make the right connections - Connect-World

CONNECTIONS
Broadband has replaced basic telephony as the goal of many of
the world’s universalisation programmes. Not very long ago, basic
communication, basic telephony alone, was fundamental for full
participation in society and the economy. Today, however, with the
growth of the Internet and of the Information Society, telephony is
just the barest, minimal, communication service and broadband
is the benchmark for digital inclusion. Broadband makes distance
learning possible, brings social services, provides entertainment and
makes VoIP - almost costless calling - possible.
The theme for this issue of Connect-World Africa and the Middle
East is Universal Broadband Access - A Basic Right If so, How and
Why Leaders from throughout the region were asked to examine
what universal broadband access can mean to Africa and the Middle
East - both for business and to its citizens, and what can be done to
make available to all what is now coming to be considered a basic
right.
Connect-World Africa and the Middle East is an official media sponsor
of GSM ME Gulf and North Africa (11 to 12 September, Dubai),
Cards Africa (9 to 12 October, Johannesburg, South Africa), GSM
Africa (19 to 20 October, South Africa), Tunisia Telecom (1 to 4 November,
Tunisia), and Gitex (18 to 22 November, Dubai). In addition
to our usual mailings, copies of Connect-World will be distributed at
these shows.
In each of Connect-World’s editions
- Global, Africa and the Middle East,
Asia-Pacific, Europe, India, North
America, Latin America, and EMEA - global and regional leaders
look at the issues that drive the development of their home regions
or countries. Current discussions centre upon the changes wrought
in industry and society by the latest generation of information and
communications technology, especially Internet protocol digital communications,
broadband and personalised services - and how both
business and society are changing, need to change, as a result.
Connect-World sponsors many major industry events throughout the
world. Check our website, www.connect-world.com for a list of the
shows we will be at in the coming months. If you will be attending any
of these shows, send us a note. It would be a pleasure to meet you.
Fredric J. Morris,
Editor-in-Chief,
Connect-World
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means
electronical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without
prior permission from the publishers. The content of this publication is
based on best knowledge and information available at the time of publication.
No responsibility for any injury, death, loss, damage or delay,
however caused, resulting from the use of the material can be accepted
by the publishers or others associated with its preparation. The publishers
neither accept responsibility for, nor necessarily agree with, the
views expressed by contributors.
Editor-in-Chief:
Fredric J. Morris
fredric.morris@connect-world.com
Publisher:
David Nunes
david.nunes@connect-world.com
Managing Director:
Valetta Brown
valetta.brown@connect-world.com
Proof Reader:
Diane Cross
Connect-World is published under Licence
by WORLD INFOCOMMS LTD
Executive Office:
• Global House, 12 Albert Road, London E16 2DW •
United Kingdom
Tel.: +44 20 7540 0876 • Fax: +44 20 7474 0090
email: info@connect-world.com • URL: www.connect-world.com
Printers:
Express Printing Services LLC
ISSN 1741-122X
2 Issue 2006