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Connect-World Europe II 2008     Magazine introduction The growth of the net, often in unexpected ways, is challenging capacity, search resources, regulations, security, equipment manufacturers, marketers, e-businesses – indeed, the entire Internet ecosystem. Where do we go?     Theme: The evolving ‘Net - Rising to the challenge of rising use Articles Contributors Feature articles     Article no.: 1 Topic: Next step for the e-state: e-state 2.0? Author: Juhan Parts Title: Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Organisation: Estonia PDF size: 304KB   About author: Juhan Parts is Estonia’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications. During his political career, Mr Parts has held the following posts in Estonia’s government: Deputy Secretary-General, Ministry of Justice, Auditor General, and Prime Minister (2003-2005). Mr Parts is also a Member of the 10th Riigikogu - the Parliament of Estonia - since 2003. He was Chairman of Res Publica Party. Mr Parts graduated from the University of Tartu, where he earned a degree in law, Cum Laude.   Article abstract: Estonia has been encouraging the use of computers and the Internet in schools since the 1990s. Students fascinated with the new tools convinced their parents to buy computers and get Internet service. This stimulated the use of e-banking, e-commerce and e-government services. The government’s basic data exchange solution lets government agencies develop their own services and lets people interconnect securely to both state and private services. These are the first steps in what Estonia hopes will develop into a full-fledged e-state.   buy     Article no.: 2 Topic: Growing the Internet in Bulgaria Author: Dr. Plamen Vatchkov Title: Chairman Organisation: State Agency for Information Technologies and Communications, Bulgaria PDF size: 340KB   About author: Dr Vatchkov is the Chairman of Bulgaria’s State Agency for Information Technology and Communications. He chairs the National Radio Frequency Council and the Interdepartmental Commission for Space Research and is an Associate Professor in Technical Sciences at the Higher Commission for Attestation. In his long career, Dr Vatchkov has served in a wide variety of executive and academic posts including: Deputy Director Operations of Cabletel; Director of Information Technology, Overgas Holding; Managing Director of Bulvar Electronics, Ltd; Deputy Director of the Institute for Technical Cybernetics and Robotics of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; General Director of Micro Processing Systems; and as an Assistant Professor at the Technical University in Moscow. Dr Vatchkov began his career as an engineer at the Central Computing Institute in Sofia. He is currently a member of the Academic Council of the International University and a member of the Balkan Academy of Sciences and a member of the Federation of the Scientific and Technical Unions in Bulgaria and the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria. Dr Vatchkov is a former member of the Scientific Council of the Institute for Technical Cybernetics and Robotics. He was awarded the 2007 prize of the Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies for overall personal contribution to the development of the information technologies in Bulgaria. Dr Vatchkov obtained a MSc in Industrial Electronics and PhD in Technical Sciences at the Moscow Power Engineering Institute. Dr Vatchkov has specialisations in Microprocessor Devices, Management and Quality Management.   Article abstract: The United Nation’s Global Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) is an effort to reduce the digital divide by providing developing countries with access to information and communications. The Internet has brought new opportunities to the world’s developing economies. It made outsourcing possible, for example, which brought new jobs and know-how; as a result developing regions became major exporters of business services to the rest of the world - something unthinkable only ten years ago. Traditionally, decades of development and intensive government spending were required for significant change. Today, a modern and well-supported information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, qualified staff and good governance drive rapid change.The DSF is financed by a one per cent ‘digital solidarity contribution’ levied voluntarily upon purchases of ICT-related equipment. The DSF is giving priority to its 1000 telemedicine units for Africa programme, and its educational programme which distributes interactive whiteboards for classrooms.   