By SAMSON AKINTARO
Come October 12, the world will be converging again, this time around on Budapest, the capital of Hungary, for another passionate debates centred on innovative solutions, strategies, policies etc, to drive economic growth for all nations. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom World 2015, promises to open doors of opportunities for individuals, businesses and countries that will attend as the forum focuses on bridging connectivity gap across the world and economic development through encouragement of tech start-ups.
According to ITU, A range of hot topics, including the Internet of Things (IoT); 5G mobile technologies; fostering ICT start-ups, entrepreneurs and innovation; developing cloud infrastructure; attracting investment; and tackling questions around the creation of the European digital market, will feature at ITU Telecom World 2015, in Budapest.
The global ICT innovation event is an Exhibition for digital solutions, a Forum for sharing knowledge and a Networking hub for governments, industry and academia. Its aim is to help ideas go further, faster and to promote the innovative, transformative ICT-enabled solutions that will make the world better, sooner.
Through an interactive programme of debates, ITU said the Forum will tackle central issues affecting the ICT ecosystem today, opening with a top-level Leadership Summit on accelerating digital innovation for social impact. Discussions comprise panel debates, workshops, high-level round tables and keynotes, grouped around three main tracks:
Expanding access to digital opportunity
This will focus on overcoming the digital divide in access, content and data through innovative connectivity solutions, new regulatory approaches, monetizing big data, creating the infrastructure for cloud and attracting investment.
Building trust for a connected future
This looks at how to establish trust between consumers, industry and government to realize the potential of the digital economy, from the technological possibilities of security applications to consumer trust in services and applications, international collaboration to protect against cyber threats and innovative trust and security hubs.
Accelerating digital transformation
Discussions for this group starts from new developments in 5G mobile or international standards and regulation in the Internet of Things to exploring how to bridge the innovation divide, how emerging markets can work to foster digital entrepreneurship, and establishing regional single digital markets.
“The Forum’s world-class debate programme highlights new partnerships, new solutions and new approaches to innovation, as well as exploring the critical role of small and medium businesses (SMEs), start-ups, entrepreneurs, technology hubs and accelerators in driving innovation and ensuring sustainable, inclusive economic growth throughout the ICT ecosystem,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. “Through the influential and diverse audience it convenes, and an inspirational debate agenda, the Forum at ITU Telecom World 2015 promises to be the pre-eminent platform for leaders to inspire and be inspired, and for innovative solutions to be shared.”
Alongside the Forum, the event also comprises an Exhibition for digital solutions from emerging and developed markets, showcasing the smartest ideas and entrepreneurial spirit of start-ups from countries, regions and top industry names from across the world, plus a host of key networking opportunities.
Nigeria’s Participation
Nigeria has been a regular participant at ITU World events over the years with quality representatives and delegates from within the public and organised private sector. For this year’s ITU Telecom World in Budapest, the country has already set machineries in motion for participation by constituting a committee to put together plans for Nigeria’s participation. The committee, as announced recently, is made up of officials of Ministry of Communications Technology, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Galaxy Backbone, Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NigComSat), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), and Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) among others.
According to a statement by the Chairman, Media and Publicity sub-Committee and Director, Public Affairs NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, Nigeria wants to make a big statement in this year’s participation when a large number of SMEs will be on ground to dwell around the theme of this year’s event: ‘Innovation to Make Lives Better and Faster’.
Nigeria’s participation will build on the reality that regulatory robustness has led to a spiral growth in voice telephony and look beyond that by coming out with innovative products to improve the lives of the citizens. ITU on its part has listed five key reasons why countries, individuals, corporate organisations should participate in the Hungary event.
Besides exceptional knowledge sharing and opportunities, ITU Telecom World 2015 will focus on accelerating innovation and growth of SMEs and innovative networking opportunities. Of particular interest is the role SMEs play in driving national economies. One of the key concerns of the Hungarian government is to provide a balanced and predictable business environment where SMEs can easily find support or exploit business opportunities. This is what the country wants to share with participants in Budapest, Ojobo said.
Ojobo added that the Nigerian SME ecosystem would be guided by the experience they share through ITU Telecom World 2015 from October 12-15, 2015. “The event will focus on the crucial role of innovation and entrepreneurship in the fast growing ICT ecosystem, covering a broad-based international audience with specific outreach to SMEs and start-ups from across the world, as well as leading global Information and Communications Technology (ICT) players, policy makers, regulators, industry experts and investors.
ITU Telecom World events bring together a uniquely comprehensive audience of public and private sector players at the highest level. Heads of State and Government, ministers, policy makers and regulators meet industry CEOs from operators, vendors, service providers and content developers, thought-leaders, academics and UN Agency heads on a wider scale than at any other industry event.