With just 5 weeks to go until our annual entertainment summit, I talked to summit chair Rory Cellan-Jones to discover what he’s looking forward to most at this year’s event and what he thinks the biggest trends will be over the next 12 months. (more…)
Intellect’s 
Board include top executives from some of the world’s leading high tech organisations. These organisations maximise the contributions technology makes to our lives everyday. There were some changes at the recent Intellect main board meeting and AGM, with Victor Chavez of Thales elected as the new deputy president. David Callaghan was re- elected as president for another term.
Guest blogger: Rob Salter, Category Director of Entertainment, Tesco wrote:
What is the one challenge in the marketplace that is currently pulling your focus?
The most immediate issue is the double digit market decline and a weak release slate, combined with a drive for product and service innovation for the long term future. (more…)
Understanding what the obstacles and drivers are to the uptake of technology-enabled payments systems is increasingly important to tailoring these solutions so that they solve specific social and economic challenges – and are not merely the application of technology for technology’s sake. You solve a problem of sufficient magnitude and you increase demand for that solution. This discussion was the central theme of last year’s inaugural Payments Council/Intellect ‘Driving Change in Payments Conference’, which saw over 180 representatives from banks, technology innovators, mobile operators, consumers, retailers, charities, the public sector and others meet in Central London in a conference that was the first of its kind. Now, as we start the lead up to the second conference on the 03 May 2012, interest from attendees has already started to mount – in part because these challenges remain present but, one year down the line, we are starting to see the development of payments solutions that are focused on solving a specific problem or challenge.
Barclays have, in recent years, been regarded by many as one of the most innovative of the retail banks when it comes to pushing through what it sees as demand-led innovative payment services. Think contactless cards which Barclays were the first to roll out in March 2009. However that is now three years ago – a lifetime in the evolution of payments technology. Whilst other organisations such as RBS, Lloyds, and HSBC have now also rolled out contactless cards, one could argue that efforts might now be better spent exploring how to move away from plastic, and how to embrace what many could argue to be its natural successor, the smartphone. (more…)
The idea that UK electronics companies are fighting for higher margins is no longer representing the entire truth (this might still be the case in other areas of UK manufacturing – usually not associated with advanced technology).
Manufacturing of consumer electronics and mass production in general has moved elsewhere, but industry has adjusted and is adapting to a new world where complex electronics and flexible added-value services have become the norm. With low volumes come high margins if technology and quality of services justify the premium price. It’s no chance that Germany is the world’s second biggest exporter of goods after China. Excellence, complexity, flexibility and creativity make products and processes harder to reverse engineer or copy, hence give early adopters enough room to innovate further through R&D investments and keep ahead of the curve. Germany is known for the quality of its engineering base but the UK is known for its world-class services (second only to the US).
Following Intellect’s successful 4G Mobile Broadband conference, I would like to thank our speakers and panellists for their enlightening and provoking presentations and insights during the panel discussions.
Our day was kicked off by John Higgins who introduced John Woodget of Intel, followed by H Nwana of Ofcom and Frank Mather of the European Commission.
John Woodget spoke about the service provider sector - particularly the need for the industry to regain leadership. Intel believes this can be facilitated by a number of measures including; swift release of spectrum, development of longer term strategies, regaining international influence and the promotion of UK industry. (more…)
With one day until Intellect’s 4G Mobile Broadband Conference in London, O2 have begun 4G trials in London.
These trials represent a significant ramping up of 4G development and signify O2′s serious intent to provide the first 4G service in the UK. Trials are usually performed in areas with low populations and medium radio traffic, allowing data to be captured easily without fear of interfernce. Trials within London represent a serious undertaking both technically and financially by O2. Their customers can expect data reception to devices at around 50 MBits per second or less for the duration of the trial – the current average being 1.5 MBits per second. (more…)
This weekend sees the opening of a global gathering of ICT executives, government officials and policy makers, who are meeting to share ideas on how ICT can drive economic growth, create jobs, overcome social exclusion and improve quality of life. (more…)
Those who have been involved with Intellect for a long time know that we are very broad church. We have experience and expertise in many different sectors and policy areas. Members can often find the sheer wealth of content overwhelming. However, I thought it worth mentioning the unique perspective offered by the ICON’s IT Giant’s series as something not to miss out on. (more…)
A group of MPs has announced the formation of a Parliamentary Inquiry into online child protection which will be taking evidence over the next few months from parents, ISPs and child protection expert.
We recognise that the convergence of device manufacturers and content creators is opening up new challenges around online issues and Intellect is therefore considering providing evidence to the inquiry. We have therefore invited member’s to give their views and will be holding a meeting to discuss this issue.