Digital nomads on the rise

Thanks to the mainstream popularity of mobile broadband, more and more people are shifting into the life of a digital nomad.

Millions have been liberated from tiny office cubicles and future back problems as more and more people transfer their work stations to virtually…everywhere! With a laptop and a cellular phone in hand, work gets done easily even if the employee is out of the office, in an airplane, or at his own bed. Talk about total convenience.

The plummeting cost of mobile broadband (like GPRS and 3G) as well as the competitive prices of hardware proved to be the main reason for the growing number of digital nomads. Digital nomads are workers with no fixed base but able to be productive wherever they park their laptop. It can surely save time, money and energy if one can bring his office work anywhere. Especially, if you are into forex trading.

“During 2007 there was a fundamental change in how mobile network operators charge for data services. Flat-rate low cost tariffs were introduced and mobile broadband prices halved,” says industry watcher Matt Hatton of Analysys Mason in an interview with U.K. based Times Online.

And it’s not only digital (or technical) nomads who will benefit from the luxury of working “anywhere”, laptop manufacturers also hit a jackpot.  Late last year, computer manufacturer Dell predicted that these nomads will drive laptop sales to over one billion within the next five years. It also means that users will be expecting better performance of laptops and notebooks.

However, being a digital nomad has some disadvantages too such as being isolated from your office mates. Though you are connected through the internet with colleagues or business associates, still, in-person collaboration is missing. A true-blue digital nomad confessed that no amount of conference calls, instant message sessions or e-mails can substitute interpersonal communication.

Another disadvantage is working in unsuitable areas. What if you have a conference call but you are seated in a noisy café? You cannot simply tell the regulars to shut up so you can hear clearly right? Or let’s say that you were at home at the time of call but your kids are playing too loudly? These are the challenges of doing office work outside the office.

But not to worry. Even U.S.’ man of the hour, President Barack Obama is seen as a digital nomad. He carries a blackberry. His official bomb-proof car as well as the Air Force One are all computerized and wirelessly connected as mobile offices. Or let’s just say that all presidents elected in the 20^th century and beyond were all and will become digital nomads.

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