Connected Economy @ a Connected World
Just a few days before Cyprus takes over the “helm” of the European Union, the 4th Information & Telecommunication Technology Conference InfoCom.Cy focuses on the latest events, that radically change the “rules of the game”…
How can the country exploit its new role? How may technology contribute to this direction? Is ICT the catalyst needed for the growth of economy, the advancement of entrepreneurship and productivity? What are the stakes, the opportunities, the challenges and the solutions?
Once more in recent history, Cyprus finds itself at a critical crossroad. Depending on the direction the country will take, the risks are many. Due to its quite significant geopolitical position, right on the intersection of three continents, as well as its now fully confirmed energy resources, Cyprus has to and surely must redefine its course. The time is ripe to take the necessary decisions that will shape the future of the country.
The first opportunity to do so is the undertaking of the EU rotating presidency starting on the 1st of July. For six months, Cyprus will have to deal with very important international problems and situations and act as an effective catalyst that will help the community move towards respective solutions.
Another, equally decisive proof for Cyprus, will be the exploitation of the great potential of technology, that is necessary for the growth of the economy, for entrepreneurship and productivity as well as the improvement of the quality of life for its citizens.
The target of 4th InfoCom.Cy conference is to demonstrate, the best possible way within its scope, the different points of view that may contribute to this goal, through a careful and selective synthesis.
The sessions of 4th InfoCom.Cy Conference are…
1st Session: Cyprus at the helm of EU – technology as a catalyst for evolution!
The Cypriot presidency of EU, during the second half of 2012, is a golden opportunity as the country will have the chance to demonstrate its own great potential, to repel the nightmare of crisis and to attract international interest – whatever this might mean politically, economically, socially, even culturally…
Technology is a clear ally in this effort, as it may well aid Nicosia respond better to the pressing challenges of our time, which are directly related and dependent on the many digital aspects in our daily life, spanning a wide spectrum from telecoms to energy. The high speeds offered through VDSL and LTE, the new horizons opened by Cloud Computing, the flexibility offered by mobile devices and the “take-off” of easy, digital shopping through the use of NFC technology are just a few of the weapons, that play a vital role in bringing the great changes closer.
The 1st session of InfoCom.Cy Conference will offer the appropriate answers to all these queries, in theoretical as well as in practical level.
2nd Session: Smartphones @ Mobile Internet: A brave new world!
During the last years, developments in Telecommunications sector are more rapid and radical than ever before. Smartphones already dominate the sector and keep on increasing their market share, mainly in developed countries. Combined with new, advanced networks and services they have created a broad ecosystem that influences growth in a very positive way, offering direct as well as indirect benefits to the stakeholders and the national economy.
On their part, ISPs now feel vindicated for their hard work and investments; their networks are literally moving “full speed ahead”, while constantly broadening the spectrum of applications and services available to their subscribers.
Last but not least, application developers play also a pivotal role in this ecosystem, offering solutions that may well change our daily lives, while on the same time they fully exploit the potential of e-business and social media.
The 2nd session of InfoCom.Cy Conference, under the title “Smartphones @ Mobile Internet: A brave new world!” will try to give a glimpse of the future through the presentation of many solutions and applications available, in Cypriot as well as in international markets.
3rd Session: The new TV era: Beyond the «black box»!
Home entertainment is not anymore what it used to be… The obvious convergence of many closely related, but distinct until recently sectors, like Television, Cinema, Media and Internet has brewed magnificent hybrids and results for all of us, changing the way we entertain, inform and educate ourselves for good…
The continuing convergence of these sectors (we are not finished yet, as there are already bright prospects for the upcoming “smart TV”) till we reach the point of having one and only outlet, for 3ple play, in every home, brings along many changes and even more challenges. Manufacturers offer nowadays many options (Web TV, IP TV, Digital TV, Cable TV, Satellite TV) and extensions (HD TV, 3D TV) to consumers.
Yet, there is urgent need –as it will be made clear during the 3rd session of the Conference- for a renewed legal and regulatory framework, fully adapted to the new conditions, along with a pragmatic understanding by anybody involved of the new role technology and content may play in a modern economy.
4th session: CEO Summit – Searching for the right balance…
The highlight of every InfoCom.Cy Conference is the CEO Summit – the meeting point, where renowned personalities from the Cypriot and international scene exchange comments and opinions. This is particularly true this year, as 2012 is a milestone year for the country, which redefines its role at many levels and especially in the economy, while taking into account the new geopolitical developments in the region.
Companies operating in the broader field of hi-tech -especially in telecom, which co-shape to a certain degree evolution with their decisions- are considered as the “spearhead”: their key-role is critical for the future due to the high priority and influence ICT and hi-tech have in almost every sector of economy and governance.
Participants at the CEO Summit would be required to give documented answers about their targets and perspectives, the trends and progress they intend to follow in the near future, seeking the right balance between tackling the crisis and securing the increased CapEx required for the adoption of new technologies.