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FITCE Event Reports
The jury, Pol Vanbiervliet (CISCO), Stijn Van Der Plaetse (Belgacom) and Herman Hendrickx (VRT) selected Paschalis Tsiaflakis for its highly innovative, well presented idea with lots of business potential. Mr. Tsiaflakis realized that energy efficiency should also be considered as an essential design objective for future broadband access technologies.
The ICT industry accounts for approximately 2 percent of global CO2 emissions, a figure equivalent to aviation. In his exposé, Paschalis Tsiaflakis highlighted Digital subscriber line (DSL) technology as an important for the following decades enabling data rates up to 52 Mbps. The performance of DSL technology is boosted by the application of Dynamic Spectrum Management (DSM), which refers to a set of powerful techniques that can further improve the data rates up to 200-400 Mbps. The presented Green DSL technology extends the traditional data rate maximization approach towards a more general energy-efficient approach. Green DSL simulation results have shown that for certain VDSL2 scenarios transmit energy savings of up to 50% can be achieved with only 5% degradation in data rate performance.
The proposed Green DSL technology is the result of an international research collaboration between Dr. Paschalis Tsiaflakis and Prof. Marc Moonen from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Prof. Mung Chiang from Princeton University, NJ, USA, and Prof. Yung Yi from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), South Korea.
Runners up for the title were Olivier Rits (Alcatel-Lucent) with the topic 'It’s all about the WWW, stupid!' and Laure Emmanuelle Nonnenmacher (Belgacom) with the topic ‘Challenge of the Content & the In-Between’.
As an expert ICT organization at the heart of Europe FITCE.be (Belgian Federation of Telecom Engineers of the EU) promotes the development of and know-how in R&D, technology and trends in the Belgian and pan-European ICT market.
The goal of the biyearly “FITCE.be Young ICT Personality” contest is to allow young professionals to share their ideas and views on a specific ICT topic with a larger audience of professionals and leaders from the ICT industry. The theme of this year’s contest was “Internet: past and future”.
Tuesday 16th of March 2010, hosted by IBBT (Interdisciplinary Institute for Broadband Technology) in Ghent.
Organised by FITCE Belgium.
This FITCE.be symposium should give an answer to the question of how ICT can contribute to smarter mobility. New challenges are imposed by the ever growing traffic density, as well as the need for more flexible and economic traffic solutions. Intelligent Transport Systems should result into safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly mobility. Telematics offer an opportunity for new promising information services.
Report by Prof. Chris Blondia, University of Antwerp (chris.blondia@ua.ac.be)
During this event, different views on what ICT related challenges the introduction of the connected car leads to were presented: from the car industry, a mobile operator, a traffic information service provider, the government, etc. More than 50 attendees participated to this e-car event, and many of them were actively taking part in the lively discussions.
Chris Blondia, professor at the University of Antwerp and leader of an IBBT research group, gave a short introduction to this event. He presented the different themes related to how ICT may contribute to smarter mobility: how technologies and information systems may improve the ability of drivers to better respond to hazards on the road and increase the mobility and what are the roles of the stakeholders, the authorities and new partnerships.
Paul Kompfner, head of Sector Cooperative Mobility at ERTICO-ITS Europe (Brussels) is the project coordinator of FP7 EU Integrated Project CVIS (Cooperative Vehicle-Infrastructure Systems). He presented an overview of the CVIS architecture. Crucial in this architecture is the horizontal view: contrary to a vertical view, where each application has its own “box”, CVIS proposes a platform open for all kinds of applications. A key message of Paul Kompfner’s presentation was that in order to make the car really connected, new partnerships between the ITS stakeholders are required.
Marnix Lannoije, R&D Manager at Flanders’ Drive, presented a new view on the automotive industry with respect to the future of e-car. In the discussion whether intelligence should be put into the car or into the infrastructure, Marnix Lannoije defended the idea to make the infrastructure more intelligent and consider the car as a smart actuator, leading to lower costs of the vehicles.
Gert Pauwels, M2M Marketing Manager Mobistar and Orange Business Services presented the operator’s role in ITS. In addition to the desk ICT and home ICT, the emerging new car ICT creates new challenges for the telco operators. Indeed, mobile networks are not planned for the communication needs of the connected car.
