks the other person from speaking.
So where does Zoom shine? It's great when you are giving a presentation, or speaking to a subject where you don't wish to be interrupted. You can manage questions at the end in an organised manner, handing over the floor without interruptions
A phone call works much better when you are discussing things with a team, and people may want to interrupt with a valuable point, or help steer the discussion in real-time.
Phone calls also work well for conversation - where two or more people have a fluid discussion with no set direction, rather than each participant holding the floor for a 'set piece' then handing over to someone else
We like mixing phone calls with Zoom meetings - we handle the visual side on Zoom, so we can see each other, and any slides that are shared, and use phone calls for the audio for better audio quality, low latency, and the ability to have multiple speakers live at the same time, even if that's just to make encouaging 'mmm-hmm' noises during the call.
Communications is vital for work, play and connection, and technology has come a long way since the first World Telecoms Day in 1969. It's clear that the innovation is speeding up now, not slowing down.
Take a look at the International Telecommunications Union's (ITU) short video for today's celebrations, showing the innovative ways telecoms helped everything from schooling to medicine this year.