buy     Article no.: 3 Topic: The challenge of NGNs Author: Mathias Kurth Title: President Organisation: Federal Network Agency, for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railway, Germany PDF size: 328KB   About author: Mathias Kurth is the President of Germany’s Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railway, having previuosly been its Vice President. During his career, Mr Kurth has been Director of Business Development, Law and Regulation for COLT Telekom GmbH, Chairman of the Conference of Heads of administration of the Ministers of Economics, at ferderal and state level, and a Member of the Supervisory Board of the Deutsche Ausgleichsbank. Mr Kurth has also been Representative of the State of Hesse in the Committee of the Regions of the European Union, Representative of the State of Hesse, in the Regulatory Council for Posts and Telecommunications, State Secretary in the Hesse Ministry of Eeconomics, Transport and Urban and Regional Development, Head of Administration and Permanent Deputy of the Minister, Parliamentary Secretary and Deputy Chairman of the SPD Group in the Land Parliament, and a Member of the Presidium of the Hesse Land Parliament and judge at the Darmstadt Regional Court. Mathias Kurth studied Law and Economics at Frankfurt am Main University, and was a postgraduate legal trainee in the Administration of Justice of the State of Hesse.   Article abstract: The move from traditional POTS (plain old telephony systems) to next generation networks - NGNs - networks involves a series of technological, economic and regulatory challenges. NGNs are more efficient, and offer both operators and subscribers a much greater variety of options and lower costs than traditional networks. The facilities, structure and cost of the new networks challenge the ingenuity of the regulators that must reconcile existing legal requirements based upon the older technologies with the realities of the new technologies and markets.   buy     Article no.: 4 Topic: Business innovation and ICT in the Baltic region Author: Prof. Edvins Karnitis Title: Expert Forum; Commissioner Organisation: National Development Plan; Public Utilities Commission, Latvia PDF size: 312KB   About author: Prof. Edvins Karnitis is a Commissioner of Latvia’s Public Utilities Commission and a Member of its Expert Forum for the National Development Plan. Prof., Dr. Sc. Eng. Edvins Karnitis is a Leading Researcher of the University of Latvia, a Member of the Advisory Board of Riga Technical University, an Analyst of the National Commission of Strategic Analysis, and Chairman of the Expert Team on Monitoring the Implementation of the National Development Plan. He has worked as Adviser to the Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Latvia, and has participated in the elaboration of national strategic programmes for knowledge-based development and knowledge economy in Latvia. Dr Karnitis is the author of more than 170 scientific and technical publications.   Article abstract: The Baltic States and their economies and businesses are mostly small, so they count upon ICTs to help drive their development. ICT expenditures in the Baltic region are high. Latvia spends 9.9 per cent of its GDP compared to 5.7 per cent for the EU 27, and Estonia’s broadband penetration is higher than the EU’s average. Large enterprises use ICTs heavily, but the smaller companies lag far behind, which often keeps them from doing business with large and transnational companies.   buy     Article no.: 5 Topic: Building ICT usage in South Eastern Europe Author: Moniu Monev Title: CEO Organisation: Nexcom Bulgaria PDF size: 288KB   About author: Moniu Monev is a co-founder and the CEO of Nexcom Bulgaria, the first operator in the country to commercially offer WiMAX services, including wireless Internet, telephone, leased lines, VPN and MAN. Previously, Mr Monev was the Vice President of Marketing, Balkan Area at Nexcom Telecom, USA. He also established telecom companies in Macedonia, Albania, and Romania, a JV in Serbia and started network operations in Romania and Macedonia. Moniu Monev graduated from the National Film and Theatre Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria with a Master of Arts degree.   Article abstract: Bulgaria started liberalising and modernising its telecommunications sector rather late, as a result, its Internet penetration rate is only 30 per cent. Nevertheless, in the last two years, with Bulgaria’s accession to the EU and its adoption of new regulations harmonised with the EU, foreign investment has grown and local broadband access was unbundled by the incumbent. This has introduced needed competition - especially through the introduction of WiMAX, forced rate cuts and stimulated the overall growth of the sector.   buy     Article no.: 6 Topic: Broadband - the worsening digital divide Author: James Blessing Title: Chief Operations Officer Organisation: Entanet International Ltd PDF size: 280KB   About author: James Blessing is the Chief Operations Officer for Entanet International, part of the Entagroup IT distribution and communications services group. Prior to joining Entanet, Mr Blessing commanded the roles of Technical Support Manager and Technical Development Manager at Zen Internet and held senior project management and technical directorship roles in the design and build of consumer facing websites for high street brands and outsourced IT support to media companies. This followed an early career in radio in which he was involved in outside broadcasting, technical operation and programme production. Mr Blessing takes an active role in the Internet industry. He is a council member of the Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) and is Chair of the ISPA broadband sub-group. Mr Blessing holds a BSc in Physics with Astrophysics from the University of Kent.   