Convergence of Technologies for Rapid Development

General Essay: Convergence In Technology

Source http://www.essays.cc/free_essays/b3/nyr79.shtml

The concept of a “global village” or a united community around the world has
only in these last few years become a concept widely thought of. However, it
seems that the idea of a large-scale sharing of information has long been
developing, whether intended or not. The tools of communication have long
served a single purpose, that of transmitting information from people to
people. Direct communication was long ago realised with sign language and
speech, but when people spread out, a kind indirect communication was
needed. Thus we created (or rather, hired) the messenger. (Necessity is the
mother of invention.) This evolved later into a postal service, connected
around the world by a network of synchronised offices of a similar nature. For
a long time, indirect communication was the only way to communicate over
long distances. Once the telegraph came along, however, people were able to
instantly communicate information over long distances. This evolved
somewhat into the telephone, which spawned the radio and television. As
these were developed, the efficiency and clarity of these transmissions
improved, and this allowed the world to know what was happening anywhere
else in the world at any given time. At this same time, programmable
computers were finally coming to be used. Information was input to these
machines and stored on tapes that could be put onto different computers to
be run. This paralleled postal mail in a form of indirect communication.
However, computers were also already based in intercommunication, because
computers are systems of smaller functioning devices connected to perform a
function or process. The evolution of computers’ communicating then evolved
by extending direct connections between these large systems, sharing
information. With the invention of the modem, computers could communicate
piggybacking a system that people already used. As the modem developed,
communications speeds increased. The state of convergence began when
people were communicating increased types of information through these
computers. First program data, statistics, stock market quotes, news, specific
interest information, and finally personal information. Computers became a
method of communication within themselves. The increased usage of
modems for things like e-mail and on-line forums came about even before
the Internet. Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs) had a short-lived but popular life
in the years leading up to the many commercial Internet providers we see
today. As communication increased in popularity in this on-line form,
companies became conscious of these opportunities and began to advertise
on-line. This mark a point of acceleration, because once Corporate America
finds an opportunity to turn a profit, then almost anything can become a
growth industry. BBSs became more elaborate with colourful interfaces,
developed their own client software for ease of use, and formed networks of
several bulletin boards permanently connected to provide an increased realm
of communication. This concept of large interconnected networks brought
recognition to the long established government networks such as ARPA-Net,
and those used with universities and libraries to exchange information. When
these were combined, they formed massive networks circling the globe,
which provided for long distance communication between computers
instantaneously. Commercial ‘providers’ spawned, giving access to this
network to individuals from the comfort of their homes. As the technology
evolved, such as in the development of HTTP and HTML, the Internet became
easy to use and appealed to people other than those highly experienced with
computers. To simplify the experience even further, companies tried to cut
out the computer in the equation, shaping technologies like E-mail capable
cell phones and WebTV. Conversely, as people were able to use TVs for the
internet, TV cable companies began to use their massive house-to-house
networks of previously laid dedicated cable (which was higher in quality to
the traditional telephone lines) to offer the internet on faster, dedicated lines,
that conveniently did not tie up phone lines while in use. (This improving
technology also allowed us the bandwidth to connect an ‘Internet phone call’
with someone any distance away, with excellent clarity and no long distance
fees.) Other combinations of computers and television are available in Cable
TV tuner cards that allow users to watch TV programs on their computers,
but computers can also use televisions now instead of the regular monitors.
New High Definition TVs also offer high-resolution images comparable to
those of a large computer monitor when supplied with a digital TV signal. So
where are all of these combinations of current and developing technologies
leading to? Well, through trial and error, some of these will no doubt lose
popularity or disappear due to redundancy. We are now given the choice to
use our computer, connected through the internet via our TV cable outlet and
displayed on our High-Definition TV, to watch a “TV show” broadcast via the
internet. The ultimate point of convergence I envision for the future is a
single fibre-optic cable in our homes (perhaps brought to us by ShawTel?) as
a conduit to what we know now as the Internet. Fad appliances like WebTV
will be eliminated due to their inadequateness and will be replaced by
integrated systems within a household. They will provide for our
entertainment needs with interactive broadcast programs, news reports of
only the stories or areas we request, and communication via a video and
audio connection to anyone, anywhere in the world. This battle for
supremacy over who will control the future of communication will be fought
largely between the telecommunications companies and the Cable TV
companies. Perhaps mergers will be sought, or some companies will be run
out of business because of their inability to keep up. Millions of dollars will be
lost and billions will be made, but the end product will create a closely-knit
global community, able to communicate instantly regardless of language or
location.

Introduction: Age of Convergence; Indian context included

Source: http://www.tfci.com/cni/converg/index.htm
Computing, communications and content technologies are converging into
integrated business solutions in which they amplify each other when used in
combination.

Together, these technologies are revolutionising the rules governing space,

time and form. For example, convergence is creating electronic storefronts,
service centres and bank branches where the old constraints of physical
space are eliminated. It is compressing cycle times and eliminating time-of-
day constraints.

Convergence is even removing form constraints from all types of

information content by capturing text, audio, video and human expertise in
electronic media.

Convergence is transforming information technology's impact from cost

reduction to exponential performance improvement.

Joe Carter
managing partner of Andersen Consulting's Centers for Strategic Technology.

The notion of convergence has been a recurring theme in the technology

business for the last several years. Now, however, the term is a reality rather
than a prediction. The indicators are clear and significant.

Marketplace penetration Information itself has become a product, so

of the PC is so deep, and
its use as a business and
personal tool so
ingrained, that it is an
effective platform on
which to build new
applications, products and
services that require
significant processing
power.
The regulatory
obstacles that had
inhibited competition or
cross-industry alliances in
the communication arena
have largely been
removed, unleashing a
torrent of deals and
promises of 21st –century
that delivery devices- be they consumer
electronics or PC – have become tools to access,
process and display the enormous range of
content choices available.
And perhaps most significant, a new medium is
emerging that perfectly encapsulates the notion
of convergence – bringing different industries,
marketplaces and technologies. Internet has
gone from a function but somewhat prosaic tool
of research and academic establishment to an
industry in its own right. In the process it has
given rise to new classifications of content-based
products and services, as well as a plethora of
services. access and delivery devices that blur the
distinction between consumer electronics, IT and
communications.

The trends, and the opportunities that underlie them, are breaking down the
barriers between industries and marketplaces at a speed that surprises even
the most optimistic industry pundits. Responding to these opportunities
requires cross-industry knowledge, cross industry access and distribution
relationships that span the full spectrum of technology and marketplace.

Shri N Vittal

The convergence of technologies is an important development, which is

having wide ranging indications. there was a time when specialization in
technology was the norm. One wondered whether like the Centipede which
did not know on which leg to move the specialization in science would
become very narrow and communication would be difficult.

On other hand, thanks to pervasive impact of digital technology, we are

seeing the coming together of computers and communications leading to the
development of the Information Technology. And even here, the handling of
information in the form of data or text or picture or audio has also been
made possible because of the convergence of technologies in computers
and communications.

These converged technologies are versatile in application. They are applicable

in any area of manufacturing or services and hence, become the dominant
factor in the economy, which is emerging. Information technology will
dominate the future and its strength arises from the phenomenal
convergence of technologies. An intelligent and imaginative appreciation of
the potential and opportunities of the convergence of technologies is a must
for any one concerned with the industry or business.

