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WITSA News & Views Volume 8 - March 18, 2005 For free subscription, email Anders Halvorsen Article suggestions are encouraged
WITSA ACTIVITIES
WITSA Chairman Keynotes at Costa Rica Insight 2005 George C. Newstrom, Chairman of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA), on February 23, 2005 delivered a keynote speech, "Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Prospects for the Future", at the II International Summit on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT): COSTA RICA INSIGHT 2005. See the speech here. The event was co-hosted by The Costa Rican Chamber of Information and Communication Technologies (Camtic) on February 23-24, 2005, and included ICT companies from all over the world. This Summit brought together software companies, IT, outsourcing, banking and finance, product suppliers, joint ventures, consultants, programmers, business incubators, scholars and government authorities, and all those pursuing strategies, training, business contacts, and new alternatives to do business and grow. For additional information, see the official web site, program, or contact Camtic Executive Director Federico Cartín Arteaga.
WCIT
2006 Names New Co-Leader Executive Team
High-tech
Businessman, Investor and Community Activist Ben Bentzin Appointed CEO;
Software Developer, Start-up Veteran and Business Lecturer Glyn Meek Becomes
President The
World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2006) on March 16, 2005,
announced the appointment of co-leaders The
World Congress is the world’s premier information technology forum, bringing
together global leaders from business, government and academia to impact
economic and social development through the exchange of policies, ideas and
technology. WCIT 2006 is expected to attract approximately 2,000 global
leaders from 75 countries to Glyn Meek brings to WCIT 2006 more than 35 years of technology industry experience, having held executive management positions in early stage companies, such as Triactive, and global corporations, including Dell and IBM/Tivoli. Meek’s extensive technology experience and business acumen provide WCIT 2006 with the insight and direction that is sure to position the forum among the very best. See the complete press release for additional details.
WCIT 2006 Adds Xerox, Sybase CEOs to Prestigious Speaker Roster The World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2006) on March 7 announced the addition of Anne M. Mulcahy, chairman and CEO, Xerox Corporation; and John S. Chen, chairman, president and CEO of Sybase, as featured speakers. Mulcahy and Chen are highly sought-after for their views on the importance of information sharing on a global basis. The mission of WCIT 2006 is to be a catalyst for social and economic development through the exchange of policies, ideas and technology. The conference is expected to draw 2,000 business, government and academic leaders from 80 countries, bridging cultures, borders and ethnicities.
WCIT 2006 and MOOT CORP Competition Put Business Plan Winners on Global Stage The
World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2006) on February 23, 2005,
announced a partnership with The University of Texas MOOT
CORP®
Competition, an event dubbed by Business Week as “the Super Bowl of
world-business-plan competition.
WITSA
Steering Committee to Convene May 2005 in Austin
Report from WITSA Executive Director, Member of the UN Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG): IntroductionThe second Preparatory Meeting for the Tunis Phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to be held in Tunis in November 2005 was held in Geneva on February 17-25, 2005. The preparations and the negotiations on the output documents for Tunis were clearly being conducted within a larger geo-political context. There are basically three factions at play. First is the overall U.S. versus the rest of the world context. This takes two themes. First is the perceived U.S. control of the Internet as embodied in the Department of Commerce MOU with ICANN, its contract with ICANN for IANA functions, and its contract with VeriSign. More broadly, however, is backlash regarding the U.S. involvement in Iraq and other issues such as the embargo against Cuba. The second faction is the developed-developing country aspect. This aspect is embodied in a backlash against competition and the assertion that developed countries, and industry in particular, is not doing enough to service the needs of developing countries. Issues such as the cost of interconnection for ISP access is an example of the frustrations of developing countries.
Finally, the intergovernmental versus multi-stakeholder approach is at play. A number of countries such as Brazil, India, South Africa, Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia and China have not accepted the multi-stakeholder environment of the Summit. They continually resist the involvement of business and Civil Society in the deliberations. For the first time, the countries mentioned above, among others, were explicit with regard to their objectives regarding the future of the Internet. Both India and Brazil stated that the only acceptable outcome for them was intergovernmental control of the Internet with the intention of regulating it. They found the current leadership of the private sector unacceptable to them, stating that even technical decisions carried political implications. Digital Solidarity FundOne of the main purposes of this meeting was to reach resolution with regard to the Digital Solidarity Fund, intended to fund projects aimed at eliminating the “digital divide”. Though that portion of the final Tunis Document was not finalized as hoped, a number of details became clear. The
concept of a fund was firmly accepted by all governments including the U.S.
Though the fund was classified as voluntary, that condition is in the
eyes of the beholder. Some
governments have espoused a 1% tax on procurements going into the fund based
on the voluntary decision of the procuring government.