Article abstract: The digital divide is not just a problem in emerging economies. In rural regions throughout the developing world, indeed wherever service providers are not convinced they will get a reasonable return on their investment, they do not build the broadband Internet networks needed for full participation in the Information Society. The EU established universal service obligations (USOs), but they only call for telephone service and they discourage the development by local governments and private partners of viable USO alternatives.   buy     Article no.: 7 Topic: Hosted VoIP services in Europe Author: Konstantin Nikashov Title: VP, External Economic Activities Organisation: MERA Systems & Member, Executive Board, MERA Group PDF size: 420KB   About author: Konstantin Nikashov is the Vice President for External Economic Activities at MERA Systems and a Member of the Executive Board of the MERA Group. He is responsible for developing and managing new business partnerships. Dr Nikashov joined MERA as the Vice President for Business Development. Prior to joining MERA, Dr Nikashov was Technical Director for KIS, the first regional ISP in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia and supervised the company’s technological initiatives. Konstantin Nikashov earned his MSEE and his PhD from the State University of Technology in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.   Article abstract: VoIP should grow considerably in the next 3-5 years, as will the market share of hosted VoIP. Europe welcomes hosted solutions more than other parts of the world, but hosted VoIP, even there, is still used mainly by smaller businesses. European service providers expect that the use of hosted VoIP services by large companies will grow given the speed and ease of deployment, the limited capital investment needed, lower operating and maintenance expense and the increasing availability of special features.   buy     Article no.: 8 Topic: Intelligent networks - coping with growth Author: Edgar Masri Title: CEO & Chairman Organisation: 3Com PDF size: 352KB   About author: As President and CEO of 3Com, Edgar Masri leads the company’s global operations. Mr Masri is also a member of the Board of Directors and serves as Chairman of the Board. Prior to re-joining 3Com, Mr Masri spent six years at Matrix Partners, a venture capital firm focused on technology investments, and also served as Chief Operating Officer at Redline Communications. Earlier, during his first tenure at 3Com, Mr Masri led 3Com’s Network Systems Business Unit as Senior Vice President and General Manager. Mr Masri has also served as President of 3Com Ventures, the company’s venture arm, and held management positions in Product Management, Marketing and Business Development. Edgar Masri holds a Diplome d’Ingenieur from Ecole Centrale de Paris, a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Business Administration with distinction (Arijay Miller Scholar) from Stanford University.   Article abstract: The growth of the Internet, indeed telecommunications in general, has put increasing demands upon the network. To better manage network traffic nowadays, network devices such as routers and switches are equipped with sufficient intelligence to authenticate users and devices and provide appropriate secure access, control network priorities based upon the organisation’s policies and manage traffic. Open-source applications and standards increases interoperability and reduce costs. The use of intelligence embedded in the network increases network efficiency and helps reduce power usage.   buy     Article no.: 9 Topic: Growing the Net in the Balkans Author: Dino Andreou Title: CEO Organisation: OTEGlobe, Greece PDF size: 332KB   About author: Dinos Andreou is the CEO of OTEGlobe. He joined OTEGlobe at its start-up as Chief Financial Officer. Mr Andreou is also a member of the Board of Directors of OTEnet Telecoms Ltd, Cyprus. Prior to OTEGlobe he worked as Financial Director for Global One Communications Hellas S.A., responsible for finance, human resources and legal issues. Mr Andreou began his career at Coopers & Lybrand, where after continuous promotions both in the Athens branch and London’s headquarters, he was assigned a senior management position. Dinos Andreou holds a BSc in Mathematics with Operational Research and an MSc in Operational Research, from the University of London.   