In the Indian context especially after the liberalization policy introduced in

1991. We are in the process a closer integration with the global economy.
India has already become a member of the Global Telecom Agreement and
the Information Technology Agreement (ITA). Systematic effort for upgrading
the information technology infrastructure in India and taking advantage of
the convergence of technologies therefore is very vital for India to play its
role in the global economy in the future.

Shri N. Vittal
former Secretary to the Department of Telecom, Government of India.

The Business of Convergence

Shortly India will have deregulated environment; applications developers are
essential to the telecom providers. Telecom operators suddenly will have to
deal with transmitting data along with voice. IT vendors and software
developers find a need to talk directly to telecom providers, and vice versa.
To do it effectively, service providers need to understand the needs of the
corporate users and application developers, who are independently
developing data-dependent communications solutions. Each side has to
understand what the other is doing and where they are headed.

• Digital PCS and enhanced analog wireless services

• ISDN, frame relays, ATM and gigabit Ethernet services
• Intranet gateways to the public Internet
• LANs and WANs to LANs networking
• Network and service management, operations support services
• Computer-telephony integration, including server-centric solutions and
services.
• And many more applications and solutions

Converging technologies are shaping the dynamics of the new marketplace in

India. As the world moves toward a global information highway, India's
cellular and LCS operator's satellite service providers, local and IDD Carriers
and Value added network operators will have to integrate their various stand-
alone networks into "India's network of networks," the advanced intelligent
network.

Bandwidth, once a precious commodity, will be in abundant supply, as value-

added carriers compete to turn up their networks central to that competition
will be large business users, hungry for ever more network intelligence,
greater control over their own information, and bandwidth on demand.

As the new era of advanced services is ushered into India, a country that
continues to record staggering growth in computer sales, it's easy to see why
India is one of the most lucrative emerging markets in the world.

The Top companies from all sectors of distributed computing and intelligent
networking, will have to couple their know-how with India's carriers and
vendors to accelerate deployment.

Software and Support Systems : Network management and support systems

are the new tools of modern business education and research, and
production and manufacturing in India.

With this has also come greater emphasis on new software approaches,
including object technology, to develop new services and, perhaps more
significantly, to manage networks and support systems.
India's carriers fully appreciate the portent of the Telecommunications
Management Network global standard, and the next-generation flavor of TMN
that makes it possible for multiple protocols to coexist, such as an integrated
and logical communications facility.

Corporate Business Users, Telecom Service Providers, Application Developers,

Hardware and Software platform providers, System integrators will now have
a venue that provides that all important close up to Telecom and IT, where
they can work as true partners, all equally responsible for understanding and
meeting the needs of the business user.

Convergence SCOPE: The topics includes, but not limited to the followings:

Topics 1: Introduction to “Convergence”

1. What is Convergence
2. Convergence of Computers & Telecom
3. E Commerce : Coming Together of IT & Business
4. Convergence of Communications Technology and Broadcasting
5. Convergence of Service Sector and IT
6. Multimedia : Coming Together of Entertainment and IT.

Topic 2: IT-based Convergence Technology and Service

1. Next Generation Communications and Networking

2. Data/Information Processing Engineering on High Performance
Computing
3. Secure Information System and its Applications
4. Intelligent Approaches on Information System
5. Multimedia Technology and its Applications
6. Broadcast Convergence Network and its Applications
7. Embedded Systems and Software
8. Telematics and Home Network Technology and its Applications
9. ITS
10.Game and Animation
11. Any other interdisciplinary research relevant to IT-based convergence
technology

Topic 3: HCI & Bioinformatics

1. Human-Computer Interaction
2. Computer supported cooperative work(CSCW)
3. Behavior in virtual environment
4. Multimedia Application
5. Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
 6. Health and Information Technology
7. Medical and Oriental Medical Information Technology
8. U-Health Care
9. Any other interdisciplinary research relevant to HCI and bioinformatics

Topic 4: Ubiquitous Computing

1. Ubiquitous Computing Technology

2. U-Culture Technology and Service
3. U-Tourism Technology and Service
4. U-City Technology and Service
5. U-Politics and U-government
6. U-Space
7. Any other interdisciplinary research relevant to ubiquitous computing

Topic 5: Business and Information Systems

1. Information management for business applications

2. Enterprise systems and architecture
3. Business systems infrastructure design for information integration
4. Service-oriented architecture; Enterprise service bus; Service-
component architecture
5. Modeling, simulation and analysis of business processes and systems
6. Technologies and standards for improving business productivity and
agility
7. Trust issues in business and systems
8. Value-based management and systems
9. Decision support and knowledge-based systems
10.Business systems dynamics; System dynamics in enterprise modeling
11.Database, data mining and business intelligence
12.Healthcare management and systems in business
13.Medical informatics, science informatics, and their business
applications
14.Information privacy and security issues and their solutions
15.Meta data and semantic web
16.Any other interdisciplinary research relevant to business and
information systems

Topic 6: Social and Business Aspects of Convergence IT and

Ubiquitous Computing

1. Convergence culture
2. Social Network
3. Social capital and collective intelligence
4. Complexities in convergence
5. Business transformation using convergence technologies
6. New forms of media and communications
7. Convergence in technological design and evaluations
 8. Convergent environment and behavior
9. Science and technology management
10. Psychological foundations of convergence
11.Empirical investigation of social aspect of CIT and UC
12.Economics of emerging technologies
13.Cultural studies and multicultural collaboration
14. Innovation adoption and technology diffusion in view of convergence
15. Any other interdisciplinary research relevant to IT-based convergence
technology

Technical Introduction: Technological convergence

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_convergence
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convergence
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_disruptive_technology_wit
hin_communications
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Generation_Networks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_IP
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Converged_device

Traditionally, communications media were separate and their services were

distinct. Broadcasting, voice telephony and on-line computer services were
different and operated on different platforms: TV and radio sets, telephones
and computer. Each of these was regulated differently by different regulators.
Convergence is the combination of all these different media into one
operating platform. It is the merger of telecom, data processing and imaging
technologies. This convergence is ushering in a new epoch of multimedia, in
which voice, data and images are combined to render services to the users.
Traditional convergence is noted in the combination of the personal
computer and the internet technology. This combination provides a
convergence of data processing, images and audio services. Recent
examples of new, convergent services include:

• Internet services delivered to TV sets via systems like Web TV;

• E-mail and World Wide Web access via digital TV decoders and mobile
phones;
• Web casting of radio and TV programming on the Internet;
• Using the Internet for voice telephony

There are five forms of convergence, these forms are not totalities,
however, they cover, to a large extent, the noticeable forms of
convergence:

• Functional convergence
 • Technological convergence
• Economic convergence
• Political convergence
• Geographical convergence

Functional convergence implies that technology today offers more functions

and services more that they were initially designed to. Convergence is
when, for instance, radio and television and other communication systems
simultaneously provide service to the consumers. It provides multi-services,
it is the coming together of broadcasting; telecom and computing, with a
single channel of distribution through which the individual consumer will
receive a wide variety of existing functions and services accessed via single
screen (Mitchell 1997). Convergence actually implies moving towards one
point or moving towards one another. It is the upgrading and merger of the
previously separated communication sectors through the advancement of
computer technology and digital technology.

Convergence makes it possible for one element to provide multi-service. An

illustrated example of this is in the mobile phone, which was initially designed
for voice communications. These days cell phones offer more functions: They
offer print and text media as in the Short Message Service (SMS); they
provide reception links to radio stations and access to broadcast information,
they provide links to access the web, they capture, send and receive pictures
and so forth. New generation of mobile phones are designed to capture video
images.

