How have advances in telecommunications & the rise of the internet affected the standard of living in the U.S?

It has improved life tremendously. There are of course some drawbacks, but, it has proven to have increased the lively hood of our citizens for the better. In some states, EMS personnel are now using a device which sends a patients information directly to the hospital that the patient is being transported to. This gives the hospital time to prepare for whatever ails the patient, thus leading to faster medical treatment.