Welcome to Connect-World, the information and communication technology (ICT) decision makers'´ magazine. We are the decision makers' forum for ICT driven development.
home magazine Global Africa & Middle East Asia-Pacific EMEA Europe India Latin America North America publishing calendar subscribe media media pack Global-ICT Africa & Middle East Asia-Pacific EMEA Europe India Latin America North America glossary specifications download articles recent articles free articles eLetter archived eLetter events ICT news press releases extras videos blog RSS podcasts widgets white papers about contact us about us our team faq privacy terms & conditions careers links sitemap

Connect-World North America 2005     Magazine introduction Technology is both disruptive and constructive. Throughout the ages, whenever superior technologies appeared they tipped society's hourglass and slowly, inexorably, drained substance out of the reigning economic model, out of the society itself, and filled the then current base with the marvels and tragedies of a new era. There is no going back to the quill, the horse, the telegraph, punch card or the heyday of the bulky black phone. The glass turned slowly once, centuries and then decades were needed for a flip of the glass. Today, given the world's vast pool of innovative talent and the unmatched resources they have at hand, the hourglass threatens to become an egg-timer. The Internet, convergence, VoIP, wireless, mobile, data management, utility computing, and more, pushing together have tipped the glass once again. What happens now? What course will the Information Age take, in what direction will the ICT sector move, and how will the economy and society, at all levels, take advantage - or not - of the changes? The inaugural issue of Connect-World North America looks at the promises of the Information Age and how the future is shaping up today: What technologies are going to be basic drivers of change? How will they act? What will the consequences be? What sort of change can we expect in our lives and in the society we live in? What will happen to today's businesses? What will the new economy look like? This inaugural issue of Connect-World North America will review these important issues facing the region's ICT sector, economy and society. The top decision makers in North America are being asked to examine and comment upon the theme: Turning the hourglass?The Rise and Call of the Information Society.     Theme: Turning The Hourglass Articles Contributors Feature articles     Article no.: 1 Topic: Canada: taking competitiveness to the next level Author: the Honourable David Emerson Title: Minister of Industry Organisation: Canada PDF size: 108KB   About author: The Honourable David Emerson is the Canadian Minister of Industry. Mr Emerson was elected in 2004, representing the Liberal Party of Canada, as the Member of Parliament for Vancouver Kingsway. Before his election, Mr Emerson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Canfor Corporation, British Columbia's largest forestry company. Mr Emerson began his career, while completing his doctorate, as a researcher for the Economic Council of Canada in Ottawa. His passion for public service brought him to British Columbia, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become the province's Deputy Minister of Finance. Mr Emerson left the government to become President and Chief Executive Officer of the Western and Pacific Bank of Canada in Vancouver, but returned to the provincial government as Deputy Minister of Finance, where he was quickly promoted to Deputy Minister to the Premier and then President of British Columbia Trade Development Corporation. Mr Emerson was then appointed to lead the newly created Vancouver International Airport Authority, which was responsible for developing, operating and improving the airport's services and facilities. Today, the airport is a major economic generator for Greater Vancouver and the province. David Emerson attended the University of Alberta where he obtained his Bachelor of Economics degree and his Master of Economics degree. Mr Emerson earned his PhD in Economics from Queen's University.   Article abstract: Canada is one of the world’s most connected nations, third only to South Korea and Denmark in broadband Internet and among the world’s top five in business connectivity. Public-private partnerships provide Internet access to all Canadians through public schools, libraries and public access sites. Canada’s social agenda, though, requires a powerful economic engine. Canada is fuelling that engine by building a fully e-enabled economy, by investing in people, in new ideas and smart government and by promoting trade and investment.   