Gerardo Daalderop, Program Director Telematics Projects NXP presented a road pricing trial, using the ATOP platform, an NXP OBU based on GPS and GPRS, in South-Brabant (The Netherlands). This trial showed that 2/3 of the drivers improve their behavior when rewarded, but when the reward was dropped they went back to their old habits. A key question addressed is the trade-off between what the driver is prepared to pay to use a road segment and the time lost by following a cheaper route. It was also discussed how this platform can be used to deliver additional Value Added Services.
Steven Logghe, Chief Traffic Be-Mobile/Touring Mobilis, presented the view of a traffic information service provider. The Be-Mobile system allows to create a traffic picture in an area using floating car data based on GPS and GPRS information. The use of this traffic information may lead to a reduction of congestion by 10%.
Sven Geerts is director of the Flemish Traffic Center, a public organization that aims to improve traffic safety and travel reliability by providing (multimodal) traffic information. In his presentation he described the dynamic traffic management system used on the Flemish highway network.
In the last presentation, Filip Boelaert, Chief of Cabinet of Minister Crevits, Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works, presented the vision of the Flemish Government, He showed the involvement of the government in a number of key Flemish, Belgian and European initiatives related to smart mobility.
An important workshop organized by Italian-Greek FITCE Section took place in Rome (Italy) on 13th November 2009, with the slogan “Life is beautiful..: how ICT can improve it ?” Main ICT professionals had the opportunity to discuss about new digital technologies and relative influence on our life.
Mr. Andrea Penza – FITCE President, AICT Member
Mr. Alessandro Vizzarri – AICT Secretary
The event was opened by FITCE President Mr. Andrea Penza (Ericsson, AICT Member), AICT President Mr. Michele Morganti (Polytechnic of Milan Foundation, Italy) (“in this important european event we are very glad for involvement of AICT, Italian Association of ICT Professionals and FITCE Italian Section”) and by Konstantinos Sidiropoulos (President of FITCE Greek Section) (“I’m sure the collaboration of Italian and Greek FITCE Sections will be very profitable for all European ICT Professionals”).
The key-note speech “Technical scenarios to support quality of life” was held by Mr. Roberto Saracco (Telecom Italia, AICT Vice President). Remembering how “in our homes a great number of ICT devices is present”, Mr. Saracco analyzed market trend of new digital technologies for the next decade. “From 2012 new handheld devices integrated with Wi-Fi receiver and 2 TB memories will be available. Every digital object will be connected to network through more presence and immersion effects given by screens of next generation. We will notice a substantial growth of digital sensors (in biometrics,…) and PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) using very high network connections, together with new security & safety approaches, information tagging techniques and open platforms for very advanced applications like image immersion, reactive objetcs and on line check-up.” “In 2019 – Mr. Saracco ended – our houses will be much more digitalized: we’ll know which kind of wine is available in our refrigerator or the exact position of favourite book in our library using advanced mobile terminals.“
Mr. Maurizio Mayer (AICT Vice President) introduced the first session “Cultural Heritage improvement and preservation: Italy and Greece compared” considering that “Cultural Heritage is certainly one of most common themes for Italian and Greek countries.”
The speech “Italy 2.0: how to live a new Italian experience” held by Mr. Fabio Carati (Telecom Italia Future Centre) was focused on a business ecosystem approach for an agritourism. “After a deep analysis of a great number of informations coming from different contexts (tourism, fashion, gastronomy,..), we were able to manage them through the Telecom Italia Integrated Platform: so we made easier the contact between tourists looking for an agritourism and directors of farms.” Remembering “the aim of the project was to promote our made in Italy in a global market”, Mr. Carati underlined benefits of this approach: “new markets at low cost, innovative applications, collaboration of different companies. Then considering the opportunity to share several informations through different convergent platforms (mobile devices, net blogs or social networks like Twitter), using Telecom Italia Integrated Platform we can improve all communications in our community.”
After introducing company activities and the virtual world platform1, Mr. Fabio Pasquazi (Nergal Consulting) in “Cultural Heritage improvement and virtual reality” speaked about ICC Project (Italian Institute of Culture). “In the 2007 Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs committed to Panebarco Company and us the Virtual ICC management. The aim of group was to advertise our made in Italy and Italian cultural heritage using a virtual infrastructure (with 3D images, video and virtual tours).” For Mr. Pasquazi “the virtual museum is crucial: infact this can help us when it is not possible to set up a real musem because of little dimensions or unavailable staff.”
