These days we can get almost anything online; the level of online trade and economic activity has risen year on year since the internet first became a feature in our lives way back in the 90s. But how long before we can go completely digital in all aspects of our lives, and which parts of the world are best set up to be the first to go completely digital?

Internet speed is essential in getting this right, and there is a lot to be considered, but let’s look at different location types and asses how they are set up in going fully digital.

Major Cities

Major cities are a prime candidate for the full digital experience, and the faster the internet speed, the better. The fact that they have the largest density of population means that it is more cost-effective to put the resources in place due to the higher number of customers taking up services. High-speed broadband connections were first made available in the most prominent areas. Also, for delivery firms’ new technologies such as drones can service a high enough level of customers to be profitable enough to pay for their development. However, a potential downside to one digital technology in busy cities could be driverless cars, as they have much more traffic to contend with.

Rural Areas

Rural areas will have challenges compared to the urban ones we've just mentioned. The slower roll-out of high-speed internet and a more dispersed population will make these areas less attractive to tech firms looking to offer things like 1-hour grocery deliveries etc. The one downside we mentioned for big cities, the driverless car, it might be easier to try this on the quieter roads that the countryside offers?

Large Countries

Large countries bring their own challenges as the infrastructure needs are so much higher, and the extent that this will affect depends significantly on the set-up of the country. Some large nations, such as the USA, are relatively wealthy all over, and others have greater wealth inequality. But the emergence of mobile internet without the need for cables is a great leveler; in Africa, you can get cellular data in areas that don't even have telephone cables or even electricity in all places. You can make a bitcoin purchase in India just as easily as in the USA.

Smaller Nations

Smaller nations have a significant advantage in setting up digital networks. The key here is that there is less distance to send data over, meaning lower set-up costs and lower maintenance as well.

Remote Places

What about remote places? If we think about the Pacific Island Nations, for example. Such places would find it particularly challenging to set up an online connection; the traditional data cables would need to be laid under the sea, which would be hugely expensive. Satellite internet is another possibility, again very expensive. But, the remote nature of these nations probably means that being connected to the rest of the world would have more significant significance for them. It's going to come, but these places are sadly bound to be amongst the last to be truly connected.