Read the article     Article no.: 2 Topic: Technology calling! Is society answering? Author: Matthew J. Flanigan Title: President Organisation: Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) PDF size: 92KB   About author: Matthew J. Flanigan is the President of the Telecommunications Industry Association. The TIA is a leading trade association, serving the communications and information technology industry, representing member companies that manufacture or supply the products and services used in global communications. Before becoming TIA President, Mr Flanigan held several positions at Cognitronics Corporation, a publicly owned voice processing equipment manufacturer. Mr Flanigan began his career at Cognitronics working in various sales, manufacturing and engineering positions and rose to be President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr Flanigan serves on the NumereX Corporation Board of Directors and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Electronic Industries Foundation, the philanthropic sector of Electronic Industries Alliance.   Article abstract: Communications innovations outpace legislative and regulatory attempts to keep up, so laws and policies become outdated. Governments cannot keep pace with the inventiveness that sends voice, video and data via digital bits and bytes. From a public policy perspective, governments in North America and throughout the world need to provide a non-invasive regulatory environment, foster a climate conducive to innovation and investment, promote universal broadband connectivity, enhance competition, eliminate regulatory barriers to investment, minimize telecommunications taxation and facilitate spectrum access.   Read the article     Article no.: 3 Topic: The exciting new world of communications Author: Walter B. McCormick, Jr Title: President and CEO Organisation: United States Telecom Association (USTA) PDF size: 60KB   About author: Walter B. McCormick, Jr is the President and CEO of the United States Telecom Association (USTA), a trade association representing the converged telecommunications industry of the United States of America. A respected Washington veteran with more than 20 years experience in telecommunications issues, Mr McCormick first gained experience as a trade association executive while serving at the helm of the American Trucking Associations. Before his trade association work, Mr McCormick headed the practice group on Regulatory Affairs, Public Policy and Legislation at Bryan Cave LLP. Before practicing law, he had a distinguished career in government. Mr McCormick, nominated by President George Bush, and confirmed by the US Senate, served as General Counsel of the US Department of Transportation. He also served for more than a decade on the US Senate staff as General Counsel of the US Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation and Republican Chief Counsel and Staff Director of the Committee. Mr McCormick holds degrees in Journalism and Law from the University of Missouri. He has studied International Economics and Political Science at Georgetown University, and has completed the Programme for Senior Managers in Government at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.   Article abstract: Cable modems, DSL or satellite connections to watch movies, play video games, talk or check email were unthinkable a few years ago. In the US, laws and regulations have failed to keep pace with the changes. Policies are needed to encourage companies using different technologies to invest and compete with new services. Policymakers can choose between government central planning and the free market approach that built America by taking power from the government and returning it to the consumer.   Read the article     Article no.: 4 Topic: Redefining business communications and business Author: Donald K. Peterson Title: Chairman and CEO Organisation: Avaya PDF size: 84KB   About author: Donald K. Peterson is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Avaya, a leading global provider of communications networks and services for businesses. Mr Peterson was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Avaya when it was spun off from Lucent in 2000 and was later named Chairman. Mr Peterson began his career in telecommunications with Nortel Networks and advanced through a number of key financial, sales and general management positions in the United States and Canada. He served as Nortel's Chief Financial Officer until appointed President of Nortel Communications Systems, Inc. Later, Mr Peterson served as the Chief Financial Officer of AT&T's Communications Services Group until AT&T divested Lucent Technologies and he became its chief financial officer. Mr Peterson earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Dartmouth College's Amos Tuck School. Mr Peterson is a member of the board of trustees of Worcester Polytechnic Institute; a member of the board of overseers of the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration; a member of the board of trustees of Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America (TIAA); a trustee for the Committee for Economic Development (CED); and on the board of directors of Reynolds & Reynolds Co., an information management company headquartered in Dayton, Ohio.   