WCIT 2008: Rebirth of the digital age

KUALA LUMPUR: ICT (information and communications technology) has the potential to bring about a rebirth of the digital age, according to Witsa secretary-general Dr Jim Poisant. But to actually deliver on that potential, he called on the ICT industry, governments and citizens to address what he said are four key issues and challenges.

In his keynote address at WCIT 2008 on Monday, Poisant said the first of these is maximising the efficient use of energy, which is at the heart of addressing the critical environmental challenges of global warming, resource degradation and pollution.

The ICT industry has made outstanding contributions to energy efficiency, he acknowledged. But it should keep working to make ICT products and services more efficient, such as by using smart building technology.

It should also work at reducing travelling and meeting requirements with teleworking and videoconferencing; make more use of alternative energy sources; expedite the development of energy efficient technology, practise recycling; and use renewable energy sources.

The second challenge is to open up more markets to ICT services as expeditiously as possible, which will enhance productivity and attract foreign direct investment.

“Witsa advocates eliminating tariffs and custom duties on ICT services because these services enable businesses and governments to take advantage of new technology quickly and cheaply for the benefit of all,” Poisant said.

“Witsa encourages WTO (World Trade Organisation) members to complete the Doha round of trade negotiations this year with a strong services component.

“In addition, Witsa encourages more WTO members to sign on to the Information Technology Agreement, and embrace an expansion of the product coverage under the current arrangement as soon as possible,” he said.

The third challenge is to keep encouraging the growth of the Internet by keeping it open and accessible to all; by encouraging industry participation in Internet governance; by promoting the changeover from the current IPv4 addressing system to the newer IPv6; and by putting in place public policy and governing systems that facilitate the use of ICT throughout society. The fourth and final challenge is providing relevant ICT education and employing technology to allow for the education of more of the world’s population.

“Witsa advocates the use of ICT in providing education to those who, for whatever reason, have not been provided with the opportunity to receive the education they need to improve their lives and contribute to their communities,” he said.

“If we protect our environment, open up our markets, provide for a safe and secure Internet, provide a relevant education for our citizens, and allow for the inclusion of more of the world’s population to share in the benefits of the digital age, we will have contributed greatly to the renaissance of our digital planet,“ Poisant said.