WHAT IS ITU TELECOM?

ITU Telecom is a part of the ITU (International Telecommunication Union), the United Nations Agency for telecommunications and ICT. As well as organizing events for the ICT and telecommunications community, ITU has a number of other key roles, such as the management of radio frequency spectrum, the development of global telecommunications standards or helping the development of ICTs in emerging economies.

ITU has a broad-based membership, which includes: 192 Member States and over 560 Sector Members

Membership represents a wide range of organizations with an interest in ICT and telecommunications, including all the major players in service provision, equipment manufacturing, and network and radio infrastructure design.

WHAT HAPPENS AT AN ITU TELECOM EVENT?

In essence, ITU Telecom events provide a networking platform for the global ICT community. Top names from both government and industry from across the globe come together, take part in topical debate in the Forum, and make new contacts for advancing the sector. The events also feature a range of other activities, such as the Youth Forum, high-level networking functions, dinners, cocktails and more!

HOW DO THEY DIFFER FROM OTHER BIG ICT EVENTS?

ITU Telecom events are unique in a number of ways, including...

High quality of professionals and participants. Event participants represent a full spectrum of the telecommunications / ICT industry, from ministers and regulators to CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. Only at an ITU Telecom event can you find such a diverse and valuable set of participants. Because of this, the scope for meeting, networking and getting business done is unrivalled.

ITU is a part of the United Nations. Telecom events are organized by ITU – the UN agency for telecommunications. Our mandate is truly global and, as well as organizing global events for the ICT and telecommunications community, we also carry out vital work within the field of telecommunications. These include the management of radio frequency spectrum- a core and finite resource, and the development of global telecommunications standards, shaping the communication networks of today and tomorrow. ITU also runs a number of initiatives underpinning the growth of ICTs in emerging economies. These initiatives span areas from the provision of training for regulators in newly liberalized markets to the establishment of multipurpose community telecentres in rural, isolated or poorly served areas. Additionally, ITU also provides policy advice, achieved through research and analysis, to identify emerging trends in the telecommunications environment and their implications for government and industry.

ITU is a non-profit making organization. Any surplus or donation from ITU Telecom events is put into a special ICT Development Fund. In recent years these funds have provided a range of benefits to developing countries. Projects include training and capacity building community learning labs, international NGN testing centres and projects supporting harmonization of ICT policies. Projects impact on various user groups and in various contexts, including instances of disaster relief with provisions of emergency telecommunications. As one example, ICT equipment and facilities such as cybercafes and Braille printers have been provided to enhance accessibility and extend the reach of ICT benefits to people with disabilities including in rural areas, enabling better access to education, employment, health services and business opportunities.  By participating ITU Telecom events, participants are helping promote and support the development of telecommunications and deployment of new ICT technologies across the globe.

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WHO NORMALLY PARTICIPATES AT THE EVENTS?

ITU Telecom events are characterized by a diverse set of participants. Organizations with a physical presence onsite include a combination of the big global names; from mobile operators to vendors, Internet, hardware and satellite providers. Alongside globally recognized names, you can also expect a presence of smaller, innovative new market entrants. National and regional pavilions provide the perfect opportunity for fast-growing regional ICT companies to showcase their latest products and services.

WHO USUALLY ATTENDS THE EVENTS?

Our events are about knowledge-sharing and networking. Participants are drawn from government as well as industry, and feature key players from the region and from across the globe. The high quality of our event attendees offer promising contacts to be made and enable key strategic partnerships to be formed.

At our most recent World event in 2009, for example, participants from across a range of different companies and related fields attended. These spanned operators, service providers, systems integrators and manufacturers to regulators, media and banking and finance. And, at our last World event, over 60% of the visitors had purchasing power. So, participants come prepared and ready to do business!

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT WAYS I CAN TAKE PART?

Participation can take many different forms, and can be tailored to meet the exact needs and requirements of your company.

• A physical presence, for example, provides the perfect opportunity to establish offices and hospitality suites onsite which participants use for key meetings and launching latest products and services.
• The Forum brings together key industry players to take part in timely discussion and debate to help shape the future of the industry. Interested parties can take part in the debate in any of the Forum sessions. Potential high-level speakers are considered through a call for nominations process.
• In addition, a wide range of other onsite services and social events offer participants unrivalled opportunities for meeting, networking and getting business done at the event.
• Extend your company’s visibility further. Consider one of the many diverse sponsorship opportunities ranging from event registration to USB keys and much more.

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WHAT IS THE FORUM?

A Forum is held at each of our events. It brings together high-level speakers from both industry and government, together with participants drawn from across the reach of the ICT industry.
The Forum provides a unique platform for the sharing of ideas from all sectors of the telecommunications and ICT industries - policy, regulatory, economic and development issues - to meet the challenge of strengthening and expanding the reach of ICTs worldwide.

HOW CAN ONE PARTICIPATE IN THE FORUM AS A SPEAKER OR MODERATOR OR PROPOSE A SPEAKER?

We are always pleased to hear from companies wishing to propose high-level speakers within our Forum programme. A call for nominations process is implemented for each event; deadlines for submissions vary and details should be consulted on the event website.

HOW TO TAKE PART IN UPCOMING EVENTS

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