Technological convergence points to the way technologies are increasingly

converging into one. The availability of carrier technology with high
bandwidth means that, transmission is not limited to voice only, now data,
picture and other multimedia and interactive media can be transported in one
single carrier technology like the fibre optic cable and satellite technology.
One other noticeable technology that perhaps is the epitome of
convergence technology is the Computer technology. This technology
provides the most striking convergent service: Internet. The Internet
combines all know communication media into one single service on a
computer screen.

Braman (1998) notes that economic convergence occurs when an industry

becomes dominated by oligopoly. When the individuality of organization
yields to a more collective forms due to networking relationship. There is also
a blurring of industrial lines. For instance telecom companies are converging
through series of mergers and acquisition deals, telecom companies are
moving into new telecom market in addition to their traditional markets. For
example, a telephone company converging Internet service provision into its
operation.

The convergence of telecommunications and information technology has

also led to a geographical convergence. This has led to theoretical
conception of the world as a global village, where interactions and
communication are no longer hindered by distance. The satellite helps
facilitate communication irrespective of geographical location. Information
sent from Iceland could be received instantaneously in Burundi via
telecommunications link up. Observers also believe that due to the
convergence of economic and communication activities. Nations around the
world are gradually converging into regional blocs, driven by the ambition of
pragmatic economic and social concerns. The tendency towards a globalised
society is a typical instance of a political convergence. National regulators
are gradually converging into regional authority to manage the ICT in the
region. Decisions affecting the ICT sector world wide are being made from a
single entity/organization. Example is the WTO’s reference paper on Telecom.
This paper gives guidelines for transactions and operations in the telecom
sector. Many countries around the world have accepted the WTO’s guidelines
in their telecom sector.

Convergence is not limited to technology. In fact the convergence of

technology has resulted in the convergence of other social phenomenon of
in the communication sector. It has led to the convergence of hitherto
different regulatory institutions. For example, in South Africa the
Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) was the broadcasting sector
regulator, while South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
(SATRA) regulated telecommunications. The increasing convergence of
broadcasting and telecommunications led to the merging of these authorities.
The two authorities eventually became merged as Independent
Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), to regulate the entire
communications sector.

Convergence has also raised several debates about classification of certain

telecommunications services. As the lines between data transmission, audio
cast and voice transmission are eroded, regulators are faced with the task of
how best to classify the converging segments of the telecommunication
sector. Example of this is Voice Over Internet (VOI). The debate is whether to
consider this as part of Internet services and if so, it resides in the domain of
Internet Service Providers or as a voice transmission which is the market
domain of the local telephone operator. This is also problematic as VOI
transcends local exchange, it could be a long distance voice exchange or an
international voice exchange.

Convergence: A Macro Perspective

Source:
http://cbdd.wsu.edu/kewlcontent/cdoutput/TR501/page29.htm
http://cbdd.wsu.edu/kewlcontent/cdoutput/TR501/page58.htm
http://cbdd.wsu.edu/kewlcontent/cdoutput/TR501/page61.htm
http://cbdd.wsu.edu/kewlcontent/cdoutput/TR501/page64.htm
Important Pages: 57-72; just visit the following link and traverse through
the pages.
http://cbdd.wsu.edu/kewlcontent/cdoutput/TR501/index.htm
Traditionally, communications media were separate and their services were
distinct. Broadcasting, voice telephony and on-line computer services were
different and operated on different platforms: TV and radio sets, telephones
and computer. Each of these was regulated differently by different regulators.
Convergence is the combination of all these different media into one
operating platform. It is the merger of telecom, data processing and imaging
technologies. This convergence is ushering in a new epoch of multimedia, in
which voice, data and images are combined to render services to the users.
Traditional convergence is noted in the combination of the personal
computer and the internet technology. This combination provides a
convergence of data processing, images and audio services. Recent
examples of new, convergent services include:

• Internet services delivered to TV sets via systems like Web TV;

• E-mail and World Wide Web access via digital TV decoders and mobile
phones;
• Web casting of radio and TV programming on the Internet;
• Using the Internet for voice telephony

There are five forms of convergence, these forms are not totalities,
however, they cover, to a large extent, the noticeable forms of
convergence:

• Functional convergence
• Technological convergence
• Economic convergence
• Political convergence
• Geographical convergence

Functional convergence implies that technology today offers more functions

and services more that they were initially designed to. Convergence is
when, for instance, radio and television and other communication systems
simultaneously provide service to the consumers. It provides multi-services,
it is the coming together of broadcasting; telecom and computing, with a
single channel of distribution through which the individual consumer will
receive a wide variety of existing functions and services accessed via single
screen (Mitchell 1997). Convergence actually implies moving towards one
point or moving towards one another. It is the upgrading and merger of the
previously separated communication sectors through the advancement of
computer technology and digital technology.

Convergence makes it possible for one element to provide multi-service. An

illustrated example of this is in the mobile phone, which was initially designed
for voice communications. These days cell phones offer more functions: They
offer print and text media as in the Short Message Service (SMS); they
provide reception links to radio stations and access to broadcast information,
they provide links to access the web, they capture, send and receive pictures
and so forth. New generation of mobile phones are designed to capture video
images.

Technological convergence points to the way technologies are increasingly

converging into one. The availability of carrier technology with high
bandwidth means that, transmission is not limited to voice only, now data,
picture and other multimedia and interactive media can be transported in one
single carrier technology like the fibre optic cable and satellite technology.
One other noticeable technology that perhaps is the epitome of
convergence technology is the Computer technology. This technology
provides the most striking convergent service: Internet. The Internet
combines all know communication media into one single service on a
computer screen.

Braman (1998) notes that economic convergence occurs when an industry

becomes dominated by oligopoly. When the individuality of organization
yields to a more collective forms due to networking relationship. There is also
a blurring of industrial lines. For instance telecom companies are converging
through series of mergers and acquisition deals, telecom companies are
moving into new telecom market in addition to their traditional markets. For
example, a telephone company converging Internet service provision into its
operation.

The convergence of telecommunications and information technology has

also led to a geographical convergence. This has led to theoretical
conception of the world as a global village, where interactions and
communication are no longer hindered by distance. The satellite helps
facilitate communication irrespective of geographical location. Information
sent from Iceland could be received instantaneously in Burundi via
telecommunications link up. Observers also believe that due to the
convergence of economic and communication activities. Nations around the
world are gradually converging into regional blocs, driven by the ambition of
pragmatic economic and social concerns. The tendency towards a globalised
society is a typical instance of a political convergence. National regulators
are gradually converging into regional authority to manage the ICT in the
region. Decisions affecting the ICT sector world wide are being made from a
single entity/organization. Example is the WTO’s reference paper on Telecom.
This paper gives guidelines for transactions and operations in the telecom
sector. Many countries around the world have accepted the WTO’s guidelines
in their telecom sector.

Convergence is not limited to technology. In fact the convergence of

technology has resulted in the convergence of other social phenomenon of
in the communication sector. It has led to the convergence of hitherto
different regulatory institutions. For example, in South Africa the
Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) was the broadcasting sector
regulator, while South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
(SATRA) regulated telecommunications. The increasing convergence of
broadcasting and telecommunications led to the merging of these authorities.
The two authorities eventually became merged as Independent
Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), to regulate the entire
communications sector.

