ITU, the United Nations specialised agency for ICTs, holds its 20th Plenipotentiary conference in Dubai. Courtesy: ITU
ITU, the United Nations specialised agency for ICTs, holds its 20th Plenipotentiary conference in Dubai. Courtesy: ITU
ITU, the United Nations specialised agency for ICTs, holds its 20th Plenipotentiary conference in Dubai. Courtesy: ITU
ITU, the United Nations specialised agency for ICTs, holds its 20th Plenipotentiary conference in Dubai. Courtesy: ITU

Global digital inclusion vital to ensure full benefits of 5G


Alkesh Sharma
  • English
  • Arabic

Digital inclusion is key when it comes to the successful roll out of 5G and other new technologies that aim to enhance network capabilities to meet the future demands, global delegates at a telecom conference in Dubai said.

“We all speak about 5G and various latest technologies but first we have to work for the digital inclusion of society at a global level. ITU [International Telecommunication Union] is working to remove the barriers but we need a more forceful push,” said Khaled Ahmed, adviser to the Ministry of ICT in Djibouiti, on the Horn of Africa.

Digital inclusion is the ability of all individuals and groups to access and use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

Mr Ahmed, who was taking part in the ITU’s 20th Plenipotentiary conference in Dubai, also called for the standardisation of rules and regulations to ensure a fair ground for all countries.

“At Djibouiti, we are working to fill the digital divide and enhance internet connectivity … prerequisites before the 5G roll out. It obviously requires more partnerships between various countries at different levels.”

ITU’s Connect 2020 Agenda calls for up to 50 per cent of households in developing nations to have an internet access by 2020 and also reduce prices.

However, ITU estimates that almost 3 billion people will still remain offline in 2020 in the absence of coordinated approach towards connectivity. Most of these will be in developing nations.

5G is the name used to describe the fifth generation of cellular mobile communications, which is poised to include rapid data transfer rate, energy saving, cost reduction, and widespread device connectivity through Internet of Things (IoT).

“It could be 3G, 4G or 5G ... but we look at any generation technology in the same way - it should be inclusive,” said V Raghunandan, deputy director general, international relations at Indian Ministry of Communications.

“Moreover, 5G is not only a spectrum but it is a whole ecosystem that has the potential to play a massive role in our lives. It includes various aspects of technology such as IoT, smart cities and big data,” said Mr Raghunandan.

The issue before policymakers is to ensure 5G will serve the whole community, covering all segments, said Mr Raghunandan, who said 5G had an equally important role to play in rural as well as urban areas.

_______________

Read more:

Digital solutions and 5G to boost Etisalat and du's profitability

_______________

Houlin Zhao, ITU’s secretary-general, said the challenge today was to ensure that technologies and ICTs in general continue to be a source for good for everyone across the world.

“New technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence, big data and the internet of things will change how we live, work and learn in ways that have yet to be imagined. And ITU is in the front seat,” said Mr Zhao.

While great progress has been made, there still remain 3.9 billion people around the world who are not connected to the internet yet, according to a survey from the ITU.

“5G is coming but currently it is at an early stage of development and we look forward to global collaborations to get best out of it,” said Charles Semapondo, who is heading Rwanda’s delegation at ITU’s Dubai meeting.

“ICT is a central point of the fourth industrial revolution and it is also helping developing nations. But it brings its own challenges such as cyber security and data breach.”

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Keane on …

Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”

Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 400hp

Torque: 475Nm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Price: From Dh215,900

On sale: Now

MATCH INFO

World Cup qualifier

Thailand 2 (Dangda 26', Panya 51')

UAE 1 (Mabkhout 45 2')

While you're here
INDIA SQUAD

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Siraj and Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)

THE SPECS – Honda CR-V Touring AWD

Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder

Power: 184hp at 6,400rpm

Torque: 244Nm at 3,900rpm

Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

0-100kmh in 9.4 seconds

Top speed: 202kmh

Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km

Price: From Dh122,900