Article abstract: Internet penetration in the Balkans, although still quite low compared to the rest of Europe, is growing due in large part due to the stimulus provided by the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the EU and the desire of other countries to follow their example. Wholesale international Internet carriers have a big role to play in the development of the Balkans, providing high-capacity connections to the rest of the world at a reasonable price to drive local development.   buy     Article no.: 10 Topic: Network evolution - rising expectation Author: Fotis Karonis Title: Chief Information Officer Organisation: Romtelecom, Romania PDF size: 264KB   About author: Fotis Karonis is the Chief Information Officer of Romtelecom, Romania. Prior to Romtelecom, he worked at the Athens International Airport as Director of Information Technology and its Telecommunications Business Unit; he was also a member of the Board of Executives. Previously, Mr Karonis worked for Cap Gemini, France, and Cegelec - Alcatel, France. Mr Karonis graduated from the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department of the University of Patras in Greece and earned his MSc in Digital Electronics & Systems from the University of Manchester, Institute of Science & Technology (UMIST).   Article abstract: Throughout the world, the telecom sector is changing radically in response to changing technology and rising consumer expectations. The traditional voice-centric business model is rapidly becoming a recipe for disaster. To survive in today’s market, operators need to adopt an innovative, value-added, service-oriented and customer-centric strategy. The collaboration trend means that customers no longer just consume content - they create and share it. They often upload as much as they download, share content with friends and participate in communities.   buy     Article no.: 11 Topic: Mobile broadband - the future of broadband? Author: Victor Donselaar Title: President Organisation: Movial Applications Inc PDF size: 268KB   About author: Victor Donselaar is the President of Movial Applications Inc. Before assuming his current position, Mr Donselaar was in charge of global sales at Movial. Prior to joining Movial, Mr Donselaar held business development, sales, communications, and team management positions in global technology services and consumer electronics companies. Mr Donselaar holds a M.S. degree in business administration from RSM Erasmus University, the international business school of Erasmus University Rotterdam, and studied Telecommunications and Business at the Helsinki School of Economics in Finland and at Prague University in the Czech Republic.   Article abstract: Mobile broadband is growing rapidly in all parts of the world, not only for mobile phones, but for PCs as well. Many operators expect wireless broadband revenue to exceed those for fixed broadband as early as this year. Unfortunately, when mobile broadband is offered without bundling additional value-added services, it becomes simply a high capacity low-priced commodity. One way to escape this fate is to offer value-added bundles with Internet services, real time messaging, voice or even video.   buy     Article no.: 12 Topic: Screen companies Author: János Winkler Title: Chief Operating Officer; Head, Customer Business Unit Organisation: Magyar Telekom Ltd PDF size: 400KB   About author: János Winkler is the Chief Operating Officer of Magyar Telekom Ltd and Head of its Customer Business Unit. Previously, Mr Winkler served in a series of posts including CEO, Head of Mobile Services Line of Business, and Deputy General Manager & Chief Marketing and Sales Officer for T-Mobile Hungary Ltd (formerly Westel Mobile Telecommunications Co. Ltd.). Before joining T-Mobile, Mr Winkler was the National Sales Manager, later Deputy General Manager & Director of Marketing and Sales for Westel Rádiótelefon Kft, Budapest, Hungary and Sales Manager for the Nikex Foreign Trade Company. He also served as the Commercial Secretary, Deputy Commercial Counsellor, in the Commercial Office of the Hungarian Embassy in Peking, China. Mr Winkler graduated as an Economist, from Budapest University of Economic Sciences, and also holds a MBA from Perdue, USA.   Article abstract: The Internet is rapidly occupying TV, computer and cellphone screens and broadband fills these screens. Third Generation - 3G - wireless and HSDP deliver true broadband to mobile phones. The cell phone is the first personal mass medium. More than 2.6 billion people have cell phones. In the screen-dominated 21st century, broadband enabled mobiles will connect us constantly to our real and virtual communities. The iPhone, the first real screen phone, already puts Apple among the top ten handset manufacturers.   