Disruptions: Will the ICT sector experience further disruptions? Or will the disruptive forces affect other sectors, such as broadcasting? How might sector convergence take shape? What other disruptions lie on the horizon?
Cross-sector alliances: Opportunities in vertical markets now include cross-sector alliances, and there are numerous interested parties in this environment. What alliance options are available?
The smart future: The possibilities offered by certain advances, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, big data applications, and innovative business models, are enormous. But what policy and regulatory challenges do they pose? What are the optimal business models? And what are the appropriate instruments?
"The discussions at ITU Telecom World 2014 will boldly address the risks facing the ICT sector, as well as the vast array of opportunities for its future growth, encompassing new partnerships between vertical markets, new technologies and policies, and new business models," said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré.
ITU Telecom World 2014, taking place from December 7-10, 2014, in Doha, will open with an exclusive, one-day Leaders Summit on the future, bringing together representatives from governments, regulators, and the entire ICT sector. Led by renowned visionaries and thought leaders, such as Gerd Leonhard, the Summit will feature a comprehensive and highly interactive program designed to give participants an immersive experience and help unravel some of the complexities of the future, providing decision-makers with a clear understanding of the sector's evolution to guide them in shaping future policies and strategies.
Adopting numerous structures, from panel discussions, presentations and high-level debates to in-depth conversations moderated by media outlets from around the world, the Forum's discussions will analyze in detail the three important contexts outlined above and examine in each case the fundamental developments and trends in technology, regulation and policy, as well as business models, services and applications.
Organized by the Government of Qatar, with the support of Ooredoo, a leading international communications company, ITU Telecom World 2014 will also feature dynamic industry presentations showcasing growth, opportunities, and innovative applications and technologies from around the world, with a particular focus on exploring knowledge and possibilities within emerging markets. Participants will include members of the public and private sectors, Heads of State and Government, ministers, policymakers and regulatory bodies, as well as high-level representatives from operators, vendors, service providers, content creators, media outlets worldwide, industry visionaries, and renowned academic institutions. ITU Telecom World 2014 will also present the winners of the Young Innovators Competition, recognizing talented young social entrepreneurs with innovative ideas for social enterprises.
