Despite the rush of excitement with all the virtual ribbon-cutting for 5G services, being a telecoms operator these days is not a joyful affair – especially when compared to the glory times of 20 years ago. Accelerating cycles of investment in ever new Gs, coupled with the thirst of many governments for money from spectrum auctions to fill holes in …
There is no doubt that the near-instant ability to access or process data is completely changing the way we work, consume, organise and socialise. More and more of the global population are becoming connected to the internet, giving them access to goods, services and information on demand. Whilst the growth of connected users has been rapid, corresponding efforts to understand …
Digital technologies are all too often seen as being neutral and value free, and with a power of their own to transform the world. However, even a brief reflection indicates that this taken-for-granted assumption is fundamentally flawed. Technologies are created by people, who have very specific interests, and they construct or craft them for particular purposes, more often than not …
How does a South African startup providing Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for smart homes, factories and cities find funding, scale up its business and establish itself internationally? How does a team of young tech entrepreneurs make good on their dream of solving issues such as water and energy efficiency, security and connectivity, to improve life not just in South …
ITU Telecom World events are focused on the power of meaningful technology to improve lives everywhere, making life better, sooner – by working together across sectors, regions and international boundaries. Technology, and innovation in technology, has always driven human development. With the advent of the digital age, the pace of innovation and the technological change it brings is advancing at …
From a world-first in-ear sound tracking solution letting you enjoy music safely, to a citizens’ engagement platform in Southern Africa, an app helping healthcare teams monitor sick children and innovative solutions in education, agriculture, virtual reality and automotive repair – technological ingenuity and business acumen address real-world social issues at the ITU Telecom World Awards. Open to all exhibiting or …
What a year it’s been for us here at ITU Telecom! 2018 saw us heading to the vibrant coastal city of Durban, in South Africa’s beautiful KwaZulu Natal. Here we welcomed 3 100 participants from 94 countries for ITU Telecom World 2018. Top government representatives and influential industry leaders including established players and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) -from emerging …
The huge potential of digital innovation across a range of new technologies is undeniable – as is the central role of entrepreneurs, innovators and the investors supporting them, in exploiting these opportunities. The Opportunity Enabled by the digital economy, the start-ups proliferating globally will account for more than 60% of GDP (US $90+ trillion, 2018 $87.5 trillion) within a few …
Critical to the continued success of the ICT sector is the need to narrow the trust deficit between the four critical stakeholders of the sector – the policy maker, the regulator, the private sector and civil society. In an ideal world, these stakeholders work harmoniously to ensure that the sector continues to invest to extend network coverage where it is …
Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) play an increasingly important role in the telecommunications industry. ITU News recently caught up with Sasaki Futoshi, Deputy General Manager, Strategy and Business Development, MVNO at Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ), about the opportunities for MVNOs in Asia and beyond. Mr. Futoshi will speak at ITU’s “Rise of the MVNOs – Leveraging MVNOs in an ‘everything connected’ world” …
