Talent and Technology converge at ITU Telecom World

Three years ago, Bill Gates chose ITU Telecom World as the place to announce Microsoft's engagement with Vodafone to develop location authentication services. At the same conference Carly Fiorina, then the head of HP, spoke about security and Wi-Fi for all. This December the industry's leaders meet again for ITU Telecom World 2006. Some of the industry leaders have changed - three years is a long time in these fast moving businesses. The subjects of interest have certainly changed, as concepts like RFID, home broadband, and mobile TV have become real-life tools of the trade. And the location has changed, to Hong Kong - the first time ITU Telecom World has been held outside its native Geneva, in response to demand from exhibitors and in recognition of Asia's role in today's telecommunications. What stays the same is the fundamental purpose of the event - to enable the world of ICT to make the right connections to drive, unite and improve the industry.

ITU Telecom World is a land of giants. The attendees list reads like an industry who's who: NEC, Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Intel, Alcatel, Hewlett-Packard, Qualcomm, Samsung, Toshiba, Siemens and Motorola and many more as well as the world's policy makers, government ministers, regulators and visionaries from 160 countries. With opportunities to launch technology, debate industry issues, engage with developing nations, tap into R&D and business development budgets, and learn about the future, World 2006 is the industry's global networking platform.

An exhibition? A forum? A meeting place? World 2006 is what you make of it.

ITU Telecom World is the leading industry event for the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry. Held every three years, the five-day event includes a vibrant exhibition, topical forum, Youth Forum, Teleecom Development Symposium, special sessions and roundtables workshops along with numerous networking opportunities . Organized by ITU, the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology (ICT), ITU Telecom World is a vendor-neutral and not-for-profit event that connects the full spectrum of the telecommunications industry.

This year the event will be held at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong from 4-8 December, using every available space at the state-of-the art conference centre. ITU Telecom World was established in 1971 to bring together all players of the ICT sector to learn about the latest ICT industry trends and technology solutions and to debate, discuss and analyse key issues affecting the future development of ICT. This aim has remained unchanged and over the past 9 occasions of the world event, ITU Telecom has attracted more than 800'000 visitors and over 6'000 exhibitors globally. This year 600 exhibitors are expected to take part along with up to 50'000 trade visitors from 160 countries and 2'000 VIPs from 150 countries.

A Truly Global Event

Other events attract segmented or regional audiences. ITU Telecom World has become the one occasion that the world of telecommunications converges under one very large roof. ITU Telecom World is attended by the leading major names as well as new entrants to the market. Telecom World is a neutral platform, open to all segments of the industry (OEMs, operators, service providers), of all sizes, for all technologies and from all levels of development. The event plays host to a wide variety of participants in terms of geographical origin with 18 per cent from Europe, 20 per cent from The Americas, 60 per cent from Middle East and Asia and 2 per cent from Africa.

In addition, to record and engage with the delegates, one thousand accredited media will be attending from 500 media organizations.

What's new?

The announcements scheduled for release at the event are cloaked in secrecy. New technologies, new initiatives and new partnerships are expected to be launched during Telecom World 2006. The theme of the event is "Living the Digital World" with a focus on how people live, work, play and communicate with technology. The opening ceremony on 3 December kicks off a hectic schedule of events, networking opportunities, and special sessions and workshops that include:

CEO's have their say - A rare occasion for the industry's figureheads to share knowledge and debate the future. Speakers at the CEO roundtable at the Forum, which will take place on 4 December, include Carl-Henric Svanberg, President & CEO, Ericsson; Ki-Tae Lee, President, Samsung; Sanjiv Ahuja, CEO, Orange and Kaoru Yano, President, NEC Corp

Five day Forum - Throughout the five day event, the ITU Telecom World Forum will provide a programme of industry-critical debate and discussion, focusing on trends shaping the future of ICT and examining key growth areas such as new wireless services, triple play and digital content. Sessions are split into three different domains: Digital Lifestyles, Digital Ecosystems, and Digital Society. Speakers this year include John Chambers, CEO, Cisco Systems; Serge Tchuruk, Chairman and CEO, Alcatel; Kaoru Yano, President, NEC Corporation, Patricia Russo, Chairman and CEO, Lucent, Masao Nakamura, President and CEO, NTTDoCoMo and Dan Elron, Managing Partner, Communications Industry, Accenture.

