Introduction
The International Telecommunication Union organized a side event on
International Standards and Sustainable Green & Innovative Power Solutions to bring Broadband Internet Connectivity to Rural and Remote Areas taking place on 22 June 2021 from 12h00 to 13h00 CEST. The side event was held during the
Ministerial Thematic Forums for the High-level Dialogue on Energy, 21-25 June 2021.
Electricity is needed for most Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), from recharging devices, powering mobile base stations, to running data centres. Energy is essential for the information and communication technology sector to help connect the world’s people and deliver the benefits of ICTs. Access to reliable and affordable electricity remains a major constraint especially in the world’s LDCs, where people stand to benefit most from the opportunities of ICTs, but where grid electricity is rare and incomes low. Electricity networks may also be leveraged to extend broadband backbones. Infrastructure sharing and re-use can be an important tool to save costs and expand services, highlighting the importance of cooperation between ICT and energy sectors and in particular for power line communications (PLC). At the same time, innovations in ICTs help build sustainable supply of electricity, which is vital to address the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.
Objectives
The objectives of this session are to:- Discuss the importance of energy for ICTs, including for the ITU/UNICEF Giga initiatives, which aims at connecting every school in the world to the Internet by 2030.
- Highlight ITU’s work on developing greener ICTs, green communities and smart grids that can build more controllable and efficient energy systems and reduce carbon emissions.
- Showcase ITU’s standards and sustainable and innovative power solutions for connectivity, to upgrade networks and integrate modern and more energy-efficient networks. This includes wireless electricity and more efficient working methods that can be used to replace or displace higher energy consuming technologies.
Programme
12:00 – 12:55
| Session on International Standards and Sustainable Green & Innovative Power Solutions to bring Broadband Internet Connectivity to Rural and Remote Areas
Moderator: Reyna Ubeda, International Telecommunication Union: ITU,
providing Sustainable Green &
Innovative Power Solutions
worldwide [Presentation]
Speakers:
- Alexis Mutware, Director of Energy at Rwanda Utility Reugulatory Authorithy (RURA): Improving electricity access in Rwanda [Presentation]
- Vida Rozite, Programme Manager, International Energy Agency (IEA):
- Paolo Gemma, Chairman, Working Party 2, ITU-T Study Group 5: Environment, climate change and circular economy: The role of International Standards to
provide Sustainable Green & Innovative Power Solutions [Presentation] - Charlotte Aubin, Green Wish Group
Questions & Answers
|
12:55 – 13:00
| Closing Remarks
- Reyna Ubeda, International Telecommunication Union
|