Convergence has also raised several debates about classification of certain

telecommunications services. As the lines between data transmission, audio
cast and voice transmission are eroded, regulators are faced with the task of
how best to classify the converging segments of the telecommunication
sector. Example of this is Voice Over Internet (VOI). The debate is whether to
consider this as part of Internet services and if so, it resides in the domain of
Internet Service Providers or as a voice transmission which is the market
domain of the local telephone operator. This is also problematic as VOI
transcends local exchange, it could be a long distance voice exchange or an
international voice exchange.

Deptt of Science and Technology: Kapil Sibal calls for Convergence of

Technologies
Source: http://dst.gov.in/whats_new/press-release06/convergence-
tech.htm

Union Minister for Science and Technology & Ocean Development, Shri Kapil
Sibal has said that unification of science based on unity in nature and its
holistic investigation is leading us to technological convergence of
nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and new technologies
based on cognitive science. In his address at the inaugural session of
ASOCHAM Global Knowledge Millennium Summit- Nanotechnology and
Biotechnology, in New Delhi today, he said that with proper attention to
ethical issues and societal needs, the result of this convergence can be an
unprecedented improvement in human abilities, absolutely new industries
and products, egalitarian societal outcomes and highest levels of quality life.

The Minister termed the potential payoffs of the convergence of the four
domains as mind boggling, ranging from enhancing individual sensory and
cognitive capabilities to fundamentally altered new manufacturing processes
and novel products to revolutionary changes in healthcare, to improving both
individual and group efficiency, to highly effective communication techniques
including brain-to-brain interaction, human-machine interfaces including
neuromorphic engineering for industrial and personal use and many more.

Shri Sibal pointed out that for industry, the convergence of the four
technologies has the potential to provide better value to customers at lower
cost to producers, offering the possibility of further profitability
improvements.
At the human level, it holds the potential to sustaining human physical and
mental abilities throughout the life span, which would exceed 100 years. This
would be facilitated by progress in neuroscience, cellular biology, at the
nanoscale and gene therapy to cure early aging syndromes. An active and a
dignified life could then be possible far into a person’s second century.

At the farm level, inexpensive nano-enabled biosensors could monitor the

health and nutrition of cattle, transmitting the data into the farmer’s personal
computer that advises him about the care the animals need. In the same
way, sensors distributed across farmland could advise the farmer about the
need for water and fertilizer, thus avoiding wastage and achieving the most
profitable crop yield. Bio-nano convergence can also provide new ways of
actually applying the treatment to the crops, increasing the efficiency of
fertilizers and pesticides.

The Minister said that while each of these disciplines and domains is currently
progressing at a rapid rate, much greater scientific and social progress can
be achieved by combining research methods and results across these
domains in duos, trios and the full quartet. One of the reasons that these
sciences have not merged in the past is that their subject matter is so
complex and challenging to the human intellect that we must find ways to
rearrange and connect scientific findings so that scientists from a wider range
of fields can comprehend and apply them within their own work. It is
therefore necessary to support fundamental scientific research in each field
that can become the foundation of a bridge to other fields as well as support
fundamental research at the intersections of these fields as well.
Convergence also means more than simply coordination of projects and
groups talking to one another along the way, integration is the key element
of convergence.

Admitting that the governments and bureaucracy are slow to respond to the
grand alliance of the four technologies, Shri Sibal observed that as a result,
the gaps between the potential goods and services, productivity, efficiencies
and conveniences being created by convergence in the ‘age of transitions’
and the behaviours of government and bureaucracies will get wider than ever
before. He said we must decide rise to the situation because those countries
that are slow to recognize these patterns of change will fall further behind
the more change oriented ones.

Topic: Indian Convergence Law

Source: http://www.cyberlawindia.com/cyberindia/convergencearticle.htm

The dawning of the 21st century seems to have had a magical effect on
India. The Indian Government has taken the emergence of the new
millennium as a signal to proceed forward in the direction of wholeheartedly
adopting technologies and giving legal recognition to the same and regulating
the same. This new chapter began with the passing of India’s first Cyberlaw
namely, the Information Technology Act, 2001 on 17th May, 2000.
Immediately, thereafter, the Government embarked upon the move to
regulate the convergence industry given the impending scenario of
convergence of technology. Keeping this end in mind, the Government
came across numerous drafts on The Convergence Bill in the country which
were open to public debate on the web before final tabling The
Communication Convergence Bill, 2001 in the lower house of the Parliament
in the recently concluded Parliament session. As convergence is an all
encompassing phenomenon, it is important for us to analyze in detail the
new proposed Indian Convergence Law.

The new proposed Convergence Law aims to promote, facilitate and develop
in an orderly manner the carriage and content of communications including
broadcasting, telecommunications and multimedia. It further aims to
establish an autonomous commission to regulate carriage of all forms of
communication.

The new proposed law mandates that no one shall use any part of the
spectrum without assignment from the Central Government or the statutory
body under the new law namely, the Communications Commission of India .

Similarly, owning or providing any network infrastructure facility or providing

any network services or any network application services or any value added
network application services or any content application services without a
proper license or registration under the proposed law has been made illegal.
It has been mandatory to have a license before possessing any wireless
equipment.

The new proposed law seeks to establish the Communications Commission of

India ( CCI in short) as the super-regulator in India in the context of
convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting, data communication,
multi media and other related technologies and services. The objectives of
the proposed CCI range from developing communications sector in a
competitive environment and in consumer interests to making the
communication services available at affordable costs to all. It further aims to
increase access to information for greater empowerment of citizens and
hopes to make strides in the direction of establishing a modern and effective
communication infrastructure taking into account the convergence of
Information technology, media, telecommunications and consumer
electronics.

The Communications Commission of India (CCI) seeks to establish an open

licensing policy and ensure a level playing field for all operators and to
promote equitable, non-discriminatory interconnection across various
networks,

Towards that end in view, the CCI has been given immense powers. The new
law deals with the important issue of licensing or registration of the specified
categories of services. The CCI has been empowered to grant licenses in its
discretion for five different categories:-

1. To provide or own network infrastructure facilities. This category has been

defined by the explanation to include earth stations, cable infrastructure,
wireless equipments, towers, posts, ducts and pits used in conjunction with
other communication infrastructure, and distribution facilities including
facilities for broadcasting distribution;

2. To provide networking services. This category has been defined to include

band-width services, fixed links and mobile links;

3. To provide network application services. This category has been defined to

include public switched telephony, public cellular telephony, global mobile
personal communication by satellite, internet protocol telephony, radio
paging services, public mobile radio trunking services, public switched data
services and broadcasting (radio or television service excluding continued)

4. To provide content application services. This category has been defined to

include satellite broadcasting, subscription broadcasting, terrestrial free to air
television broadcasting and terrestrial radio broadcasting;

5. To provide value added network application services such as internet

services and unified messaging services. This category has been defined to
specifically exclude information technology enabled services. Thus, IT
enabled services such as call centers, electronic-commerce, tele-banking,
tele-education, tele-trading, tele-medicine, videotex and video conferencing
shall not be licensed under the new legislation.

The new proposed law seeks to establish a distinction between civil wrongs
and penal offences.

Adjudication has been provided for by Adjudicating Officers in the proposed

law who would have the power to decide civil liability which may not exceed
50 crore rupees.

