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The ITU Telecom World 2009 brought the shutters down in Geneva with the focus on harnessing the power of technology to enhance our global well-being and the information and communication technology industry's needs and realities. This year, the theme of the event was 'Open Network-Connected Minds'. The theme highlighted the importance of the ITU Telecom World 2009 in the development of the telecommunications and ICT industries.

The event highlighted the reach and role of telecommunication and ICT in areas of societal changes such as digital divide, climate change, and disaster relief. With its focus on development opportunities the event brought together corporate social responsibility and displayed cases of industry best practices.

ITU elected officials at ITU Telecom World 2009

Over 2,250 dignitaries, including UN secretary general, Ban Ki Moon; ITU secretary general, Hamadoun Toure; heads of state; heads of government; heads of regulatory agencies; and CEOs from around the world came together for the event, which featured a series of top level round tables, meetings and brainstorming debates on the role of ICT in addressing many of the hottest issues.

Hamadoun Toure, ITU secretary general in his welcome note said, "We are coming to developed countries with a begging bowl, but with proposals which will work for the benefit of all." He called upon the charity world to move beyond charity/aid, roll up its sleeves, get to work, and make business happen.

Ban Ki Moon, UN secretary general in his address spoke about the importance of ICTs in tackling core global issues, such as climate change, and called for participants to use ICTs creatively to usher in green economy and drive progress in improving lives of those in need.

Constructive forums
Exhibition halls were also the center of attraction for all visitors. Exhibitions comprised a vibrant show floor with the latest innovation in ICT-from broadband and IP enabled services, to mobile and wireless technologies, next generation networks and satellite and much more-spanning full reach of the ICT industry.

Forums like the telecommunication development symposium and youth forum have created a platform for constructive debate, exchange of ideas, showcasing new technologies, business models and policy. These forums brought together players from across the ICT sector to discuss areas such as cyber security, new technologies shaping up the future of ICT, and the challenges of regulation in the fast changing environment. For the first time, forum sessions were webcast live to a global audience, allowing many people to share their views in the debate.

Elected ITU officials at 'Minister and CEO Dialog' on shaping public policy	Green@ICT Pavillion and the show floor

Main Attractions
The major attraction of the event was video message from Nelson Mandela, former president of Republic of South Africa at the finale, who advised that "ICTs are the single most powerful tool we have for human progress." He urged participants to support efforts to connect the world and bridge the digital divide.

On this occasion, ITU revealed rapid ICT growth in many regions including-mobile cellular subscription, fixed and mobile broadband, and TV and computer penetration-with mobile technology acting as key drivers.

Egypt Pavilion at ITU Telecom World 2009	Sunil Mittal, chairman and group CEO, Bharti Enterprises exchange views with Robert Conway, CEO and member of board during the head of states with CEO roundtable

The ITU data, forecast, and analysis on the global ICT market show that mobile growth is continuing unabated, with global mobile subscription expected to reach 4.6 bn by the end of the year, and mobile broadband subscription to top 600 mn in 2009.

The report also shows that mobile technologies are making major inroads towards extending ICTs in developing countries, with a number of nations launching and commercially offering IMT2000/3G network and services. But the statistics also highlight important regional discrepancies with mobile broadband penetration rates are still low in many African countries and other developing nations.

Ninteen CTOs from some of the world's key ICT players have called upon ITU to provide a lead in an overhaul of the global ICT standardization landscape. The CTOs agreed on a set of recommendations and actions that will better address the evolving needs of a fast-moving industry, facilitate the launch of new products, services, and applications, promote cost-effective solutions, combat climate change, and address the needs of developing countries regarding greater inclusion in standard development.

The ITU Telecom World has also showcased advanced system against global cyber attacks at the ITU/IMPACT stand in the exhibition. Last year, the ITU signed an MoU with IMPACT at the ITU Telecom 2008. The ITU and IMPACT are working together with partners from across the industry, including F-Secure, Arbor Networks, Kaspersky Labs.

Meanwhile, VNL announced its green initiatives for mobile operators. The company has announced the first commercial deployment of its zero-opex solar powered GSM, designed to help mobile operators build sustainable networks in remote areas. VNL's world GSM has been installed in more than fifty villages in rural Rajasthan.

Radio pioneer, Alexander Popov was also honored at the ITU Telecom World 2009. Toure unveiled a plaque at the ITU headquarter to commemorate the ground breaking work of Russian physicist and radio communications pioneer Alexander Stepanovich Popov.

The ITU is also encouraging its member states to adopt school-based community broadband plans to bring ICT access to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. The ITU effort was endorsed by UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon at the event. The initiatives aim to facilitate public private partnership that will help member states establish school based ICT centers.

The financial crisis has failed to make a major dent on demand for ICT services, with mobile and satellite sectors providing resilient services, and consumer demands for high-speed fixed and mobile connections continuing to fuel growth in broadband subscriptions in major markets worldwide. These are some of the findings of the second edition of the ITU report on the role of ICTs in the financial crisis launched at the ITU Telecom World 2009. Entitled as 'Confronting the Crisis', the report argues that the ICT sector has a major role to play in generating economic growth and stimulating the global financial recovery across all commercial and industrial sectors.

With the world in the grip of financial crisis and the slowdown, the ITU Telecom World 2009 provided a unique platform for the ICT industry, as well top level policy makers and regulators to address the current issues and seek a way forward.

Arpita Prem
arpitap@cybermedia.co.in

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