Roko Žarniæ (University of Ljubljana) in “European cultural heritage - Identity Card: a challenge for Greece and Italy compared in the European framework” explained an european project called EU-CHIC (Cultural Heritage Identity Card) which fixed “criteria and methods to collect and storage informations of all european artworks.” For Mr. Žarniæ “infra red thermograph technique used for material status analysis (like Byzantine Museum case) and its integration with GIS systems (like case of Rodi City) are positive effects of ICT applications in cultural heritage field, but we still have to define documentation protocols and procedures about information decision making.”
The second session “ICT at the Citizen service” was opened by Chairman Mr. Carmelo Basso (Italian Ministry of Economic Development): “By now we can notice how ICT is present in our life: security & safety, healthcare, law, education,...” “So ICT is also fundamental for Public Administration: infact the italian government action plan (called e-gov 2012) defines projects of digital innovation to decrease costs of public authorities (25 % expected by 2012).”
Mr. Agostino Ragosa (Poste Italiane) in “An innovative firm case to the Country System service Un caso di azienda innovativa al servizio del Sistema Paese” introduced Company profile and main assets: Phisical Network, Logistic network and Multi Channel Access Network. “This structure – for Ragosa – enables links between 11.000 postal offices using IP Broadband Network (Best Class), 5 Data Centers with storage memories of 1.000 TB and Data-warehouses systems serving 31 million of customers.” Poste Italiane Company is also involved in e-gov 2012 action plan: infact there are postal and financial operators dedicated to special services, like Digital Mailbox, Digital Sign e PEC (Certified E-Mail), passports, e-commerce, Home Banking & Postepay. “In this context – Mr. Gerosa continued – PosteGov Platform is very important, since it allows a multichannel access to traditional and new postal services, all integrated in Poste Italiane Valued Added Services (VAS). In this way the relationship between citizens and public institutions is more efficient.” Moreover, using PosteGov Platform we can delivery 800.000 Carte Acquisti2, implement ELI Project (Immigrants Work Management)3 and create Digital MailBox4.”
Mrs. Rita Bizzoni (Acea) in “Technology and knowledge to the customer service” Focused on importance of an efficient Customer Care in a company like ACEA, with 13 Millions of customers for hydric services and 1,5 Million for energetic ones. “For this reason – Mrs. Bizzoni specified – the contact with our clients is crucial: Customer Care System manages around 2 Millions of calls and 1 Million of trouble tickets. Moreover, visitors of our web site are around 1,6 millions. Then we have to improve reengineering processes, investments in staff trainings and new Hi-Tech instruments able to support our work load.”
The speech “ICT in Society: adoption and diffusion” held by Diamantis Kotoulas (OTE SA) analyzed the slow diffusion of ICT in Europe: “Introduction of these ICT solutions brings not only benefits to companies, government, society, global economy, but also real investment costs (still too much high), lack of infrastructures and difficult reengineering processes.” “Until now – Mr. Kotoulas continued – we haven’ t noticed a concrete collaboration between governments, private companies and citizens. We should use a methodology with a long term vision (think big), short term priority (start small) and efficient implementation (scale fast).” After suggesting models for ICT diffusion and adoption, Mr. Kotoulas was sure that “in any case ICT remains one of the instruments able to speeding up development”.
For Mrs. Clara Pelaez (Ericsson) in “The new city: innovation for citizens” ICT is also relevant for projects of CO2 emissions reduction. “Infact by 2050 it will be necessary to reduce carbon goblal emissions by 50-80% in all productive sectors (agriculture, energy, industry, buildings,). Only ICT contribution is around 15-20%.” About “Smart Society – Smart City”, for Mrs. Pelaez “by now every part of our modern city is connected to a network, allowing access to several digital services. For this reason ICT remains a factor key for a better life and a best citizenship.”
The Major and Vice Major of City of Veria (Greece) explained Hi-Tech National Projects defined by Greek Government and adopted by Municipality of Veria. “First of all – for Vice Major of Veria - Society of Information 2000-2006 action plan is focused on metropolitan network (MAN) in optical fiber, GIS systems, telematic systems for infomobility and platform for diffusion of digital contents. The second one called Digital Convergence 2007-2013 action plan, actually in progress, is related to systems for fire prevention, web TV, management and digitalization of cultural heritage contents, building web monitoring, integrated access to information, GIS applications and management of public contract. “Broadband Digital Park” and “systems for air monitoring in public buildings” action plans are going to be defined.”
