Fiber Optics Networks: Pipelines of our Networked Economy?

To move to the next phase of audiovisual collaborations, a country as spread out as Canada, MUST have ISPs using fibre-optic broadband connections offering symmetrical connectivity. Asia, Europe and the U.S. have already begun deploying this technology to benefit their economy, while the absence of similar programs in Canada could slow down our growth. What exactly is very high speed optics? Why is it so important? What is the global picture in figures for Canada right now? What should be the next steps?

Symmetric Network Bandwidth: All Regions can be Equal

When connected on symmetrical high speed networks, any region, urban or rural, can be a leader. The value then resides in the added value of the service or experience offered, not in the numbers of kilometers, between the producers and the users. What kind of new services these networks could trigger? What impacts can they have on cultural, economic and environmental development of our communities? What can happen when Canadians understand that Vancouver and Montreal are less than 100 milliseconds away from each other when linked by next generation networks?

The Wireless Challenge: The Future of Mobility

The recent explosion of usage and need of smartphones, data services and content have affected the global wireless industry by influencing the next wave of connectivity, behaviour and business. Mobility is a technical and human thread that links and empowers new industries, from healthcare to gaming to financial services. The next wave of mobility is full of challenges for all aspects of the industry: infrastructure support; increasing fragmentation; content licensing; and a need for specialized technical and design talent. What are the major concerns the Canadian industry will face over the next five years? How do we lay the groundwork to enable future innovation?

Startup Nation: Entrepreneurs, Apps and the Next Generation of Mobile

In the last three years there have been transformative opportunities for Canadian entrepreneurs to create new mobile products, services and businesses. App Markets abound, user adoption continues to skyrocket and the platform wars are highly competitive. What is the state of wireless entrepreneurship in Canada? Who are the emerging leaders in this space? And how do we continue to support the talented individuals who will revolutionize the next generation of wireless?

Usage of Networks - The Can of Worms

Sir William Cornelius Van Horne, overseer of the construction of the first Canadian transcontinental Railway said two things: "Nothing is too small to know, and nothing too big to attempt." and "The biggest things are often the easiest to do because there is so little competition." He considered the railway an integrated communications system, now it's networks. This session focuses on what networks are out there, how they're used and where do we go from here. What are the existing network security considerations? What are some of the integration opportunities? What is a NGN (Next Generation Network)?

What is the Impact of a Borderless Digital World?

Canadian educator, philosopher, and scholar, Marshall McLuhan is known for the expressions "the medium is the message" and "global village". This session focuses on the digital world will impact markets, ownership, regulations, content and service around the world. Who owns what? What becomes of roaming? What are the challenges that lay ahead?