Big Data and the Future of the Internet and ICT

LONDON, February 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

"We are in the final throes of the complete convergence of telecoms and media," according to futurist Gerd Leonhard. He refers to this union as "telemedia", which has profound implications for the wholesale telecoms industry.  

"Companies competing through ever faster data and higher performing infrastructure will be competing towards zero," says Gerd and warns us that "Cisco estimates that within 5 years 80% of internet data will be video...companies like Facebook are already sitting on top of the telcos, using ever more data but with no responsibility for the infrastructure." Telecom operators will have to create new business models and improve IP connectivity in order to generate revenue from this future convergence.

"Interdependence is the only way for the model to grow," says Gerd, who is in no doubt that if we are to avoid a dystopian future characterised by mutually inaccessible "splinternets"; we need to reach internationally agreed standards and protocols. He advocates a kind of "Global Internet Council" as a solution but concedes that the appropriate body has yet to be established.

"Many people recognize parts of these issues; few people have a truly holistic view. Getting this story across is my mission."

Gerd Leonhard, Futurist, Author and CEO of The Futures Agency will be participating at Capacity Middle East 2014, as the Exclusive Keynote Speaker at 9am on Monday 3 March. For more details please visit: http://www.capacityconferences.com/Capacity-Middle-East-Gerd.

Taking place alongside Capacity Middle East is Smart Media Middle East which is the only event to address strategies for content delivery and monetisation across the entire content ecosystem. For more details please visit: http://www.capacityconferences.com/SmartMedia.

Both events take place at the Grand Hyatt, Dubai with Capacity Middle East taking place 3 - 5 March 2014 and Smart Media Middle East taking place on 6 March 2014. For more information please contact Ifalase McGowan on +44(0)20-7779-7228 or email ifalase.mcgowan@capacitymedia.com.