The law provides for establishment of a Communications Appellate Tribunal to

hear appeals against orders passed by the CCI or the Adjudicating Officer.

The new proposed law also deals with the important issue of right of way for
laying cables and erection of posts. Various offences have been detailed
under the proposed new law which have been made cognizable and triable
by a Court of Sessions.

The new law has also given immense powers to Central Government and the
CCI to make rules and regulations respectively to carry out the purposes of
proposed law.
Finally, the proposed law seeks to repeal five different existing legislations of
our country namely The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, The Indian Wireless
Telegraph Act, 1931, The Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950,
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1987 and The Cable Television
Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.

The newly proposed Communication Convergence Bill,2001 has got noble

objectives in terms of providing for the establishment of a structured
mechanism to promote, facilitate and develop in an orderly manner, the
carriage and contents of communications in the scenario of increasing
convergence of technologies.

The Convergence Bill provides conceptual clarity to a landscape previously

defined by licensing agreements, telecom policies, recommendations,
judgments and undertakings. This bill is a futuristic Bill which represents new
possibilities not yet foreseen by existing laws. It has also laid down the
foundation on which certain laws are going to be developed in our country in
the times to come.

However, the new law is riddled with numerous controversial and contentious
elements.

Firstly, the proposed law is meant for regulating convergence . Surprisingly,

the proposed law does not define the word “convergence” in its definitional
clause .As a result, there is no legal definition of the subject matter that the
proposed law seeks to regulate.

The new proposed Bill does not seek to make a marked departure from the
previous drafts. On the contrary, it reinforces the concept of giving the
Government maximum regulatory powers in the context of convergence.
The new Bill is nothing but a reiteration of regulatory tendencies of the
Government to regulate the convergence industry which has yet to
effectively take off in India.

The proposed Bill provides for immense control of the Government. The
Government has been given the complete control of assignment of the
spectrum. The proposed super regulator CCI is nothing but a glorified mouth
piece of the Government. The same runs contrary to the objects of the new
proposed Bill.

While the new Bill aims to provide for the establishment of an autonomous
commission to regulate all forms of communications namely the CCI but the
structure detailed in the proposed law makes it abundantly clear that the CCI
is a commission which is anything but autonomous.
 The Government has retained all powers to appoint the Chairperson and the
members of the CCI on the recommendations of a search committee which
shall be constituted by the Central Government, thereby assuring that
favoured nominees of political powers that be find representation under the
new statutory body. What is the Search Committee expected to do, what
shall be its composition, how it shall proceed ahead to search appropriate
candidates has completely been left at the subjective discretion of the
Central Government.

The parameters of appointing the members of the CCI have been left very
vague. The proposed law states that the members shall be appointed from
amongst persons of eminence in the field of literature, performing arts,
media, culture, education, films, persons prominent in social and consumer
activities, telecommunications, broadcasting technology, IT, finance and
administration or law. Who shall be “persons of eminence” in the said fields
has been left upon the subjective discretion of the Central Government,
thereby bringing immense control of the Government over the CCI.

Further, the Communications Commission has been given no independent

existence of its own since it has to mandatorily follow all policy directives as
may be communicated to it by the Central Government. These directives
may include the procedure and mode in which any services are to be
registered and licensed by the way of auction in case of granting licenses or
in any other form. As such, our country can hardly expect an independent
and autonomous commission as has been envisaged by the objects of the
new convergence law.

The new law comes up with the concept of a content censor, though not in so
many words. The aim of the Bill is to establish a regulatory framework for
carriage and content of communications in the scenario of convergence and
telecommunications broadcasting, data communication, multi media and
other related technologies and services. Content has been defined in Section
2(9) to mean any sound, text, data, picture(still or moving), other audio
visual representation, signal or intelligence of any nature or any combination
thereof which is capable of being created, processed, stored, retrieved or
communicated electronically.

Consequent to the same, the new law has actually given immense powers of
censoring content to the CCI. The CCI has been given the mandatory power
to specify, by regulations, programme codes and standards which may
include practices to ensure fairness and impartiality of news and other
programmes.

The basic question as to what is the fairness and impartiality in presentation

of news and other programmes has been left at the subjective discretion of
the CCI which has to work mandatorily under directives of the Government.
The proposed bill also is silent on the factors which the commission(CCI) has
to follow as in order to ensure fairness and impartiality. No standards or
parameters of fairness and impartiality have been defined under the Act and
the same have been left upon the subjective discretion of a Government
controlled commission. This can be extremely dangerous for the freedom of
the press and the electronic press and is an attempt to tamper with a vibrant
free press and to force divergent viewpoints to toe the line of the
Government.

No sense of impartiality and fairness can be expected from a commission

which has been created by the Central Government which works under the
general directives of the Central Government and which has no independent
will or thought process of its own. Thus, this is a measure to keep control
over uncomfortable viewpoints.

The Constitution of India is based upon the concept of separation of powers.

Under the proposed law, both policy and regulation making as well as judicial
powers to decide disputes have been conferred a single body namely, CCI
which goes against the aforesaid legal principle on which the constitution
makers had sought reliance.

Huge elements of vagueness has crept into the proposed new law in as much
as the definitions of the categories of the services have been provided in
such vague manner so as to admit various conflicting interpretations. The
definition of “value added network application services” is standing on unsure
ground more so in the light of the fact that it has specifically excluded I T
enables services such as call centers, electronic commerce, tele-banking,
tele-education, tele-medicine, ,tele-trading, videotex and video conferencing
etc from the ambit of licensing under the proposed law.

Vast range of discretionary powers have been granted in the hands of the
Central Government for the exercise of which, no parameters or standards
have been laid down under the Communication Convergence Bill.

The proposed law seeks much to be desired. It is a haphazard legislation

based substantially on the skeletal structure of the Information Technology
Act,2000 . In a number of provisions , the exact language of the
corresponding provisions of the I T Act, 2000 are reproduced.

The proposed law belies the expectation of the common consumer as also the
hopes in the convergence industry of an independent impartial and
autonomous body to be an enabler in the healthy growth of the
convergence industry.

While India has to be commended for its vision to think of a Convergence

Law yet the timing for the same is not very appropriate, especially because it
is planned to be passed at a time when convergence is yet to effectively
take off and become a ground reality in India.
We as a nation refuse to learn from the mistakes of other nations. History
has taught us that the enactment of the Information Technology Act,2000 in
a hurry was a mistake, the realization of which is drawing today.

Let us not be in a hurry to pass a law on convergence without taking all the
appropriate inputs in mind. This is absolutely essential given the futuristic
nature of the proposed legislation

It is also hoped that the proposed law should be the subject of immense
discussion in the Parliament and should undergo some radical changes before
being passed. If this is not done, the days of the government acting as an
omnipotent factor in the convergence industry are not far off . This is the
time to analyze the various legal issues raised by the proposed
Convergence Bill 2001 before the said bill becomes the law of our country.

All eyes are now on the Parliament for what the country needs in the present
context is minimum regulation and more enablement. All said and done, this
is indeed an exciting time in the formative years of the Indian Convergence
Law.

The author Pavan Duggal, Supreme Court Advocate can be contacted at his
email pduggal@vsnl.com, pavanduggal@hotmail.com

Speech: Dr. Abdul Kalam on Convergence of Technologies and world

knowledge platform

Source: http://ansit.wordpress.com/2007/01/30/dr-abdul-kalam-
on-convergence-of-technologies-and-world-knowledge-platform/

Here is a copy of the speech which Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had given when he
visited CIT for its Golden Jubilee valedictory function. He chose the topic
convergence of technologies and he said it will be convergence of
technologies that will rule the world and that there will be lot of scope for
Bio-Informatics, Nanotechnology and other convergence technology. He
also mentioned about shairng of knowledge between countries, and by these
joint ventures, new products can be developed.

