4.3.3 Shrinking world - communications

Content

Geographic inquiry and concept(s)
- How political, technological and physical processes influence global interactions
Geographic knowledge and understanding
- Our 'shrinking world' and the forces driving technological innovation: changing global data flow patterns and trends
- Our 'shrinking world' and the forces driving technological innovation: patterns and trends in communication infrastructure and use
Case study or detailed examples
- Neither required by the syllabus
Aims of this lesson
- To be able to describe and explain the changing global data flow patterns and trends.
- To be able to describe and explain the patterns and trends in communication infrastructure focusing on undersea telecommunication cables.
- To be able to describe and explain how technological innovations have created a ‘shrinking world’.

Project Waterworth, which involves cable longer than Earth’s circumference, to also reach South Africa and Brazil

The Guardian · 17 February 2025

Bandwidth
- The maximum amount of data transmitted over an internet connection in a given amount of time.

Fibre optics
- The technology used to transmit information as pulses of light through strands of fibre made of glass or plastic over long distances.

Undersea communications cable
- A cable laid on the sea bed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea.

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Analyse how developments in transport and communications technology have contributed to a perception of a 'shrinking world'. [12]
Improvements in communications technology will inevitably accelerate globalisation. To what extent do you agree with this statement? [16]