A transformation is occurring that should greatly(1)living standards in the developing world. Places that(2)recently were deaf and dumb are rapidly acquiring up-to-date telecommunications that will let them(3)both internal and foreign investment. It may take a decade for many developing countries to improve transportation, power supplies, and other(4). Yet a single(5)fiber with a(6)of less than half a/an(7)can carry more information than a large cable made of copper wires. Many developing countries are planning to invest vast sum of money(8)their telecommunications networks to allow them to compete,(9)the transfer of information, with developed countries. How fast these nations should push ahead is a matter of debate.
China is making one of the boldest leaps(10)carefully weighing costs and choosing(11)technologies. Over the next decade, it plans to pour some $100 billion into telecommunications equipment.(12)China’s backwardness is an advantage, because the expansion occurs(13)new technologies are becoming cheaper than copper wire systems. By the end of 1995, each of China’s(14)capitals except for Tibet will have digital(15)and other latest wireless transmission system. This means that major cities are getting the basic(16)to become major parts of the information superhighway, allowing people to(17)on to the most advanced services available.
Telecommunications is also a key(18)Shanghai’s ambition of becoming a top financial center. To offer peak performance in providing the electronic data and paperless trading, Shanghai plans to be as electronically advanced (19)the City of New York.
Some experts fear(20)that some developing countries are trying to do(21)too soon. Vietnam,(22)particular,(23)being extremely underdeveloped and lacking enough telephones of any type, is determined to contribute more money to the most expensive, newest technologies to keep(24)with anyone in Asia.
Thailand is also turning to wireless, as a way to allow Thais to make better use of all the time they spend(25)in traffic. Mobile phones have become the(26)among businesspeople, who can remain in contact despite the traffic jams.
For countries that have lagged behind for so long, the temptation to move ahead in one jump is hard to(27). And (28)the mistakes they’ll make, they’ll persist —(29)one day they can cruise alongside Americans and Western Europeans(30)the information super highway.