India in transformation

India is well on its way to become a knowledge power, there are all round
growth in all sectors of the economy namely the agriculture, manufacturing
and services. Today we have an opportunity to take the leadership in the
knowledge revolution. Knowledge Revolution is indeed the foundation for
leading India into a Developed Nation. For this, the time is ripe because of
the ascending trajectory of the economy, availability of great institutions for
capacity building of the human resource, abundant bio-diversity, and other
natural resources and above all, our 540 million youth who are determined to
make the nation prosperous, happy and a safe place to live well before 2020.
With this background India must take the lead in mobilizing and integrating
national and international knowledge resources. Keeping this in mind, I
would like to discuss with you on Convergence of Technologies, Societal
Grid leading to World Knowledge Platform.

Convergence of Technologies

The information technology and communication technology have already

converged leading to Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Information Technology combined with bio-technology has led to bio-
informatics. Now, Nano-technology is knocking at our doors. It is the field of
the future that will replace microelectronics and many fields with tremendous
application potential in the areas of medicine, electronics and material
science. When Nano technology and ICT meet, integrated silicon electronics,
photonics are born and it can be said that material convergence will
happen. With material convergence and biotechnology linked, a new
science called Intelligent Bioscience will be born which would lead to a
disease free, happy and more intelligent human habitat with longevity and
high human capabilities. Convergence of bio-nano-info technologies can
lead to the development of nano robots. Nano robots when they are injected
into a patient, my expert friends say, it will diagnose and deliver the
treatment exclusively in the affected area and then the nano-robot gets
digested as it is a DNA based product.

Convergence of ICT, aerospace and Nano technologies will emerge and

revolutionize the aerospace industry and electronics leading to nano
computing systems. This technological convergence will enable building of
cost effective low weight, high payload, and highly reliable aerospace
systems, which can be used for inter-planetary transportation.

Bioinformatics:

The convergence of bioscience and IT into Bioinformatics has given the

thrust to researchers for genomics-based drug discovery and development.
Pressure is mounting over the pharmaceutical companies to reduce or at
least control costs, and have a growing need for new informatics tools to help
manage the influx of data from genomics, and turn that data into tomorrow’s
drugs.

Bioinformatics data play a vital role and emerging as a business model for
the medical and pharmaceutical sector. Key areas such as gene prediction,
data mining, protein structure modeling and prediction, protein folding and
stability, macromolecular assembly and modeling of complex biological
systems are thriving and IT has major role to play in these areas in bringing
the tools to manage the high throughput experiments and the data they
generate, and sharing and integrating all the data in a meaningful way
resulting into the detailed models of complex systems, particularly biological
pathways.

Bio Suite:

I launched the Bio-Suite at Hyderabad on 14th July 2004, which is an

important software package that caters to all aspects of computational
biology from genomics to structure-based drug design. It incorporates the
latest publicly known algorithms, as chosen by a panel of academic partners,
and has been coded entirely by the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) team,
using the software engineering practices. It can be used by academic and
R&D institutions, small and medium and large biotechnology companies. This
bio-suite was developed by TCS in collaboration with Council for Scientific
and Industrial Research (CSIR) and academic institutions for cost effective
drug development in India.

Nano Technology:

When I think of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, I would like to discuss

about three scientists who have laid the foundation on nanoscience and
nanotechnology. Mr. Richard Feynman, who described the concept of ‘building
machines” atom by atom in his talk at Caltech titled “There is plenty of room
at the bottom”. Mr. Eric Drexler, who wrote the book titled ‘Nano Systems,
Molecular machinery, manufacturing and computation”. Prof CNR Rao, who
pioneered and fostered the nanoscience research in India. Molecular nano
technology has enormous potential for future aerospace systems and health
areas. Research has shown that newly discovered class of molecules, leading
to the development of carbon nano tubes that they have multiple applications
in the system developed in the areas of electronics particularly nano-
electronics and power systems. Carbon nano tubes are normal form of
carbon with remarkable electrical and mechanical properties. It is hoped that
such materials could revolutionize electronic design and open the space
frontier by radically lowering the cost of launch to orbit.

Carbon Nano tubes reinforced with polymer matrix will result in composites
which are super strong, light weight, small and intelligent structures in the
field of material science. This has tremendous aerospace applications.

Molecular switches and circuits along with nano cell will pave the way for the
next generation computers. Ultra dense computer memory coupled with
excellent electrical performance will result in low power, low cost, nano size
and yet faster assemblies.

Energy for future generations:

The era of wood and bio-mass is almost nearing its end. The age of oil and
natural gas would soon be over even within the next few decades. The world
energy forum has predicted that fossil based oil, coal and gas reserves will
last for another 5 - 10 decades only.

Hydrogen fuel and solar rays are the two modes to get clean power. The solar
rays, when passed though presently available solar photovoltaic cells have an
efficiency of less than 20%. I would like to discuss the latest research in the
area of photo-voltaic cells using Carbon nano tubes which can give an
efficiency of over 45%, nearly three times the efficiency which the present
technology can offer.

CNT based solar cells for higher efficiency

The low efficiency of conventional photo voltaic cells has restricted the use of
solar cells for large application for power generation. Research has shown
that the Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) based PV cell with multi junction device
could give maximum efficiency of 30%. Therefore, the present research trend
is on the use of Carbon Nano Tube (CNT) based PV cell. Both single wall CNTs
and multi wall CNTs have been used as electrodes, as electron acceptor,
which can split exciton into electrons and holes to produce electricity.

The CNTs provide better electron ballistic transport property along its axis
with high current density capacity on the surface of the solar cell without
much loss. Higher electrical conductivity and mechanical strength of CNT
could improve the quantum efficiency to the order of 35%. But, this is not
sufficient. Recent research abroad has shown that the alignment of the CNT
with the polymer composites substrate is the key issue and this aligned CNT
based PV cells would give very high efficiency in photovoltaic conversion. The
polymer composites increase contact area for better charge transfer and
energy conversion. In this process, the researchers could achieve the
efficiency of about 50% at the laboratory scale. The optimum efficiency was
achieved with the aligned CNTs with poly 3 - octyl thiophene (P3OT) based
PV cell. I am sure, scientific researchers in Coimbatore Institute of
Technology (CIT) will be excited to work in this area of research in
partnership with industries so that we can get large scale production of
aligned CNTs with P3OT based high energy solar cells. Now I would like to
describe the societal grid, which is essential for bringing the connectivity for
the billion people towards building the knowledge society.

Technology to Society - Societal Grid

Development of technologies and their convergence have significant

influence on the society in terms of knowledge, health care, governance and
economic development. To maximize the synergy between the various
components of education, healthcare, e-governance, rural development we
need to establish connectivities among them. These connectivities will
certainly bring seamless access and information flow among the various
domains leading to maximization of GDP and productivity; hence, there is
need for establishing the GRIDs namely Knowledge grid, healthcare grid, e-
governance grid and the PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas)
grid. This interconnecting grid will be known as societal grid. Knowledge
sharing, knowledge utilization and knowledge re-use is very vital by all
constituents of the society for promoting non-linear growth. Details of
Societal Grid are:

1. Knowledge GRID - Inter connecting universities with socio-economic

institutions, industries and R&D organizations.