Business made it clear through an intervention that this was not
voluntary from its standpoint. In
addition, the accountability for funds and the disbursement mechanism for such
a fund remain unclear. Working Group on Internet GovernanceA preliminary report by the Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) was presented and discussed during the session. The WGIG is a 40-member, multi-stakeholder working group appointed by the UN Secretary General to define Internet governance, identify relevant public policy issues, and make recommendations as appropriate. The Working Group presented a series of 21 papers on various topics that would provide the foundation for future work and indicated the general outlines of that work. The final report is to be presented to the Secretary General in July. In
general, the overall report was well received.
A number of governments indicated their displeasure that specific
inputs they may have made were not included in the report.
Considerable guidance was given regarding future work, but it is clear
that a consensus is growing around the need to address several issues:
Internet names and numbers, root server system administration,
multilingualism, peering and interconnection, spam, and security. Open Source SoftwareA
major issue developed over free and open source software with a number of
developing countries led by Brazil and India wanting the Summit to endorse it
over other software development methods.
Several sets of alternative language were proposed.
In the end, a compromise proposal by Senegal and Canada was withdrawn,
and the entire issue was carried
over to be discussed as a part of the Operational Chapter of the Tunis
Document in PrepCom 3 to be held in Geneva the second half of September.
All alternative language was carried over at the insistence of Brazil
and the ultimate acquiescence of the U.S. OutlookThe final report of the WGIG is due in July. Significant issues remain for that group to resolve during a meeting in mid-April and another meeting in mid-June. The most likely outcome of that report is a series of alternatives that can be considered by the negotiators rather than agreement on a single way forward. That report will be presented in an open meeting sometime in mid-July. PrepCom 3 is left with the almost impossible task of finalizing a few issues in a proposed political chapeau, resolving remaining controversial issues with regard to financing mechanisms and the Digital Solidarity Fund, negotiating text with regard to Internet governance, and developing the text around the operational aspects of the Plan of Action including the volatile issue of free and open source software. In all likelihood, that will not be accomplished, and additional negotiating sessions will be required prior to the Summit in November. Call to ActionThe private sector leadership in the Internet is clearly in jeopardy in the outcomes of the Summit as is the more general business principle of competition and the need for a reasonable business environment in which to do business. Powerful forces are in play at the Summit to regulate the Internet, discredit the private sector contributions to bridging the digital divide, and to tax information technology procurements to fund ill-defined, or at best, undefined projects in developing countries that are unwilling to enact changes that would naturally attract private sector investment. It is incumbent on business globally to interact with their national governments to create enabling environments and to resist attempts to place the Internet under government control. Not only would such a situation endanger the innovation and stability of the Internet, but also it would threaten the freedom of expression and the free flow of information globally.
Digital
Planet 2004 Now Available! Digital Planet 2004, produced by the WITSA using ICT spending data and forecasts provided by Global Insight, Inc., continues the global ICT expansion story begun in Digital Planet 1998 and updated in 2000 and 2002. Here, in a single comprehensive volume, covering the world’s 70 largest ICT buying nations and regions, is the fact-based tale of the digital revolution. Learn more about and order the publication here. See the press release, or executive summary and table of contents here. Sponsored by: Research Conducted by:
The Global Public Policy Conference is a flagship event of WITSA, Over 500 senior executives, government officials and policy makers from more than 50 countries gathers at this event, which offers unprecedented networking opportunities. On September 13-15, 2005, the Global Public Policy Conference 2005 (GPPC 2005), hosted by the Association of the Computer And Multimedia Industry Malaysia (PIKOM) at the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur, will examine the policy issues surrounding the digital revolution. GPPC 2005 will be a forum with valuable discussions of the "state of the world" in relation to public policies affecting the ICT industry. It aims to promote and educate industry and governments regarding the growth potential of the digital economy and at the same time, examine key ICT public policy issues and explore the key policy concerns of ICT businesses.
This is a must attend event for anyone wishing to get a first-hand information on trends and implications of global ICT policies as told by some of the very leaders who will shape its course in the years ahead.
Full
Rate : US$500 (conference attendance & all related social events)
PUBLIC POLICY NEWS
Annual Symposium Highlights WTO's 10th Anniversary The WTO will hold its annual public symposium from 20 to 22 April 2005. Participants from governments, parliaments, civil society, the business sector, academia and the media are invited to debate on the theme “The WTO After 10 Years: Global Problems and Multilateral Solutions”. Several heads of state and trade ministers have been invited to speak. The deadline for registration is 8 April 2005. See more information, a draft program, and a registration form.
