ICT crucial in achieving sustainable development
· Significant potential to improve health, education and income generation possibilities
· Broadband a prerequisite for low carbon economy
Broadband will be key in solving global challenges of our time, such as poverty, climate change and the economic crisis. 2010 marks the tenth anniversary of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). With 5 years to go, the ICT sector is poised to play a key role in fighting poverty and climate change, as well as accelerating economic recovery, stated Hans Vestberg, CEO of Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC).
Co-hosting the Earth Institute's State of the Planet conference in New York, Vestberg highlighted that telecom is unique because it can impact on all of the Millennium Development Goals.
"Mobile communications access is critical in breaking the cycle of poverty in developing countries. The right tools can help people to escape from poverty and achieve the MDGs," he said. It is making a very meaningful difference in people's lives. Today there are 4.6 billion mobile subscriptions and in five years we are set to reach seven billion," said Vestberg.
He also pointed out to be successful in achieving the potential, "scale up is needed" and that this will require commitments from many different sectors and international organizations.
When it comes to the role of telecommunications to accelerate economic recovery, Vestberg reflected on the fact that governments across the globe are increasingly recognizing the importance of infrastructure spending as a way out of the current financial crisis and mobile operators as traditionally large infrastructure investors can play a significant role in supporting these government efforts.
Vestberg concluded that "economic growth and environmental protection do not need to be in conflict. On the contrary, investments in broadband can help to stimulate both and bring a new era in green economy. Broadband will be a pre requisite for a 21st Century low carbon economy, and will enable services such as smart grids, intelligent transports, e-health, all of which have significant contributions to reduce CO2".
This year's global discussion between New York and four additional hubs (Beijing, Nairobi, Dehli, and London) was enabled by Ericsson's TV solutions. In the future, Ericsson's vision is that video communication will be available anytime, anywhere, and that everyone should be able to take part in the global conversation around state of the planet, at a fraction of the cost.
Notes to editors:
Pictures of Hans Vestberg
www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/photos/hans_vestberg.shtml
Live webcast (register to watch)
www.stateoftheplanet.org/content/programme
About State of the Planet conference
Our multimedia content is available at the broadcast room www.ericsson.com/broadcast_room
Ericsson is the world's leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators. Ericsson is the leader in 2G, 3G and 4G mobile technologies, and provides support for networks with over 2 billion subscribers and has the leading position in managed services. The company's portfolio comprises mobile and fixed network infrastructure, telecom services, software, broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and the media industry. The Sony Ericsson and ST-Ericsson joint ventures provide consumers with feature-rich personal mobile devices.
Ericsson is advancing its vision of being the "prime driver in an all-communicating world" through innovation, technology, and sustainable business solutions. Working in 175 countries, more than 80,000 employees generated revenue of SEK 206.5 billion (USD 27.1 billion) in 2009. Founded in 1876 with the headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on OMX NASDAQ, Stockholm and NASDAQ New York.
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