This allows groups of people to communicate with one another simultaneously, and gives the opportunity for people to meet electronically.  Teleconferencing can lead to employees in organisations eliminating the need to go into an office at a geographical location other than their home.  Nevertheless this is a topic not without debate as to the socially and economical viability of such a scheme.

Data-conferencing

This is basically teleconferencing which includes two or more people working from one document at different geographical locations.  it gives the ability to read and edit the same document simultaneously.

Groupware

This allows people to to work in groups and to share information by including the necessary software to share, email, hold electronic meetings etc.  Groupware increases the ability to conduct successful group work to the exchange of ideas which is permitted.  The present leading groupware application is that of Lotus Notes from the Lotus Development Corporation.

Electronic Data Interchange

This is the direct computer exchange between two organisations, for example in transferring invoices.  This method of telecommunication is by no means without it benefits.  For example it is very cost effective has it eliminates the manual processes from the transfer equation.  The data is transferred along a network channel straight from one screen to the next rather than have to print and deal with paperwork, not only reducing transaction errors but also reducing costs.  Along with this is the ease of such a system, this gives a firm a competitive advantage with consumers.

It can often be mistaken as to being similar to electronic mail, where it fact it differs considerable.  Electronic Data Interchange allows actual structured documents to be sent and received, where as email only permits unstructured texts.

Electronic Mail

This is the method of transferring messages from one computer to another which is linked to either a modem or a terminal.  Email has its advantages, for example it can lead to the elimination of lengthy long distance telephone calls.  Yet has downfalls such as security problems as the message is transferred along the network.
 

Television Broadcasting

Technological competition has become a major driving force in the communications market, and it is debatable whether consumers are benefiting from this.  Television broadcasting has seen many technological advances in recent years, for example digital television and the ability to send and receive electronic mail via the television set.

Conclusion

To conclude from the information provided it would be fair to state technologies are proceeding at remarkable levels.  It is easy to lose reality to the prospects of such technologies, which in practice will probably see the majority failing.  There are many reasoning for this, for example incorrect timing.

Of all the technologies the one which is continuing to grow is that of the Internet.  New applications of the Internet are being introduced daily.  As long as the internet can cope with the ever increasing amount of traffic, "the Internet will remain the boldest innovation among all communication technologies." Grant (1996:337).  It was Grant who stated in 1996 that time would tell as to whether the Internet is a fad.  Four years on nd the Internet is as prominent a communication technology as ever and continuing to expand.