Article abstract: IP telephony is more than cheaper phone calls; it allows workers to work at home or anywhere else, with all the tools they have in the office. ‘Presence’, made possible by IP telephony, is a collection of technologies that changes the mobility concept from ‘any person, anytime, anywhere’, to ‘the right person, at the right time, in the right medium’. For instance, ‘find an expert’ software can rapidly connect a client to the employee who can help him most effectively.   Read the article     Article no.: 5 Topic: Transforming communications: fixed-mobile convergence Author: Andy Mattes Title: President and CEO Organisation: Siemens Communications, Inc. PDF size: 92KB   About author: Andy Mattes is President and CEO of Siemens Communications, Inc. Before assuming this position, Mr Mattes served as President and CEO of Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc., the US arm of Siemens ICN. Based in the company’s US headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida, Mr Mattes is also a member of the global Group Board of Siemens Communications. Mr Mattes had served earlier on the ICN Group Board with responsibility for ICN’s Enterprise Networks business unit, as well as ICN manufacturing and logistic activities and regional responsibilities for Germany, Europe and Latin America. Mr Mattes has also served as President of the Enterprise Networks division at Siemens ICN. He has held various sales and management positions throughout the company and was responsible for international sales at Siemens Private Communications Networks. Mr Mattes holds a degree in Business from the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany.   Article abstract: Today’s communications services let people stay in touch, conduct business, access information and be entertained, but the devices, applications and networks people use to communicate, access data and view entertainment are essentially islands. Fixed-mobile convergence, or FMC, is merging fixed and wireless networks to eliminate these islands and provide easier access to voice communications, voicemail, email, video or other services regardless of the device used. FMC should be common by 2006-2007; by 2010-2012, fixed/wireless convergence should be largely complete.   Read the article     Article no.: 6 Topic: Fibre to the Internet: the last-mile endgame Author: Krish Prabhu Title: Chief Executive Officer Organisation: Tellabs PDF size: 96KB   About author: Krish A. Prabhu is CEO and President of Tellabs and a member of the board of directors. Before joining Tellabs in 2004, Mr Prabhu was a venture partner at Morgenthaler Ventures. He had served previously as Chief Operating Officer of Alcatel Telecom and as Chief Executive Officer of Alcatel US. Krish Prabhu joined Alcatel through its acquisition of Rockwell’s Network Transmission Division. At Rockwell International’s network transmission division, he served in various positions in research and development and management. Mr Prabhu began his telecommunications career at AT&T’s Bell Laboratories as a member of the technical staff. Mr Prabhu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Bangalore University in India and a Master of Science degree in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai, India. He also holds a Master of Science degree and a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.   Article abstract: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) boost economic, social and cultural development, facilitate efforts to combat poverty and promote equality and gender empowerment. Developing countries trying to implement ICTs have often failed due to the quality of the available human resources. This is a dilemma, since many countries implement ICTs precisely to improve their human resources capacity. To foster sustainable human development, a concerted effort is needed to integrate ICTs into educational programmemes and to promote learning as a basic human right.   Read the article     Article no.: 7 Topic: Transforming communities with optical broadband services Author: Philippe Morin Title: Vice President and General Manager, Optical Networks Business Organisation: Nortel Networks PDF size: 256KB   About author: Philippe Morin is Vice President and General Manager of the Optical Networks business for Nortel Networks. Mr Morin joined Nortel Networks as a test engineer and has since held numerous roles of increasing accountability in the areas of manufacturing, marketing, sales and product management in North America and Europe. Philippe Morin serves on several boards of directors including l'Institut International des Télécommunications (IIT) and l'Institut National d'Optique (INO) to encourage telecom investment in the province of Quebec. Mr Morin holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from Université Laval in Quebec City and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from McGill University in Montréal.   