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Connect Minds

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VoicenData Bureau
New Update

The ITU Telecom World 2009 brought the shutters down in Geneva with the focus

on harnessing the power of technology to enhance our global well-being and the

information and communication technology industry's needs and realities. This

year, the theme of the event was 'Open Network-Connected Minds'. The theme

highlighted the importance of the ITU Telecom World 2009 in the development of

the telecommunications and ICT industries.

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The event highlighted the reach and role of telecommunication and ICT in

areas of societal changes such as digital divide, climate change, and disaster

relief. With its focus on development opportunities the event brought together

corporate social responsibility and displayed cases of industry best practices.

ITU elected officials at ITU Telecom World 2009

Over 2,250 dignitaries, including UN secretary general, Ban Ki Moon; ITU

secretary general, Hamadoun Toure; heads of state; heads of government; heads of

regulatory agencies; and CEOs from around the world came together for the event,

which featured a series of top level round tables, meetings and brainstorming

debates on the role of ICT in addressing many of the hottest issues.

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Dr Hamadoun Toure, ITU secretary general at ITU

Telecom World 2009

Hamadoun Toure, ITU secretary general in his welcome note said, "We are

coming to developed countries with a begging bowl, but with proposals which will

work for the benefit of all." He called upon the charity world to move beyond

charity/aid, roll up its sleeves, get to work, and make business happen.

Ban Ki Moon, UN secretary general in his address spoke about the importance

of ICTs in tackling core global issues, such as climate change, and called for

participants to use ICTs creatively to usher in green economy and drive progress

in improving lives of those in need.

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Constructive forums



Exhibition halls were also the center of attraction for all visitors.

Exhibitions comprised a vibrant show floor with the latest innovation in ICT-from

broadband and IP enabled services, to mobile and wireless technologies, next

generation networks and satellite and much more-spanning full reach of the ICT

industry.

Forums like the telecommunication development symposium and youth forum have

created a platform for constructive debate, exchange of ideas, showcasing new

technologies, business models and policy. These forums brought together players

from across the ICT sector to discuss areas such as cyber security, new

technologies shaping up the future of ICT, and the challenges of regulation in

the fast changing environment. For the first time, forum sessions were webcast

live to a global audience, allowing many people to share their views in the

debate.

Elected ITU officials at 'Minister and CEO Dialog' on

shaping public policy

Green@ICT Pavillion and the show floor

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Main Attractions



The major attraction of the event was video message from Nelson Mandela,

former president of Republic of South Africa at the finale, who advised that "ICTs

are the single most powerful tool we have for human progress." He urged

participants to support efforts to connect the world and bridge the digital

divide.

On this occasion, ITU revealed rapid ICT growth in many regions

including-mobile cellular subscription, fixed and mobile broadband, and TV and

computer penetration-with mobile technology acting as key drivers.

Egypt Pavilion at ITU Telecom World 2009

Sunil Mittal, chairman and group CEO, Bharti Enterprises

exchange views with Robert Conway, CEO and member of board during the head

of states with CEO roundtable

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The ITU data, forecast, and analysis on the global ICT market show that

mobile growth is continuing unabated, with global mobile subscription expected

to reach 4.6 bn by the end of the year, and mobile broadband subscription to top

600 mn in 2009.

The report also shows that mobile technologies are making major inroads

towards extending ICTs in developing countries, with a number of nations

launching and commercially offering IMT2000/3G network and services. But the

statistics also highlight important regional discrepancies with mobile broadband

penetration rates are still low in many African countries and other developing

nations.

Robert Hensler, state chancelor of Geneva; Jafari, chairman

of board of ITU Telecom; Hamadoun Toure, seretary general, ITU ; Houlin Zao,

ITU, deputy secretary general discussing the future of ITU Telecom
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Ninteen CTOs from some of the world's key ICT players have called upon ITU to

provide a lead in an overhaul of the global ICT standardization landscape. The

CTOs agreed on a set of recommendations and actions that will better address the

evolving needs of a fast-moving industry, facilitate the launch of new products,

services, and applications, promote cost-effective solutions, combat climate

change, and address the needs of developing countries regarding greater

inclusion in standard development.

The ITU Telecom World has also showcased advanced system against global cyber

attacks at the ITU/IMPACT stand in the exhibition. Last year, the ITU signed an

MoU with IMPACT at the ITU Telecom 2008. The ITU and IMPACT are working together

with partners from across the industry, including F-Secure, Arbor Networks,

Kaspersky Labs.

Meanwhile, VNL announced its green initiatives for mobile operators. The

company has announced the first commercial deployment of its zero-opex solar

powered GSM, designed to help mobile operators build sustainable networks in

remote areas. VNL's world GSM has been installed in more than fifty villages in

rural Rajasthan.

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Radio pioneer, Alexander Popov was also honored at the ITU Telecom World

2009. Toure unveiled a plaque at the ITU headquarter to commemorate the ground

breaking work of Russian physicist and radio communications pioneer Alexander

Stepanovich Popov.

The ITU is also encouraging its member states to adopt school-based community

broadband plans to bring ICT access to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. The

ITU effort was endorsed by UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon at the event. The

initiatives aim to facilitate public private partnership that will help member

states establish school based ICT centers.

The financial crisis has failed to make a major dent on demand for ICT

services, with mobile and satellite sectors providing resilient services, and

consumer demands for high-speed fixed and mobile connections continuing to fuel

growth in broadband subscriptions in major markets worldwide. These are some of

the findings of the second edition of the ITU report on the role of ICTs in the

financial crisis launched at the ITU Telecom World 2009. Entitled as

'Confronting the Crisis', the report argues that the ICT sector has a major role

to play in generating economic growth and stimulating the global financial

recovery across all commercial and industrial sectors.

With the world in the grip of financial crisis and the slowdown, the ITU

Telecom World 2009 provided a unique platform for the ICT industry, as well top

level policy makers and regulators to address the current issues and seek a way

forward.

Arpita Prem



arpitap@cybermedia.co.in

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