2. Health Care GRID - Inter-connecting the Health Care institutions of

Government, Corporate and Super specialty hospitals, research institutions,
educational institutions and ultimately, Pharma R & D institutions.

3. e-Governance GRID - Inter-connecting the Central Government and

State Governments and District and Block level offices for G2G (Government
to Government) and G2C (Government to Citizen) connectivity.

4. PURA GRID - Connecting the PURA Nodal centers with the Village
Knowledge Centres and Domain service providers.
We have, so far discussed all the four connectivities required for the societal
transformation. With this transformation, India is poised for creating the
World Knowledge Platform for promoting synergy amongst partner nations.

World Knowledge Platform

During my visit to Singapore, Philippines and Republic of Korea, I have put

forward the concept of “World Knowledge Platform”, which will integrate the
core competencies of the partner countries to develop knowledge products.
This platform will enable joint design, development, cost effective production
and marketing of the knowledge products in various domains based on the
core competence of partner nations to international market.

In India, we have today an example of a successful joint venture which

harnessed the core competencies of two nations India and Russia, who have
different cultures, languages and design standards. The product which has
come out is of world class, much ahead of other countries due to the joint
working of best of minds from both countries. This proves that if the core
competencies of nations are combined, best of knowledge products can
emanate well ahead of time.

Missions of World Knowledge Platform:

The convergence of Bio, Nano and ICT is expected to touch every area of
concern to the humanity. The “World Knowledge platform” will take up the
missions, in some of the areas given below, which are of utmost urgency to
all of us to make our world a safe, sustainable and peaceful and prosperous
place to live:
1. Energy: exploration, storage, production and conversion

2. Water: treatment and desalination

3. Healthcare: Diagnosis, drug delivery system

4. Food: preservation, storage and distribution

5. Knowledge products :Hardware, Software and Networking Products

6. Automobile: Hardware and embedded software integration

In addition to the areas mentioned above, areas such as electronics, ICT and
Automobile Sector may also be focused especially in the areas of design,
development leading to productionization for meeting the market demands of
partner countries and the world market. The core competence of India is
software and the core competencies of the other partner nations are
hardware and software, it can lead to design, development and marketing of
world class systems that is equally dominated by the software intelligence
and hardware innovation. The world knowledge platform will also evolve a
virtual design centre with the participation of collaborating countries.

Article: Convergence of Technology and Diversity: Experiences of Two

Beginning Teachers in Web-Based Distance Learning for Global/Multicultural
Education
Source:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3960/is_200601/ai_n16027860/pg_1

Article: Convergence Technology – Theory in ’99, Reality in ‘06

Source:
http://www.evancarmichael.com/Branding/489/Convergence-
Technology--Theory-in-99-Reality-in-06.html

Convergence Technology – Theory in ’99, Reality in ‘06

It was the summer of 1999, and I remember first hearing the then popular
buzz expression “convergence technology.” What it meant was that the
Internet was fast coming of age, that web, TV, radio and print content would
all converge into one mass body of communication. The distinctive lines of
one format from the other would begin to blur, and all outbound
communications, whether in print, online, via radio, TV, outdoor, in-store and
the like, would all interrelate and point to one another in some meaningful
way.
In my industry, it also lead to the expression of “integrated communications”
as there seemed to be a growing need to build brands using more universal
methods. If your company sells “product X,” your prospective audience
should have a common “brand experience” whether they encountered
“product X” in the store, online, in print, on TV or on the radio. All roads
leading to “product X” would “converge” into one space, and hopefully
translate into a sale.

It sounded cool then, and it sounds pretty good today. The only problem with
the “convergence technology” theory was that in 1999, it was really only a
theory. In practice, the general consuming public was not really ready for the
lines to blur. They needed to circumvent the learning curve and catch up to
the emerging technologies. The same held true for most meaningful
explorations into “convergence technology” in the business world.

Today, in 2006, we have caught on, and with a vengeance. I’m in the
communications business and I can barely keep pace with all of the new
gadgetry and opportunities to truly enable convergence technology. The last
few years have seen greater mainstream usage of cell phones, PDAs, and
iPods. Satellite radio, direct TV, and now web-TV, a sort of hybrid of the two.
Blogs have given anyone that wants one a voice, while podcasts and youtube
have literally brought those voices to life.

Three years ago I thought it was insane that studies were done to measure
the number of kids who watched TV AND surfed the net at the same time.
Today, I’m realizing that the two will happen with greater frequency, and
from the same device.

From a communications technology standpoint, we’re in a whole new world.

Speaking of, you can join the millions who are part of www.secondlife.com
and literally live life in a virtual online world.

What does it all mean? Traditionally, business marketers have been slow on
the draw when it comes to emerging communications technologies. And I
don’t blame them. It takes some time to just figure out the next new thing,
let alone determining how to apply it a business context. Based on what
we’ve been tracking over the past 12 months, it seems more of the
marketing action is going on line, and more content is going “live.”

If you never thought you would see the day that your industry had its own
TV station (of sorts), think again. That’s where we’re heading.

Article: Technology and Global Economic Development

Source:
http://www.centerdigitalgov.com/international/story.php?docid=21126
In 1999, the population of Planet Earth officially passed 6 billion. A few
months later, World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn used that figure to
present a startling picture of the global digital divide. "Of the 6 billion," said
Wolfensohn, "3 billion live on less than $2 a day. And 1.2 billion live on less
than $1 a day. A billion and a half don't have access to clean water. A couple
billion don't have access to sanitation. In 25 years we will have 8 billion
people on this planet - Of the extra 2 billion, 97 percent will be in the
developing world - What is their experience going to be? And what does that
mean in terms of peace on our planet?"

Information technology is seen as a new tool to improve education, health,

economic opportunity, and the quality of life around the world, and Carlos
Primo Braga is engaged in that worthwhile mission. Braga is senior manager
of the World Bank's Informatics Program, and oversees the implementation
of the Development Gateway portal. Before assuming this position in June
2001, Braga was the manager of the Information for Development Program
(infoDev), a multi-donor grant facility administered by the Global Information
and Communications Technologies Department of the World Bank.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Braga served as a consultant to the

Organization of American States and the World Bank, and taught at Johns
Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies and the Faculdade de
Economia, Administração e Contabilidade at the University of Sao Paulo,
Brazil. Braga received a degree in mechanical engineering from the Instituto
Tecnologico de Aeronautica in Brazil, and an M.Sc. in economics from the
University of Sao Paulo. He also holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from
the University of Illinois, at Urbana-Champaign.

"We believe," said Braga, "that access to information technology is going to

increasingly have implications for how economies grow, for how governments
are more or less transparent, for how social services like education and
health are delivered and also for how the poor can be empowered and have a
voice in the political process. So our interest in information technology comes
from the fact that we believe that IT can be an important weapon in the fight
against poverty."

And in this context Braga points out, IT includes not only the Internet, but
such seemingly mundane technology as basic telephone service, lacking in
many areas of the world.