Article abstract: Access to the Internet plays a disproportionate role in economic success. Rural communities without high-speed communications face disadvantages. These want their economies to grow, want their citizens and businesses to have the opportunities and services of larger urban centres. Broadband access is a key to the growth and well being of these communities. Optical broadband, using the fibre assets that utility companies have in place to serve their internal needs, can often provide the service these communities so urgently need.   Read the article     Article no.: 8 Topic: Integrating IT and telecom Author: Isabelle Courville Title: President Organisation: Bell Canada Enterprise Market Group PDF size: 72KB   About author: Isabelle Courville is the President of Bell Canada’s Enterprise group. Previously, Ms Courville was President and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Nordiq Group Inc. (Télébec-NorthernTel) where she successfully spearheaded the creation of the Bell Nordiq Income Fund, the first of its kind in Canada. Ms Courville also brought to fruition the integration of Télébec and NorthernTel. As Senior Vice President–Supply Chain and Capital Management, she administered Bell’s Capital programme and oversaw the planning and monitoring of Bell Canada’s investments. Mr Courville also led the team responsible for managing Stentor’s national and international alliances as Vice President–Alliances and Legal Services at the Stentor Resource Centre. For a second year, Ms Courville is serving as president of the Telecommunications division for the Centraide of Greater Montreal campaign. She is also co-chair of the Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur’s 2003 fundraising campaign. Isabelle Courville holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics from the École Polytechnique de Montréal and a Bachelor's degree in Civil Law from McGill University. She is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec, the Barreau du Québec and the Canadian Bar Association.   Article abstract: Integrated communications is more than bringing voice and data together; it is a key driver of profitable growth and service differentiation. As more and more organisations implement adaptive IT infrastructures, there is a compelling need to blend traditional IT and telecom systems to implement creative solutions to everyday business problems. This, however, requires planning to encompass all affected devices, systems, applications and users in a single ecosystem. Planning for integrated communications must incorporate behaviour management, performance management and security management.   Read the article     Article no.: 9 Topic: The new world of voice Author: Chris Rice Title: Executive Vice President, Network Planning and Engineering Organisation: SBC Communications PDF size: 104KB   About author: Chris Rice is the Executive Vice President of Network Planning and Engineering for SBC Communications. Mr Rice oversees the Network Planning and Engineering Group and SBC Laboratories, Inc. Before his current position, he was responsible for defining SBC’s enterprise-wide technology direction, new technology introduction, platform development and network regulatory matters. Mr Rice has also served as Vice President of Network Engineering for SBC Southwest and SBC SNET, as Vice President-Network Planning and Engineering for SBC Internet Services, and in a variety of other management positions in network operations, network engineering, network planning, project management and outside plant operations. Mr Rice began his career with Southwestern Bell Telephone in toll switching systems and network operations. He later joined Bell Communications Research (Bellcore) and then served as Vice President-Network Planning and Engineering for Southwestern Bell Messaging Inc. Mr Rice was awarded one Texas Synergy Award for the Interdepartmental Showcase and another Texas Synergy Award for Addison 1 AESS to DMS-100 Conversion. Mr Rice received a BS in Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.   Article abstract: The Internet Protocol has created a revolution in communications by enabling the delivery of voice, data and video services through a single broadband pipeline. The convergence of networks has made it possible to access all types of communications from any available device. Unified messaging services for voice, faxes and email, seamless and ubiquitous interactivity between fixed and wireless networks while on the move, and a consistent experience whenever, wherever and however one communicates are the hallmarks of this communications revolution.   Read the article     Article no.: 10 Topic: Seamless mobility: the everything everywhere anytime future Author: Padmasree Warrior Title: Chief Technology Officer Organisation: Motorola Corporation PDF size: 72KB   About author: Padmasree Warrior is a Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Motorola. Ms Warrior is responsible for Motorola Labs, the global software group and emerging early-stage businesses. Ms Warrior’s operational responsibilities include leading a global team of 4,600 technologists, prioritising technology programmes, creating value from intellectual property, guiding creative research from innovation through early-stage commercialisation and influencing standards and roadmaps. Ms Warrior also serves as a technology advisor to the office of the chairman and to the board’s technology and design steering committee. Ms Warrior has held a series of key posts, including Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Motorola’s Energy Systems Group, General Manager of Thoughtbeam, Inc.