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.
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.
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.
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Elected ITU officials at 'Minister and CEO Dialog' on |
Green@ICT Pavillion and the show floor |
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.
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Egypt Pavilion at ITU Telecom World 2009 |
Sunil Mittal, chairman and group CEO, Bharti Enterprises |
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.
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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 |
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.
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