Building out Broadband

This Session explores the broadband revolution and examines the role of broadband as critical infrastructure in the modern global economy. The role of broadband for promoting economic growth, productivity and trade is by now well-established. Although access to broadband networks may be rivalrous and excludable, the information and knowledge which can be provided via broadband services are now global goods with global reach. 

Today, it is increasingly clear that no country can do without broadband infrastructure. Worldwide, however, two thirds of global citizens remain to be connected to the Internet. Opinion is divided, however, as to whether broadband Internet service represents a basic need, fundamental right or luxury.  This Session will examine whether broadband access is today a basic need, public utility, fundamental right or privilege.

 

Moderator: Mr Raffaele Barberio, Director, Key4Biz

Panelists:

• Mr Moez Chakchouk, CEO, Tunisian Internet Agency (ATI)
• Mr Matthias Kurth, Executive Chairman & Member of the Executive Committee, Cable Europe
• Ms Lynn St Amour, President & CEO, Internet Society (ISOC)
• H.E. Mr Diego Molano Vega, Minister of Information and Communication Technologies, Colombia
• H.E. Ms Magdalena Gaj, President, Office of Electronic Communications, Poland

Scribe: Mr Ulf Pehrsson,  Vice-President for Government and Industry Relations, Ericsson

16:30 - 18:00

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Broadband Driving Development

This Session considers the benefits of broadband for accelerating development. Broadband promises to transform the provision of healthcare and education in developed and developing countries alike. How can broadband improve people’s lives? Are Megabits or mobiles most helpful to the citizens of developing countries? What is the size of the remaining business opportunity from connecting the world, and connecting women, remote communities and marginalized groups? And how can broadband infrastructure and services be made to work to the best benefit of developing countries?  This Session considers the applications of broadband infrastructure and services for improving people’s lives and accelerating achievement of the MDGs.

• Applications of Broadband for healthcare
• Applications of Broadband for education
• Applications of Broadband for other MDGs
  

Moderator: Mr Raffaele Barberio, Director, Key4Biz

Panelists:

• H.E. Ms Omobola Johnson, Honourable Minister of Communication Technology, Government of Nigeria
• Mr. Yung Kim, President and Group Chief Strategy Officer of Korea Telecom Corporation
• H.E. Dr Amr Badawi, Executive President of the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Egypt
• Mr Franco Bernabè, Executive Chairman & CEO, Telecom Italia
• Dr. Robert Pepper, Vice-President, Global Technology Policy, Cisco
• Dr Hamadoun Touré, Secretary-General, ITU
  Biography   |   Remarks

Scribe: Ms Kathryn Brown,  Senior Vice-President, Corporate Citizenship and International Relations, Verizon