Strengthening
Finland’s ICT Capabilities
WITSA MEMBER ACTIVITIES
AIIA's Salary Survey Contradicts Wage Increase Predictions Despite the talk of skills shortages and skyrocketing salaries, the ICT industry jobs market has remained stable over the past twelve months. Results from the Australian Information Industry Association's (AIIA's) latest Survey of Salaries and Remuneration Packaging in the Australian ICT Industry showed average base salary increases of 3.8% over the period March 2004 to March 2005, a modest increase which contradicts the predictions of a sharp surge in wages to meet skills shortages across the sector. The survey's forecast of the pool of funds available for salary increases in the next financial year also points to a stable ICT sector, with only a minor increase in funds being predicted. See the March 18, 2005 AIIA press release for further details.
AIIA Welcomes Australia-US Free Trade Agreement AIIA in a February 9, 2005, press release welcomed the announcement of the Australia US Free Trade Agreement, but is holding back detailed judgment until the full text of the agreement is released. During the FTA negotiation period, AIIA raised several issues affecting the ICT industry including government procurement, intellectual property, e-commerce and movement of people. All these issues are dealt with in the FTA.
Transatlantic
Industry Meeting in London April 11 An important transatlantic industry meeting in London on April 11 is hosted by Intellect - the Information Technology, Telecommunications and Electronics Association, the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), and the European American Business Council (EABC), in cooperation with US, UK and EU governments. One of the outcomes of the EU-US Summit held during July 2004 in Ireland was an initiative to create stronger relationships between the US and the EU. One part of this was to identify either areas where barriers exist to business between the two entities or areas where the two could be working more closely together to increase business globally for companies of the two economies. In order to support this initiative, the ICT business community in both the EU and the US is coming together to discuss and agree on specific actions that the two governments could take to achieve these objectives.
Participants at the April 11 meeting will be given an opportunity to meet with senior EU, UK and US Government representatives, including Ambassador David A. Gross - U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State-; Mr. Kip Meek - Ofcom Senior Partner -; and a senior representative from the European Commission. Following a Keynote address by David Gross and a senior European government official, the industry participants will break into smaller groups with both U.S. and European representatives to identify and agree upon initiatives within designated broad categories. During lunch there will be an address again by another government official. Following lunch the participants will reconvene in plenary and give their reports. The day will conclude with a facilitated session to confirm agreement and prioritize the suggestions followed by a networking reception. For further information, see the web site or contact Anders Halvorsen at +1 703 284-5333 or ahalvorsen@itaa.org. UK ICT Industry Leading Europe – But Facing Stiff Competition from China According
to the European Information Technology Observatory (EITO) 2005 edition,
launched this week, the ICT market is definitely leaving the crisis of
2001-2003 behind it, with the EU market expected to reach growth of 4.0% in
2005, compared to 3.3% in 2004, and 0.9% in 2003. Due to this significant
increase Europe is even expected to overtake the US.
Intellect Welcomes EU Directive on the Patentability of Computer-implemented Inventions (CII) Intellect on March 7, 2005, welcomed the decision of the European Council to adopt a Common Position on the proposed EU Directive on the Patentability of Computer-implemented Inventions (CII). Intellect's Director General, John Higgins, said, "The Common Position is a carefully balanced solution which takes into account the European Parliament's call for strict limitations to ensure that patentability cannot extend into non-technical areas or unduly hinder interoperability in our increasingly networked society. It will not enlarge the scope of what is currently patentable in Europe, only clarify it. Importantly, patents for pure software and for business, mathematical and other methods are clearly excluded, which is the outcome for which opponents of the directive have also been calling." For further information, see the Intellect press release or - for economic analysis, inventor reports and SME CII case studies - please visit: www.patents4innovation.org
U.S. Private Sector Survey: Much Accomplished on Cyber Security The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) on February 16, 2005, released the results of a survey finding that the private sector is hard at work across a range of important activity areas to harden the nation’s information systems defenses. The survey, released on the second anniversary of the federal government’s National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, indicates that industry groups, research consortia, academic institutions and companies are taking the threat of cyber attacks very seriously and responding accordingly. Released in February 2003, the National Strategy recognized an urgent need for users, operators, and vendors of networked data and communications systems across the government and private sectors to work together to improve the security of the nation’s information infrastructure. For further information see the ITAA press release.
**************************************************************** Anders Halvorsen, Senior Program Manager World Information Technology and Services Alliance, 1401 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1100 Arlington, VA 22209; (Tel) +1 703-284-5333; (Fax) +1 703 525-2279 ahalvorsen@itaa.org; http://www.witsa.org **************************************************************** The World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) consists of 65 national information industry representative bodies from around the world. Its role is to develop public policy positions on issues of concern to the information industry and present these positions to governments and international organizations. For more information on WITSA and its members, please go to http://www.witsa.org
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GPPC
2005 attendees are the key senior management and decision
makers from governments, international bodies, multinational corporations and
businesses. Attendees will be drawn from a cross section of sectors and from
all regions of the world. GPPC 2005 also provides its sponsors the chance to
participate in a high quality, content-rich event with excellent opportunities
to target their product and services at the policy makers and business leaders
in Asia Pacific.