Annual Conference 2015
TRENDS IN CONVERGED COMMUNICATIONS: FOSTERING INNOVATION, GROWTH AND SOCIETAL BENEFIT
WASHINGTON DC
7-8 OCTOBER 2015
THE RONALD REAGAN BUILDING AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER
We have been thrilled to welcome over 200 members and non-members to our annual conference in Washington DC. Participants have come from all over the world with over 40 countries represented. Participants are evenly mixed between regulators, operators and others associated with the industry.
Speakers this year have examined connecting the unconnected, competition policy, regulation for content and applications, fresh thinking on Spectrum ahead of WRC-15 and the future of IoT and how to protect the end-user whilst fostering innovation. We also looked at the changing behaviours the industry needs to stay abreast of as digital goes mainstream.
The event closed with some new perspectives on competition.
It’s been another fantastic week of events and networking so thank you to members, sponsors and participants for enabling it to happen.
It is the main event within the Communications Policy & Regulation Week.
Please click here to complete the survey and let us know what you thought about the event.
AC 2015 PHOTO GALLERY
Speakers
Key Themes
Connecting the unconnected in emerging and mature markets
"Despite the phenomenal growth of the Internet, despite its many benefits, there are still too many people who remain unconnected" said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova. "Providing Internet connectivity to everyone, everywhere, will take determined policy leadership and investment." The IIC brings together policy makers, industry and governments to debate the issues.
Internet of everything - how do we ensure positive societal gain?
The Internet of Things cuts across all converged technologies. This throws multitudinous ICT challenges such as smart systems integration, cyber-physical systems, smart networks, big data and cloud. Achieving a multi-stakeholder and ecosystem perspective brings regulatory challenges. Privacy, security, data protection and regulating for multiple use cases is pivotal
OTT convergence models - legacy media versus digital native
The rise of content and media intermediaries as digital gatekeepers raises major policy and regulation concerns. This is a recurring theme for the IIC as regulators and industry debate the best way balance innovation whilst delivering audience protection and plurality in a world where converged communications are changing the rules.
Pathways for converged communications competition policy
Competition policy exists to ensure digital communications markets continue to work for consumers and businesses. Panellists will look at how incentives for efficient private sector investment and innovation can be maintained and strengthened to ensure widespread availability and high quality services, as well as considering whether interventions are needed to promote continuing competition and, if so, where.
Why Attend?
For operators and providers in the telecommunications, media and technology space (TMT)
"The IIC is the ideal platform for an operator like Vodafone to have frank and open exchanges with regulators and other members of the policy community."
Markus Reinisch,
Group Public Policy Director, Vodafone
For lawyers, analysts, academics and consultants
"It keeps me smart. As an external advisor you don’t always get the full picture… I think it makes me a much better and well-rounded lawyer."
Ann LaFrance,
Partner, Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP
For other end-user groups representing the interests of society
"Establishing a dialogue between the public and the private is key to success in the design of country strategies to democratise broadband. In this regard, IIC is a neutral player that brings together the different parties to discuss, in an open and direct way the regulatory and policy implications of innovation and investment."
Antonio Garcia-Zaballos,
Telecommunications Lead Specialist - Leader of the Broadband Program, IDB
A Dialogue on Sustainable Development Goals and the WSIS Review
Friday 9 October 2015
Senior representatives of the New York based UN Missions have been invited to meet with regulators, civic society and industry players to examine issues such as multi-stakeholder approaches in enabling the SDGs, and matters such as connectivity and cyber security capacity building.
Networking Opportunities
Drinks Reception at the Embassy of Canada
6 October 2015, Hosted by IIC Canada
Gala Reception at the JW Marriot
7 October 2015
The IIC Annual General Meeting
8 October 2015, for members, trustees and directors