Connecting the Unconnected from Glencoe to Gaborone
Future of Wireless International Conference focuses on social and economic benefits of extending global mobile coverage
10 March 2014: While mobile services enable huge social and economic benefits from the Highlands of Scotland to the sub-Sahara, they are meaningless unless there is coverage, says Prof. Simon Saunders, co-founder of Real Wireless and founding chairman of the Small Cell Forum. Prof Saunders will be addressing the technical, economic, regulatory and political challenges of providing coverage in remote, inhospitable or economically deprived regions, at the 6th Future of Wireless International Conference in Cambridge, from 30 June – 1 July.
In his keynote presentation, ‘Connecting the Unconnected – from Glencoe to Gaborone’, Prof Saunders will explore the cost-coverage trade-off, the role of backhaul and the rewards from delivering improved coverage in remote areas as well as filling in the ‘not spots’ that still exist in some urban environments. He will also consider the impact of new technologies such as LTE, 700MHz and rural small cells.
“It has been shown that a 10% increase in mobile broadband penetration drives a 1.4% increase in GDP in low- to middle-income countries,” says Simon Saunders. “Wireless is changing our lives in many ways, but connecting the unconnected in rural and deprived regions can quite literally transform societies and economies. The Future of Wireless International Conference provides the ideal platform to get these messages across and harness the hearts, minds and resources of the wireless industry to drive change.”
The 2014 Future of Wireless International Conference, organised by Cambridge Wireless (CW), will bring together over 400 industry experts and academics, along with leading humanitarian and international development specialists to focus on how wireless technologies can make a positive change to peoples’ lives and help address societal and global challenges. Other topics will include supporting economic development, improving literacy and health, ensuring public safety, improving the sustainability of the earth’s resources and cultivating entrepreneurship.
“This year’s conference also aims to bring together the established wireless industry with the next generation of wireless entrepreneurs, thought leaders and pioneers who will help expand the mobile infrastructure globally and deliver life-changing applications,” said John Haine, RF Technology Innovation Coordinator at u-blox and conference committee member.
The conference will be kicked off by Carolina Costa, managing director at Orange Innovation UK, who will set out the trends in global resources, demographics, economic and scientific developments that will shape the landscape over the next 20 to 30 years. Cherie Blair, CBE, QC, Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women will address delegates at the Future of Wireless International Conference Dinner and other speakers will include Jonathon Porritt, Founder and Director, Forum for the Future; Shawn Covell, VP Government Affairs for Qualcomm Wireless Reach; Steve Jones, Chair of Trustees at the Humanitarian Centre; Pete Hutton, President of Product Groups, ARM; Stuart Orr, Managing Director – Communications at Accenture; and Dr Finbarr Moynihan, General Manager, Sales and Marketing at MediaTek.
The Conference is organised by Cambridge Wireless (CW) – the leading international community for companies involved in the research, development and application of wireless & mobile, internet, semiconductor and software technologies – in partnership with the UKTI. It runs from 30 June to 1 July at The Møller Centre and Churchill College in Cambridge and also offers hands-on workshops, facilitated brainstorms and panels, alongside established plenary sessions, exhibition space with Start-Up Zone for up and coming technology companies and an Innovation Hothouse to showcase the winners of the 2013 Discovering Start-Ups competition.
The Future of Wireless International Conference is organised by Cambridge Wireless (CW) in partnership with UK Trade and Investment and is sponsored by: Accenture, MediaTek, Real Wireless, Qualcomm Wireless Reach, Rohde and Schwarz, TTP Group, Microlease and Agilent, Cambridge Consultants, S-Tech, IC Group, u-blox AG, InterDigital UK, Arkessa, Anite, Ranplan, Jaltek Group and Freescale.
For more information and full agenda, please visit http://www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/futureofwireless/default.aspx
About Real Wireless
Real Wireless delivers independent, informed and innovative advisory services in every aspect of wireless, from the technical to the commercial. It works with mobile operators, governments, venues, building owners and regulators to bridge technical and commercial domains to help its clients get the best from wireless. With experts in every aspect of wireless and a proven track record, Real Wireless is one of the world’s leading wireless consultancies. Its clients include Ofcom, Wembley Stadium, BAA, The European Commission, major network operators and many others.
For more information visit www.realwireless.biz; Twitter: @real_wireless
About Cambridge Wireless (CW)
CW is the leading international community for companies involved in the research, development and application of wireless & mobile, internet, semiconductor and software technologies. With 400 members from major network operators and device manufacturers to innovative start-ups and universities, CW stimulates debate and collaboration, harnesses and shares knowledge, and helps to build connections between academia and industry.
CW’s 20 Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide its members with a dynamic forum where they can network with their peers, track the latest technology trends and business developments and position their organisations in key market sectors. CW also organises the annual Future of Wireless International Conference and Discovering Start-ups competition along with other high-quality industry networking events and dinners. With headquarters at the heart of Cambridge, UK, CW partners with other international industry clusters and organisations to extend its reach and remain at the forefront of global developments and business opportunities. For more information, please visit www.cambridgewireless.co.uk