–a wholly owned Motorola subsidiary–and as Corporate Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Motorola’s Semiconductor Products Sector (SPS). MS degree in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in New Delhi, India. She has served on the Texas Governor’s Council for Digital Economy, and is a member of the Texas Higher Education Board review panel. Ms Warrior was one of six women, nationwide, selected to receive the ‘Women Elevating Science and Technology’ award from Working Woman magazine in 2001. She also is a director of Ferro Corporation.   Article abstract: Seamless mobility will provide easy, uninterrupted access to what people value most–communication, information, entertainment, monitoring and control. Seamless mobility will, using sensors to determine the user’s need, transparently transfer a call to whatever network or device–mobile, WiFi, fixed, cell phone, PC or TV–best suits his needs as he moves from office to car and to home. This will require advanced technologies, standards, applications, enhanced privacy and security, and a legislative and regulatory environment that fosters innovation.   Read the article     Article no.: 11 Topic: Convergence, the law and the future of the ICT sector Author: John R. Janowiak Title: Senior Director Organisation: International Engineering Consortium (IEC) PDF size: 60KB   About author: John R. Janowiak is the Senior Director of the International Engineering Consortium (IEC), a nonprofit organisation headquartered in Chicago that serves as a catalyst for progress in several high tech industries through its presentation of educational conferences and technology exhibitions that link industry and academia. During his 20 years with the IEC, Mr Janowiak has held a number of leadership positions. In his current role, Mr Janowiak is responsible for executive and university relations; international market development and technology transfer between industry and academia. In this capacity, Mr Janowiak serves as IEC’s principal liaison to many information industry corporations and non-profit organisations.   Article abstract: Rapidly accelerating convergence has service providers, carriers, content producers and manufacturers working intensely on triple play–voice, video and data network–architecture, content and applications to attract consumers. As quality improves, VoIP is eroding traditional voice services and threatening traditional telcos. Digital video recording, which lets TV watchers choose when to watch their favourite shows, and IPTV will profoundly change traditional broadcast models. Old-line telcos and broadcasters alike will have to continuously re-invent themselves to face the new competition.   Read the article     Article no.: 12 Topic: The emergence of converged networks Author: Anthony C. Neal-Graves Title: General Manager, Modular Communications Platform Division Organisation: Intel PDF size: 112KB   About author: Anthony C. Neal-Graves is the General Manager of Intel’s Modular Communications Platform Division, responsible for the development of standards-based, modular board and system level building blocks for the communications market. Mr Neal-Graves joined Intel from Lucent Technologies where he was general manager for the company's eBusiness Applications Group. During his 20-year career with AT&T, Bell Laboratories and Lucent, Mr Neal-Graves has held numerous senior-level positions in development, marketing and sales of communications products. Mr Neal-Graves holds a BSEE degree from Polytechnic Institute of New York and an MSCS degree from the University of Southern California. He participated in the Congressional Fellows Programme at the Brookings Institution.   Article abstract: Standards-based hardware, software and architectures are opening up telecom networks. The modular, standards-based, telecom network has facilitated the rapid adoption of VoIP and converged networks. New IP-based communications and collaboration applications reduce costs and increase productivity; they help businesses connect their mobile workforce to the customer and the office wherever they may be, as well as help them compete in the global economy. Moreover, by adopting web development paradigms, common tools and techniques can be used for both voice and data applications.   