The Internet economy: towards a better future

Millions of people now use the Internet for everything from doing homework to buying books, or playing or downloading games, music and movies. What is perhaps less apparent is that Internet-based applications underlie major advances in science, business organization, environmental monitoring, transport management, education and e-government. The creativity and innovation being fostered across a range of areas is impressive, but so too are the daunting challenges for privacy and security in an Internet-centric world. Nowadays it is difficult to think of a policy domain that is not affected by the Internet. Whereas separate and distinct networks (data, video, telephony) once provided critical communication functions, these infrastructures are now converging towards the Internet. Now peoples' expectations of the Internet and what it can deliver are higher than ever and are likely to go on growing.