Information Technology

Fast-paced development

Konrad Zuse finished work on his Z1 model, the first electrically driven mechanical computer, in 1938. This computer offered limited programming options and read commands from punch tape.

People first started speaking of Information and Communication Technology, abbreviated as ICT, at the beginning of the 1980s. Work on digitalising telephone networks had already started at that time. Information Technology was being used more and more, with services such as teletext and screen text being offered.

Another decade later, on 30 April 1993, the “World Wide Web” was released for general use. At that time, very few people realised how very important the Internet would become in modern society.

Today, every household is part of a network, and we cannot imagine life without modern Information and Communication Technology. Transmission rates of up to 10 GB are currently regarded as standard.

But the demand for speed is constantly increasing. Within a few years, the capacities of traditional forms of transmission will have reached their limits and will have to be replaced by ultrarapid optical signal transmission. 40 GB is currently being discussed as the next step for Ethernet LANs. Optoelectronic components reaching speeds of 100 GB and more are already being developed.

Global communication: One of VCC’s investment markets.