Broadband Evolution and FP6 Mechanisms: Some TelCo thoughts

1
Broadband Evolution and FP6 MechanismsSome
TelCo thoughts

• David Kennedy
• kennedy_at_eurescom.de

2
How to get to the Future ?
3
The Draft Workprogramme

• Very high level - open to interpretation
• Some issues missing e.g. Social Studies
• Many cross area issues
• e.g. Personalised services are related to
• Broadband Access,
• Multimodal Interfaces
• Networked audio-visual systems and home Platforms
• and that is just in the first call
• Need for virtual teams in the Commission

4
Evolution of the IP concept

• 100 M Euro, Tens of M Euro, 30 M Euro?
• Strategic initiatives are being forced to split
  into smaller projects
• An IP must be a reasonable size if it is to
  mobilise the industry
• An IP must have a significant number of industry
  players working effectively

5
and what about rejection?

• There could be too many IP proposals
• The cost of each IP proposal is very high
• The partner mix is very industry representative
• Unsuccessful proposals could damage the industry
  interest in research
• Who will judge the proposals ?

6
Networks of Excellence

• Excellent training / competence development
  structure
• Could be a good mechanism for distributing TelCo
  experience
• Could be a great way to integrate the National
  Interests and Associated States
• Maybe each IP should have an NoE to give a
  greater academic dimension
• Dont be too elitist - there is a lot of basic
  competence that needs to be distributed -
  industrial as well as academic

7
Targeted Research Projects

• Needed to compliment IP approach
• In many cases they could provide the roadmaps for
  several IP
• Necessary for niche subjects
• Necessary for smaller industry sectors
• Small projects focused on single result
• Should not be used to avoid contracting
  Integrated Projects

8
The TelCo Position - the good...

• Collective Approach to Standards Development
• Investment in new devices with better user
  interfaces and attractive features
• Co-operation between major players in the
  industry
• Strong Brands
• Pan-European and/or global operators with
  consistency of approach and services
• Research, Development and Manufacturing Base
• Common competitive framework provided by EC
  across its member states

Source WWRF WP1 Draft Final report
9
The TelCo Position - the bad...

• Indebtedness
• Stock Market losses
• Regulatory Barriers
• Focus on technology in marketing new services
• Closed Application Platforms limiting variety of
  end user applications
• Uncertainties over next generation technologies

Source WWRF WP1 Draft Final report
10
The Industry Position - Ugly !

• Major Job Losses in TelCos
• Major Job Losses in Manufacturers
• Many TelCos nearly bankrupt
• Many Suppliers dismantling production facilities
• Banks will not give loans to the industry
• Shareholders have lost lots of money
• but were all still making phone calls !!!!

11
Why are TelCos excited by FP6?

• RD has been postponed too long
• Through participation they can
• help the growth of the telecommunications market
  
• find economical strategies for network evolution
• promote service evolution to keep pace with
  network evolution
• benefit from early exploitation of results
• The Industry needs a kick-start

12

• Kick-Start conundrum
• Pervasive infrastructure enables mass market
  services
• Mass market services justify pervasive
  infrastructure

13
Where are the killer applications?

• All around you
• Examine todays business processes and see which
  ones could be done better, i.e. more efficiently,
  in a connected world
• Remember Amazon is just a bookshop
• And E-bay is just an auction house
• But they are convenient (and fun !!!!)
• Dont start looking with the idea it has to be
  new - build a better mouse trap !!

14
The Invasion of smart devices
15
The Next Generation Users
16
Conclusions

• Broadband will happen !!!
• New competing technologies will come
• Learn them! - Adopt them - Those who do will
  stay in the forefront
• TelCos will be present in several places in the
  value chain
• TelCos will run many partnership-programmes (and
  invest venture capital)
• Licence deals to make money on a competitors
  success will be common

17
Think big!
Think Europe!
Think FP6!
The TelCos will be there!