The third session “Broadband and Ultrabroadband deployment: how the financial support can be ensured in Europe?” was opened by Chairman Prof. Francesco Vatalaro (University of Tor Vergata, Rome, and AGCOM - NGN Italia Group). For him “it’s very necessary to decide about the future of broadband networks in Italy and in Europe through a deep analysis of all technologic, economic and regulatory factors.”
Mr. George Georgiadis (OTE SA) in “Possible scenarios for broadband NGA systems” explained the approach chosen by Greek Ministry of Communications: “Greek Government decided to develop an optical fiber network with open access and technologic neutrality, able to reach 2 millions of buildings in Athens, Thessalonik and other 52 cities.” “Analyzing recent statistics – for Georgiadis - in the last four years we have noticed a great increase of request for broadband systems, although ADSL remains the only fixed network technology. For this reason it’s necessary to develop FTTH solutions (Fiber to the Home) with open access and connection speed greater than 100 Mbps. A neutral entity, called EFODIA (National Optical Fiber Infrastructure): the main activity is to manage new TLC network without offering digital services to end users.”
“In Italy the TLC situation is quite different” – said Mr. Romano Righetti (Wind). Infact in “Possible scenarios for broadband NGA systems” he specified that “in our Country we still must solve the question of unique, open and neutral TLC network, since every carrier deployed other broadband systems (wireless, xDSL,..) to offer their digital services. Since this happens for all carriers, the situation is very heterogeneous and complicated.” “For this reason – Mr. Righetti ends - NGN Group, formed by AGCOM (Italian Agency for Communications Regolamentation) and all players of ICT, has a strategic role to find the best solution.”
For Mr. Kiriakos Vergos (Codium Networks SL) in “A wireless perspective: is there a strong enough case for the deployment of 4G networks in Europe to thus generate the very necessary financial support?” “the mobile broadband is a valid solution for a single network infrastructure: this is proved by 3 success case studies5”. Vergos underlined “there are three key factors to enable development of mobile broadband: great increase of mobile data traffic, overload of 3G network capacity and investment costs not very high (in 4G the Capex investment is only 20% of the total, excluding license acquisition costs). Since demand of 4G devices is already there and supply too, it’s necessary European Union defines financial support and strategic plans, first of all accelerating the process of distribution of the Digital Dividend and concluding the 2.6 GHz allocation program.”
After explaining the RSPG 20106 activities, Mr. Roberto Viola (AGCOM, Italian Agency for Communications Regulamentation) in “How to regulate new TLC Networks between competition and innovation” outlined the actual situation of television technologies. “In our homes we can watch TV using many platforms: Internet TV (set-top-box integrated with internet access, contents recording and web computing), mobile TV (Mobile IPTV, on line virtual reality, social networking) and IP contents (banners and short clips). Regulamentation Agencies have to guarantee not only an open access but also competition rules.” For Mr. Viola “the regulatory enablers factors are related to three areas: net neutrality and content access, access to smartphones API and DRM systems (Digital Right Management).” About next future, for Mr Viola: “it will be based on marriage between traditional TV and Internet, increase of set-top-boxes and PDAs. With an approach focused on policy and regulatory, we can enter in a new convergent world described by this slogan: think convergent-rule convergent.”
The chairman of final round table Mr. Gildo Campesato (Director of “Corriere delle Comunicazioni”) asked to partecipants “which is the future of ICT in Greece and Italy.”
For George Agapiou (OTE Research) “by 2010 Greece should complete deployment of FTTC solutions (Fiber To The Cabinet) and by 2012 FTTH systems (Fiber To The Home). But the main issue is related to regulatory models linked to Hi-Tech evolution.“
“The situation of ICT in Italy – for Mr. Alessandro Alessandroni (Order of Engineers, Rome) – presents positive elements. Infact development of new technologies in our country has been improved by collaboration with Orders of Engineers and public institutions: in this way different professional experiences had the opportunity to match and to choose the best strategies. A real example is Digital Rome Project: based on private investments of 300 millions of euro for three years and more than 600 millions of euro in next years, the main purpose of the project is to create a real convergent ICT networks through the best fixed-mobile broadband technologies.”
FITCE President Mr. Andrea Penza closed the event, saying “very important ICT contents and strategies have been explained. Thanks to all partecipants and I’ll see you again in next FITCE iniziatives.”
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