Forum discussions at the upcoming ITU Telecom World 2014 event in Doha in December will delve deep into the driving forces behind the ongoing radical transformation of the ICT industry.

Hosted by the Government of Qatar, with the support of leading international communications company Ooredoo, the event will explore three major future scenarios and how they will impact businesses and lives.

Disruption: Will the ICT sector suffer further disruption? Or will it be the disrupting force for others such as broadcasting? How might sector convergence take shape? And what other disruptive scenarios lie on the horizon?

Cross-sector partnerships: Opportunities in verticals now involve partnerships across sectors with a whole set of new stakeholders within this environment. What partnership options are available?

The intelligent future: Huge potential is offered through developments such as Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, big data-centric applications and innovative business models. But what regulatory or policy challenges do these pose? What are the best business models? Or enabling tools?

ITU secretary-general Hamadoun I Touré said, “Debates at ITU Telecom World 2014 will boldly tackle both the risks posed to the ICT industry as well as the vast pool of opportunities for its future growth, which span new, cross-vertical partnerships, new technologies, policies and business models.

ITU Telecom World 2014 will take place from December 7 to 10, kicking off with an exclusive one-day leadership summit on the future for leaders from governments, regulatory bodies and across the ICT industry.

Led by renowned futurists and thought leaders including Gerd Leonhard, the summit will feature a highly interactive, powerful programme designed to provide an immersive experience for participants and help unravel some of the complexities of the future, equipping decision-makers with a clear understanding of developments in the sector to guide future policies and strategies.

Taking a variety of formats from panel sessions, keynotes and high-level debates to global media-moderated ‘big conversations’, forum discussions will then explore in detail the three major scenarios outlined above, examining the key trends and developments in technology, regulatory and policy issues, business models, services and applications for each one.

ITU Telecom World 2014 will also feature dynamic industry showcases, demonstrating growth, opportunities, innovative applications and technologies from around the world, with a strong focus on exploring expertise and opportunities within emerging markets. Participants at the event will span public and private sectors, heads of state and government, ministers, policy makers and regulators plus top-level representatives from operators, vendors, service providers, content developers, global media, industry visionaries and leading academics.

ITU Telecom World 2014 will also feature the winners of the ‘Young innovators competition’, gifted young social entrepreneurs with ideas for innovative social enterprises.

Hosted by the Government of Qatar, with the support of leading international communications company Ooredoo, the event will explore major future scenarios and how they will impact businesses and lives