Digital development in focus at ITU Telecom World 2018

The ITU Telecom 2018 event will focus on innovation for smarter digital development.

Taking place from 10–13 September, the event will be held at the Dur​ban International Convention Centre in South Africa.

The event’s forum provides a world-class program of interactive debates exploring the key issues of the digital age with informed opinion, expert speakers and international perspectives.

This year’s high-profile line-up includes:

• Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union
• Cesar Alierta Izuel, Executive Chairman, ProFuturo Foundation
• Bocar Ba, CEO, Samena Telecommunications Council
• Paul Berriman, Group Chief Technology Officer, PCCW
• Anne Carblanc, Head of Division on Digital Economy Policy, OECD
• Thomas Chalumeau, Strategy and Development Director for Middle East and Africa, Orange
• Alison Gillwald, Executive Director, Research ICT Africa
• Stephen Ibaraki, Social Entrepreneur and Futurist – Chair REDDS Capital
• Mmamoloko Kubayi Ngubane, South Africa Minister of Science and Technology
• Shameel Joosub, CEO, Vodacom
• Sipho Maseko, Group CEO, Telkom SA
• Rob Middlehurst, Group Vice President of International Policy, Etisalat
• Andre Müller Borges, Secretary of Telecommunications (Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications), Brazil
• Neil Sahota, IBM Master Inventor, IBM Watson Group
• Rob Shuter, Group President & CEO, MTN Group
• Eric White, Project Lead of Internet for All, World Economic Forum.
   

Headlining the forum program will be session​s tackling core ICT industry topics including:​​

• Digital everyone: What innovative technologies, hybrid solutions and funding partnerships can provide meaningful connectivity, relevant local content and digital services for all?
• Leapfrogging to 5G: Can new technologies enable emerging markets to develop rapidly, bypassing the legacy networks, outdated regulatory frameworks and business models elsewhere?
• The future telco: revolution or evolution? How can telcos exploit their traditional assets in the smart age, focus future investment, establish new roles or markets and attract new talent?
• Rethinking broadband — from national asset to civic right: Examining how broadband is viewed both as a strategic national asset and increasingly as a civic right.
• Rise of the MVNOs — leveraging MVNOs in an ‘everything connected’ world: Exploring the crossovers between mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and various verticals including banking, utilities, agriculture, transport and smart cities.
• Wireless technologies for Africa — the opportunities ahead: Is satellite, with other technologies, the ideal option to drive connectivity, digital inclusion and smart services uptake throughout Africa?
• AI — impact and ownership: How can artificial intelligence (AI) and the data it generates be managed or regulated — and how can we prepare governments, societies and individuals for the economic singularity?
   

​In addition to the forum program, ITU ​Telecom World 2018 includes the following:

• A global exhibition of digital technology solutions and investment opportunities, including national and thematic pavilions from across the globe plus independent stands from world-leading corporates and high-growth small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• ITU Telecom World Awards, celebrating innovative ICT initiatives with real social impact, for corporations, governments and SMEs — with a special SME program to support business growth
• High-level networking events and a networking app, plus dedicated business matchmaking services.
   

Image credit: ©Victoria/Dollar Photo Club

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