Dubai, UAE, 23 October, 2012: ICT is an enabler of technology innovation, driving social and economic development, and creating value for individuals and society as a whole, said Ken Hu, Rotating CEO and Deputy Chairman of Huawei, speaking at the Forbes Global CEO Conference in Dubai. “Advancements in ICT and the deployment of networks enable greater opportunities for development, access to information and more open communication. As part of Huawei’s commitment to bridge the digital divide - so everyone can afford to enjoy the benefits of communications - we are shifting our focus from ‘a phone for everyone’ to ‘broadband for everyone’, as we believe this will enable users to tap the infinite possibilities that a connected world presents.” 

The annual Forbes Global CEO Conference serves as a platform for some 400 influential CEOs, tycoons, entrepreneurs and thought-leaders to exchange insights and build relationships. Under the theme of ‘The Race Ahead’, this year’s conference examined how we can face critical challenges in the global competition for prosperity. As part of the ‘Fast Track with Technology and Innovation’ panel discussion, Mr. Hu shared his views on how ICT is an enabler of technology innovation in three key areas.

“ICT is the most active driving force for innovation. As we create innovation around a smarter pipe and broadband networks to provide the connectivity for us to do much more; as cloud computing transforms the industry and the way businesses operate; and as smart devices change the way we interact and live, the innovation and value created by ICT will inspire further innovation, driving the ICT industry to the forefront of technology innovation,” said Mr. Hu.

Mr. Hu also discussed how the fast growth of ICT is a catalyst for technological innovation, allowing other industries to become more intelligent. “When ICT enables us to connect industries that have traditionally operated in silos, and to realize true cross-industry collaboration, the opportunities that this brings will be enormous. For example, online education has traditionally been difficult to deploy on a large scale due to poorly integrated technical systems. Today, tablet PCs and apps provide a more convenient and interesting learning experience for people of all ages. In the future, we can ease the imbalance of educational resources through things like e-education networks, where students in rural and urban areas can attend virtual classes together.” 

According to Mr. Hu, the industry must focus on enhancing the user experience and value creation in order to drive social and economic development. “ICT innovation promotes greater convenience in our daily lives and helps enterprises and governments boost efficiency. An even more significant contribution of ICT, however, is how it provides the means and opportunity for equal access to information for people around the world, thereby bridging not just the digital gap, but the knowledge gap as well. By delivering knowledge to local communities, ICT enables social progress and sustainable development.”

Mr. Hu concluded by saying, “We believe that the business foundations that have served our industry well will continue to bring growth. Those foundations, which have proven to be key critical success factors, include: staying true to the customer and the customer experience; delivering greater value-add by realizing cross-industry collaboration; and as a whole, enabling all industries, customers and governments to leverage innovation and technology for the betterment of society.” 

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