Read the article     Article no.: 13 Topic: Identity and the future of e-commerce Author: Roger Sullivan Title: Liberty Alliance Management Board Member, and Vice President Organisation: Oracle Identity Management Solutions PDF size: 88KB   About author: Roger K. Sullivan is Vice President of Business Development for Oracle’s Identity Management solutions. Mr Sullivan also serves as Oracle’s representative to Liberty Alliance Management Board and Vice Chair of its Conformance Expert Group. Liberty Alliance, an industry association of vendors and enterprise customers develops standards for federated identity management. Mr Sullivan was President and CEO of Phaos Technology Corp. before its acquisition by Oracle. Previously, Mr Sullivan was the chief marketing officer for Zions Bancorporation eBusiness Group and held senior management positions at icomXpress until Zions Bancorporation acquired the company. Mr Sullivan also served as Vice President for BIS Strategic Decisions' system consulting and Continuous Information Services and was worldwide director and programme manager for Wang Labs’ imaging products. Roger Sullivan is widely recognized as a leading authority on security, document and work process technologies. He holds a BS from Northern Illinois University and has conducted graduate studies in Information Management at Boston University. Mr Sullivan served as a Top Secret Security Control Officer for the US Army Security Agency.   Article abstract: As commerce becomes e-commerce, businesses and financial institutions around the world are working together to develop standards for secure, identity-based, web services. Federated identity, a system similar to that used by credit card issuers–where a third party, the card issuer, vouches for the identity and creditworthiness of the buyer and circles of trust–where an individual trusted by a member of a circle is automatically trusted by all the members–are the keys to the new identity standards.   Read the article     Article no.: 14 Topic: Content owner to connected consumer–managing the digital content ecosystem Author: Vernon Irvin Title: Executive Vice President, VeriSign Organisation: Telecommunications Services Group PDF size: 124KB   About author: Vernon Irvin is the Executive Vice President and General Manager of VeriSign’s Communications Services. Mr Irvin has led the transformation of the global communications practice, including the integration of key acquisitions such as UNC-Embratel, Illuminet, HO Systems, Unimobile and Jamba!. He is currently responsible for the communications division’s global operations. Mr Irvin joined VeriSign from American Management Systems (AMS), a business and IT consulting firm, where he was the Executive Vice President of the global communications, media and entertainment division. Before AMS, Mr Irvin was the President of the Content and Media Hosting Division of BT Ignite, the broadband and Internet services business of British Telecommunications, plc. He has also held executive positions at e.spire Communications, Ameritech and MCI. Vernon Irvin serves on the Board of Directors of CTIA–The Wireless Association. He is a board member with the University of Southern California’s Centre for Telecom Management and serves on the Network Reliability and Interoperability Council, collaborating with public safety and federal agencies and the communications industry on homeland security and emergency network issues. Mr Irvin is also a board member of the William and Mary School of Business and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley. Vernon Irvin received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio.   Article abstract: The growth of digital technology–the massive increase in the availability of devices, bandwidth and IT infrastructure–has made it easier to access media at home, at work or on the go. Today’s consumer seeks interactive controllable experiences, but there is still no widespread business model to pay for such access. Advertising still pays for most content, since new technologies such as RSS (Rich Site Summary) syndication and DRM (Digital Rights Management) are not yet in wide use.   Read the article Confirmed authors (Order by article no.)   the Honourable David Emerson Minister of Industry, Canada   Matthew J. Flanigan President, Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)   Walter B. McCormick, Jr President and CEO, United States Telecom Association (USTA)   Donald K. Peterson Chairman and CEO, Avaya   Andy Mattes President and CEO, Siemens Communications, Inc.   Krish Prabhu Chief Executive Officer, Tellabs   Philippe Morin Vice President and General Manager, Optical Networks Business, Nortel Networks   Isabelle Courville President, Bell Canada Enterprise Market Group   Chris Rice Executive Vice President, Network Planning and Engineering, SBC Communications   Padmasree Warrior Chief Technology Officer, Motorola Corporation   John R. Janowiak Senior Director, International Engineering Consortium (IEC)   Anthony C. Neal-Graves General Manager, Modular Communications Platform Division, Intel   Roger Sullivan Liberty Alliance Management Board Member, and Vice President , Oracle Identity Management Solutions   Vernon Irvin Executive Vice President, VeriSign, Telecommunications Services Group