Titans Of Tech 2009 Focuses On Creating Converged Economy

Stories by JUSTUS ADEJUMOH

The 2009 edition of the popular “Titans of Tech” conference cum exhibition is to focus on enabling Nigeria to harness the benefits of creating a converged economy.
Don Pedro Aganbi, Managing Consultant, Technology Africa, speaking with newsmen in Lagos  revealed that the theme: “Realising the Potentials of a Converged Economy”, was chosen in recognition of the fact that this is the era of converged services.  “Titans of Tech 2009 is schedule to hold in April 2009 at the prestigious Muson Centre, in Lagos .
According to Aganbi, “Technologically, convergence refers to the trend of technologies to merge into a single medium bringing together a myriad of media. While historically, legacy technology handled only one medium or accomplished one or two tasks, but through convergence, devices are now able to interact with a wide array of media formats”. Communications services, he noted, in particular, have in recent times moved rather rapidly from voice only to voice and data and then voice, data and video.
He insisted that convergence has significant implications for industry, the consumer and the productivity of nation's at large noting that it will challenge existing business models, patterns of consumption, shared values/common experiences, which will in turn pose challenges for the policy and regulatory framework.
The ICT enthusiast said that a new industrial sector is emerging, aptly called by some of the interactive “multimedia industry”. This industry is developing as a result of the convergence of three more traditional sectors: communications (telephony, cable, satellite, wireless), computing (computers, software, services), and content (publishing, entertainment, information providers). Thus convergence is creating a whole new industry that will be the driving force for the economy going into the future, he explained.
Aganbi stated: “We believe that it is time to consider what the converged world will look like and the implications this will have. Titans of Tech 2009 would provide a platform for key industry stakeholders to consider how to promote growth and innovation in this converged world and ensure universal access to high quality content”.
He explained that the fourth edition of the Titans of Tech would also cover how to ensure the consumers can access the content they want, where they want and when they want it
Participants and exhibitors expected at the conference cum exhibition include leading telecom services providers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), vendors, software developers and vendors, Test and Training Centres, Auxiliary Service providers, Support Services firms, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Consulting Firms, Finance/Funding Institutions, among others.
Over 8,000 visitors, 240 delegates, 24 exhibitors and 15 speakers graced the two-day programme in the 2008 edition. The speakers included the Minister of State for Information and Communications, Ibrahim Dasuki-Nekande, President, Accra Institute of Technology, Prof. Clem Dzidonu, Director, Nova Global Markets Groups, Fola Odufuwa,   Chariman, Association of Licensed Telecoms operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, President, Nigeria Internet Group, Eng. Lanre Ajayi, President, NIRA, Ndukwe Kalu, Group Managing Director, Omatek Computers, Engr. Florence Seriki, Director IT, Federal Ministry of Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote and President Nigerian Hi-Tech Women, Wunmi Hassan among others.
Technology Africa is a multiple award winning television programme established in 1997 to report issues, trend, innovations and developments in ICT the world over with special focus on Nigeria and the African continent. Its mission is to bridge the digital divide through quality and educative programming, novel events management and innovatory lecture/workshop hosting.