buy     Article no.: 13 Topic: The Wireless broadband revolution Author: Peter Ziegelwanger Title: Managing Director; CTO Organisation: WiMAX Telecom GmbH, Austria; WiMAX Telecom AG, Switzerland PDF size: 216KB   About author: Peter Ziegelwanger is the Managing Director of WiMAX Telecom GmbH in Austria and CTO of the WiMAX Telecom Group. He has more than 15 years’ experience in the telecommunications business. Mr Ziegelwanger held several executive management positions in operations and sales in telecommunications companies such as Ericsson Austria, Airpage (CTO), RSL COM Austria (COO, now eTel Austria) and Memorex Telex Communications AG (COO). His last position was as Head of International Carrier Management in Telekom Austria. Peter Ziegelwanger graduated in Civil Engineering and Atomic Physics from the Technical University of Vienna and has an extensive technical background in the telecommunications sector.   Article abstract: The Internet is becoming an indispensable tool for many; the demand for mobile Internet access is simply the latest manifestation of its growth. People want access, wherever they are, not only to voice, but to broadband for business applications, and for everything to social networks, videos, live TV, and entertainment of all sorts. Existing mobile networks and mobile devices cannot handle the traffic efficiently. The next generation of handsets and devices will be WiMAX capable for high-speed Internet access.   buy     Article no.: 14 Topic: Mobile email in emerging markets Author: Carsten Brinkschulte Title: CEO Organisation: Synchronica PDF size: 300KB   About author: Carsten Brinkschulte, the CEO of Synchronica, is a serial entrepreneur specialising in the mobile sector. Prior to founding Synchronica he founded a number of successful companies including Century Software and Weblicon Technologies in Germany. Before this, he worked as a consultant at SAP and Apple Computer. Mr Brinkschulte is a respected speaker, presenting regularly at conferences. He is also a panellist and presenter at the European Technology Roundtable Exhibition (ETRE). Mr Brinkschulte began a degree course in Computer Science before leaving to start work in the IT industry.   Article abstract: The mobile phone, together with applications such as mobile email, will make great headway in emerging markets over the next few years, but the challenge for device manufacturers, service providers and software vendors is to understand the drivers that underpin this growth and amend their offerings accordingly. The rewards for everyone in the value chain are potentially huge, but there are challenges ahead too. The quiet revolution will continue, but who wins and who loses is still up for grabs.   buy     Article no.: 15 Topic: WiFi roaming Author: Igor Zabolotniy Title: Acting General Director Organisation: MTT - Multiregional Transit Telecom, Russia PDF size: 308KB   About author: Igor Zabolotniy is the Acting General Director of MTT (Multiregional TransitTelecom), where he served previously as Deputy General Director for Commerce. Prior to MTT, Mr Zabolotniy served in a number of executive positions including as Deputy General Director for Marketing at the Russian Satellite Communications Company (Federal State Unitary Enterprise) and as General Director of OJSC Dalsvyaz. He also worked as Acting Director and Head of the Marketing and Sales Department at JSC Svyazinvest, and as Acting Director - Head of General Service Operation Department at JSC Rostelecom. Mr Zabolotniy graduated from both the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics, and the Federal Institute of Industrial Property. He earned an MBA degree from The Academy of National Economy under the Government of the Russian Federation.   Article abstract: WiFi hotspots are essential for travellers and for those who work in the field; they look for them as avidly as travellers in a desert seek an oasis. According to Gartner there are 50 thousand public hotspots serving 60 million people and generating US$9 billion in revenue. WiFi roaming is complex. WiFi aggregators in many countries, including Russia, eliminate the need for operators to sign separate roaming agreements with operators the world over to provide roaming connectivity for their subscribers.   buy Confirmed authors (Order by article no.)   Juhan Parts Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications, Estonia   Dr. Plamen Vatchkov Chairman, State Agency for Information Technologies and Communications, Bulgaria   Mathias Kurth President, Federal Network Agency, for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railway, Germany   Prof. Edvins Karnitis Expert Forum; Commissioner, National Development Plan; Public Utilities Commission, Latvia   Moniu Monev CEO, Nexcom Bulgaria   James Blessing Chief Operations Officer, Entanet International Ltd   Konstantin Nikashov VP, External Economic Activities, MERA Systems & Member, Executive Board, MERA Group   Edgar Masri CEO & Chairman, 3Com   Dino Andreou CEO, OTEGlobe, Greece   Fotis Karonis Chief Information Officer, Romtelecom, Romania   Victor Donselaar President, Movial Applications Inc   János Winkler Chief Operating Officer; Head, Customer Business Unit, Magyar Telekom Ltd   Peter Ziegelwanger Managing Director; CTO, WiMAX Telecom GmbH, Austria; WiMAX Telecom AG, Switzerland   Carsten Brinkschulte CEO, Synchronica   Igor Zabolotniy Acting General Director, MTT - Multiregional Transit Telecom, Russia