Forum coffee breaks are provided twice a day for 20 minutes and are recognised as key networking opportunities attracting leading industry figures. Sponsored by HP, these informal events are open to all participants.

Indeed, Telecom World 2006 benefits from a number of key event sponsorships including, amongst others, The People's Republic of China, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region who are supporting the Youth Forum.

Tomorrow's ICT visionaries - The six day Youth Forum draws together forward-thinking university students from all over the world with the talent and vision to take on future key ICT leadership roles. In its fifth year, the Youth Forum is attended by young people selected through an essay competition and funded to attend the event and the training sessions. This year's Youth Forum will attract over 250 young people from more than 150 countries. Starting on December 3 and finishing on December 8, participants will follow a challenging programme of events with opportunities to interact and develop mentor relationships with senior members of the ICT community, focusing on skills to help their countries bridge the Digital Divide and benefit from a Digital Economy. At the end of the week participants will draft and present a 'Declaration and Action plan' conveying their global vision for expanding the benefits of ICT. This year the Youth Forum is sponsored by The People's Republic of China, the host country of ITU Telecom World 2006.

Bringing the world together - Considered a key components of the event, Telecom Development Symposium (TDS) will run from 5 to 7 December . Bringing together people from the world's least developed and lowest income countries, the three day symposium, sponsored by Cisco Systems, focuses not just on technological issues, but also on the policy, regulatory and managerial aspects. The TDS helps participants improve their knowledge of the industry and gives them an opportunity to discuss and share concerns and experience on problems and issues with their fellow participants. By involving the participation of industry experts, policy makers, operators and regulators, the TDS helps promote high level networking, knowledge sharing and cross-fertilization.

This year the TDS will examine the possibilities around deploying Next Generation Networks (NGN) and the potential for positive impact on these countries' socio-economic development. Participants, including managers working in policy making, regulation, planning or operations in the world's ICT authorities of ITU member states, will attend workshops to learn about the latest developments in ICT and apply it to their own development plans.

Business takes the stage - The Digital Life Theatre has been set up to provide a stage dedicated to commercial presentations reflecting the 'Living the Digital World' theme. Conveniently located in Hall 9, close to the Telecom Village, the Digital Life Theatre provides a unique opportunity for participating companies to unveil their plans for products, services and innovations and bring them to life in front of an audience of peers, legislators and customers. ITU Telecom is a global showcase of talent and technology. The Digital Life Theatre will provide visitors with a look at the future.

For the first time this year ITU has launched a Digital Life Theatre competition in the run up to the event, inviting companies to outline their visions for the future in the digital age. The competition winners will have their multimedia presentations displayed as part of the Digital Life Theatre in the Exhibition.

Coming Home to the Telecom Village - The Telecom Village lies at the heart of the exhibition show floor, providing a professional environment where companies can set up their own office suites, conduct business, network and meet other people. There is ample opportunity for companies to focus on business in a relaxed environment with restaurants, lounges and public areas where organizations can showcase their business capabilities, seal business deals and maximize their event presence.

Near and Far Pavilions - ITU Telecom World has traditionally hosted pavilions from countries around the world. An important part in the overall success of the event, the pavilions provide participation opportunities under individual country flags allowing organizations immediate national recognition.

In addition, the 'nations' of WiMAX, the Internet and G-PON will each be staging their own pavilions, to present their combined expertise and insight into the world's hottest technology issues.

Are you going?

The combination of the people you meet, the industry insight and the first look at ground-breaking technology, makes ITU Telecom World is a unique global networking platform. The event attracts the world's most influential names across the ICT industry and provides a priceless platform for the most innovative minds across the industry to network, brainstorm on policies, technologies and ideas that will shape the nature, direction and future of ICT.