ITU Telecom World 2006: Global Networking Platform

ITU Telecom World is a global networking platform for the ICT
industry and it was here that the newly merged Alcatel-Lucent Technologies chose
to unveil its new brand identity and mission. A lot many partnerships were
formed and announced during the event. Microsoft and BT announced a deal to
provide IPTV services in the UK; and a pan Asian mobile TV consortium was
hatched between SK Telecom, Toshiba, Global Media Networks, and International
Mobile Broadcasting to provide the first mobile TV roaming service in Asia.
Global research specialists, Yankee Group and Analysys International launched
partnership to offer research that puts the China market in the global scenario.
In addition, Aperto Networks formed a WiSE partnership of 50 companies to drive
WiMAX interoperability.

It was for the first time that ITU Telecom World was held
outside Palexpo, Geneva in Asia World Expo, Hong Kong. This was in response to
demand from ITU members and in recognition of Asia's role in fuelling ICT
growth.

Hosted by the government of the People's Republic of China,
and organized by ITU, the Telecom World 2006 stood out as a premiere
international ICT and networking event of the year. The theme for this year was
"Living the Digital World" and the focus was on exploring current and
future lifestyles and how are they shaping ICT.

Officials hit the button to mark the launch of ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006. From left to right are HKSAR Donald Tsang, China's NPC chairman Wu Bangguo, ITU secretary-general Yoshio Utsumi and Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus		The audience during the Forum opening
China Unicom stand		A snapshot at the Samsung stand

The event started with a glittering opening ceremony on 3rd
December in the presence of His Excellency Wu Bangguo, chairman of the standing
committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of
China; Donald Tsang, chief executive, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;
Yoshio Utsumi, secretary general, ITU; along with Nobel laureate Professor
Muhammed Yunus, founder and MD, Grameen Bank; and a host of other top ICT people
from across the world.

Speaking at the inauguration, Yoshio Utsumi, secretary general,
ITU used the occasion to urge participants at World 2006 to "take up the
collective challenge, not only of growing our vibrant and exciting ICT sector,
but also of working together to extend their benefits to millions of people
currently left behind."

During his opening remarks, Professor Yunus outlined his plans
for a new dynamic partnership between Grameen and ITU, together with Cisco
Systems, Qualcomm and a newly formed consortium, Enclusion to form a virtual,
global ICT Empowerment Network. In a separate announcement, Cisco Systems
announced a pledge of $1 mn to support ICT related micro-financing initiatives
within this empowerment network.

To help make this initiative a success, Grameen will reach out
to more than 3,000 microfinance organizations and 100 mn borrowers worldwide,
while ITU will provide support to its 191 member states and some 650 private
sector members from across the world.

Despite, the event being held outside Palexpo, the event was a
great success as Hong Kong achieved a record number of exhibitors and
participants from across the world. The Telecom World had 695 exhibitors from 37
countries and 61,958 participants from 141 countries. Hong Kong benefited a lot
from the event as over 230 Chinese companies participated in the expo. For the
first time, the Telecom World had product pavilions like Internet pavilion, GPON
pavilion and WiMax pavilion. Apart from this, the expo also had country
pavilions like Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Holland, Finland, France, Germany, Hong
Kong, Iran, Israel, Japan, Korea, Macao, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain,
the UK and USA.

The show floor featured wide range of products and services like
mobile solution and devices, content solutions, Internet, IP communications,
fixed wireless, wireless WAN, IT systems, satellite, hardware, software,
broadband, next generation networks, enterprise solutions, consumer solutions,
components and accessories.

Web-based services and applications such as email on the move,
multi-tasking or teleworking and a full range of location-based services were on
display. Focus was also on mobile broadband to mobile music and TV. Devices were
busy talking to other devices, there were robots, fridges that can communicate,
phones talking to vending machines and others. WiMAX and an array of other
wireless technologies enabling on-the-go broadband access were also on display.

The event witnessed packed show floor and had participants such
as Alcatel-Lucent Technologies, AT&T, China Mobile, China Netcom, China
Telecommunications, China Unicom, Cisco Systems, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Hitachi, HP,
Huawei, IBM, Intel, LG Electronics, Microsoft, Motorola, NEC, Nortel, OKI,
Orange, Qualcomm, Samsung, Siemens, SK telecom, Toshiba, Verizon, ZTE and more.
Notable absentees from the show floor were Nokia.

It is not surprising that in today's world, digital business
is emerging as a big business and is increasing with each passing year. The
clearest evidence for this is at the macro-economic level, where the
contribution of ICTs to the general economy has grown rapidly, regardless of
falling prices. In 2005, The ICT market was worth more than $3 tn worldwide.

The forum at the expo provided a chance to discover how, what,
when, and why the latest ICTs are going to affect our lives. Divided into three
separate domains-digital lifestyle, digital ecosystems, and digital society-the
forum took a 360° approach of technology in every sphere. The digital
ecosystems focused on the supply side of the industry and on the development of
efficient business models whereas the digital society looked at the challenges
for stakeholders in maintaining a transparent regulatory environment to build an
information society. Hot topics included mobile, wireless, broadband,
convergence, next-generation networks, multiple play, on-demand services,
user-generated content and personalized services.

In conjunction with the Forum, ITU organized a one-day event on
"Countering Spam Cooperation Agenda". Key international and regional
organizations participated in the event to discuss greater collaborative efforts
to combat spam and related threats as presently spam contribute around 90% of
email messages.

Another interesting aspect of Telecom World was the Youth Forum
where 240 young people from 131 countries converged and developed mentor
relationships with senior members of the ICT sector-government officials,
industry executives, technology leaders, content providers and strategists.

Innovation was certainly the buzzword in the Digital Life
Theatre (DLT), a dedicated stage where futuristic visions of the digital world
were presented. The themes explored at the DLT included mobile TV, creating a
superior customer experience, digital networking, future communication,
optimizing user experience, and creating, sharing, and distributing content. The
winners of Digital Life are Ericsson (digital life at home), Motorola (digital
life at the office), Lucent Technologies (digital Life in the media of
entertainment), and Teldata (digital life in society).

Despite stiff competition where six countries had applied to
host the world event in 2009, two withdrew their offer during the process. Among
the four finalists-Birmingham (National Exhibition Center), Dubai (Jebel Ali
Exhibition Center), Geneva (Palexpo), and Paris Nord (le Parc des Expositions)-Geneva
won the race for hosting the event. ITU has awarded World 2009 to Geneva in
recognition and acknowledgement of the positive commitments made in their offer.

Pravin Prashant
in Hong Kong

pravinp@cybermedia.co.in