ABCs of the Digital Divide

Braga said the ABC's of the digital divide are "A" for access to the
infrastructure, "B" for basic skills to use the technology tools, and "C" for
content. "We believe that the private sector is taking the lead and should be
the one taking the lead with respect to the rolling out of the information
infrastructure," explained Braga. "We see significant differences between the
level of access - connectivity - in industrialized countries like the U.S., the
Nordic countries in Europe, and developing countries. But our assumption is
that under the proper regulatory environment, the connectivity problem will
be addressed through private-sector investments. In any new technology
there is, of course, in the beginning, a big divide, but then there is a
tendency for convergence."

However, said Braga, in the least-developed countries, such as those in Sub-

Saharan Africa, there are failures of markets, the risk of war, etc., so that
instead of a trend toward convergence, the opposite occurs. "In relative
terms, those countries are being left further behind."

Under the proper regulatory environment, said Braga, the private sector
should take the lead, and government's role includes exploring the
opportunities presented by technology and supporting public/private
partnerships. These, he said, "can extend access to the poorest parts of
societies in the developing world."

As for basic skills, said Braga, in the past, literacy was necessary to benefit
from economic growth. Now, however, digital literacy - the ability to operate
with information technology tools - is becoming more important.
Governments have a very important role, through public education, through
public/private partnerships that bring computers to schools, and through
developing methodologies that engage teachers in the use of information
technology.

The third aspect is the issue of content, said Braga. "We know that the Web
has an incredible wealth of information, but it's more or less like the library
of Alexandria with the lights off and with my teenager son as the librarian. So
it's not very easy for you to find relevant content unless you are a
sophisticated user."

More content is becoming available in languages other than English, he said,

particularly because of the expansion of Chinese-language content. But the
challenge is still how to get access to relevant content for local needs in a
local language. The Development Gateway is an initiative begun by World
Bank President Wolfensohn to address the issues of connectivity and content
with a focus on development.

The Development Gateway

"The idea was to put together a portal on development that would help
people sift through Web information and find relevant content for their
needs," said Braga. "So from the very beginning, the idea was - to create
partnerships in the different areas with organizations - that would take the
leadership in terms of animating that page and identifying relevant content
together with the Bank, and to annotate, to create metadata, to allow
comments and to allow a lot of interactivity with the users. So that was one,
basic framework under which we begin to build the gateway."

To help organize information on development activities around the world, said

Braga, the World Bank created the AiDA database, which he says is the
largest database of development activities in the world with more than
300,000 projects identified. "So basically we provide technical assistance to
the organization so that their websites, their databases, are ready to be
harnessed by AiDA so that you can go to AiDA and ask, for instance, 'What
are all the projects in education that have been funded by international
organizations in Peru?' And you get a list and a small abstract and the budget
and a little bit of information. If you click on the links you'll get taken to the
website of the organization that is providing the information. So it's an
aggregator and a mechanism of implementing standards for sharing
information among development agencies."

E-Procurement
The gateway also lists procurement opportunities. "So you can go to the
gateway, and say, 'Okay, I'm a company that produces medical equipment,
so I want to be alerted every time that the project funded by one of these
organizations leads to a procurement opportunity in this region of the world,
in this country or all over the world.' You just establish your profile, said
Braga, and receive an e-mail whenever that kind of business opportunity
appears.

"At this point in time, the service is free, but in three to six months' time, it
will become partially free, partially subscription-based. For those entities,
individuals that want to download the full document of the procurement
notices and everything else, then you have to subscribe. But for the basic
information and to receive the alerts about the opportunities, everything is
for free."

Another area of the portal is a sort of idea exchange based on specific topics.
"We have some development focuses, which are short-term oriented like the
reconstruction of Afghanistan, and the economic crisis in Argentina," he said.

"You have the Aida database," said Braga, "the projects database I described,
then the e-procurement component, then the last component, the country
gateways. In each country we are promoting the establishment of an
affiliated country gateway. The country gateway is a locally owned and
managed entity, that can be controlled by the government, private sector,
civil society, it varies case by case. The only preconditions are that the
government has to give the green light to the establishment of the gateway,
and the entity that is behind it has to be able to put together a coalition of
private sector, civil society and government to share information through the
gateway." Braga said there were currently 42 such gateways, in different
states of implementation

Private-Sector Opportunities
Braga said there are four different opportunities for private-sector
companies. "We created a foundation outside the Bank," he said, "a 501 C3
organization incorporated in D.C., which is the development gateway. The
foundation has support from the founding members, which are organizations
which have contributed at least USD 5 million over a period of three years.
The World Bank, Australia, Japan. The Netherlands made a contribution on
behalf of the Republic of Mali, (a representative of the president of Mali sits
on the board) the government of India, South Korea and Pakistan, these are
the founding members."

Other governments such as Switzerland and Canada and a number of

companies have made contributions to the foundation of between USD 1
million and USD 3 million. "This is the first level of participation." Braga said
that companies participate for a number of reasons, including the idea that
by expanding the use of IT, it will expand markets for IT providers around the
world. "There is no direct benefit other than the recognition that they are
among the sponsors of the foundation. When they make these contributions,
they have a say in the future of the activities of the foundation."

There is also a second level of participation, said Braga, with business

opportunities through the e-procurement component. "Private companies can
find out about opportunities happening in the developing world. We are
entering partnerships with national e-procurement portals in counties like
China and Argentina, to drive traffic both ways at the national and
international level through the gateway." In addition, private companies also
support specific topics on the portal area of the gateway or sponsor country
gateways.

Convergence of technologies, hope for the future: Kalam

Special Correspondent

TAMBARAM: Convergence of information, communication, aerospace and

nano-technologies are the hope for the future, former President A.P.J.Abdul
Kalam said on Saturday.

Speaking at ‘Aaruush 2007,’ a national-level technical fest at SRM University

in Kattankulathur, he said information and communication technologies had
already converged to form ICT, and IT had combined with biotechnology
resulting in bio-informatics.

“Nanotechnology is knocking at our doors and is the field of the future,” Dr.
Kalam said, adding that material convergence would take place when it
combined with Information and Communication Technology. If biotechnology
and material convergence were linked, a new science called “Intelligent Bio-
Science” would be born, leading to a disease-free, happy and more intelligent
human habitat with longevity and higher human capabilities, the former
President said.
On the responsibilities of teachers, he said their love for teaching and
experience in research were vital for the institutions’ growth. “Experience of
research leads to quality teaching” and this would in turn impart training to
the youth. He called upon the students to graduate out of educational
institutions as enlightened citizens, and reminded them that they had a
major role in making India a developed nation before 2020.

Righteousness

“When knowledge acquired is used with righteousness and courage in all

educational campuses, we will have empowered and enlightened citizens,
that was required for growth of the nation,” the former President said.
Outlining the distinct profile of ‘India 2020’, he said there were five sectors
where the country had core competence: agriculture and food processing,
reliable and quality electric power, surface transport and infrastructure all
over the country, education and healthcare, ICT and self-reliance in critical
technologies. “If progressed in a coordinated way, it will lead to food,
economic and national security,” he pointed out.

He urged academicians at SRM University to extend services under the PURA

(Providing Urban amenities in Rural Areas) scheme. Multidisciplinary teams
could be formed by SRM colleges located in rural areas to plan PURA
complexes in Kancheepuram district with clear goals such as education for
all, enhanced employment opportunities both farm and non-farm, creation of
rural enterprises based on the core competence of the region and provision
of quality healthcare to all people.

Other Sources:

http://www.wto.org/English/tratop_e/inftec_e/symp_march07_e/
symp_march07_e.htm#b
http://www.convergencetechnologycenter.org/