DOHA: The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani said technological development contributes to building a knowledge-based society through its contribution to empowering the economy.
This came as he inaugurated the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2014 at Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday.
Experts and innovators from 165 countries have gathered at Qatar National Convention Centre to discuss trends, developments and innovations in the field of information and communication technology.
The Premier said Qatar’s hosting of the conference on international telecommunications reflects the attention the leadership and the government accord to telecommunications and technologies.
Qatar enjoys an ideal status to host the conference and assist in enriching discussions on telecommunications issues, he said, adding the event provides an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and discussions on new opportunities that could contribute to changing and helping the world.
“We are witnessing a second digital revolution and a time of industry transformation in information and communications technology.
“Cloud computing, the Internet of things, hyper connectivity and big data analytics — technologies we could not have imagined a few years ago — are shaping the ICT landscape,” said the Minister of Information and Communications Technology H E Dr Hessa Sultan Al Jaber.
“Opportunities of the new digital age are infinite, but they also bring about challenges. With the emergence of the smart city concept, we are witnessing the start of an interconnected ecosystem. ICT is converging with other sectors such as logistics, transportation, health, banking, education, finance and media,” she said.
She said the telecom sector needs to re-evaluate operating models and refine offerings in the digital world.
Regulators must work on introducing laws that are more responsive to technological advances to encourage operators to invest in networks.
“Governments must set the regulatory framework to protect consumer privacy while allowing businesses to grow.
“In the coming years, we will focus on implementing strategic and pivotal programmes that would contribute to diversifying the economy and further support other sectors witnessing a rapid growth in the light of our preparations for hosting important events that will leave their mark on the country’s economic growth,” she said.
“Only about 40 percent of the world population today has access to the Internet.
“This leaves a huge number of people, of whom over 90 percent live in developing countries, unable to access life-enriching benefits of the online world.
“Globally, there are over 200 million fewer women online than men. That is not good enough.
“Together, let us help remove some barriers that prevent people from getting online and enjoying benefits it brings,” said Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman, Ooredoo Group.
“We have made great strides. Qatar has the second highest level of household broadband penetration of any developing country after Korea — 94.6 percent.
“We are 17th in the world in the number of people per capita using the Internet.
“We have nationwide 4G LTE coverage; 185 percent mobile penetration; and high-speed fibre connecting more than 85 percent of the homes in Qatar,” he said.
“But this is just the beginning. Our aim is to become the best-connected country in the world,” the chairman added.
“Qatar is on its way to becoming a smart nation – showing what is possible when mobile technology is incorporated into every aspect of national development.
“We are uniquely placed to be a hub to connect and share benefits of new breakthroughs between East and West, the developing world and developed countries,” he said.
The Peninsula
