CONVERGENCE AND COMPETITION: THE NEW REALITY 2011

Over the past year many big shifts have taken place in the telecommunications and broadcast sectors. The mergers of Shaw with CanWest, and Bell with CTV have dramatically changed the landscape. Convergence is now a reality; and the word telecommunications is in danger of becoming redundant and being replaced with the simpler communications . Competition in this sector was also ratcheted up several notches with the introduction of the iPhone4, the iPad and other tablets, the Blackberry Torch and Android phones, underscoring the intensity of the battle between players in the mobile arena as attention increasing shifts to those devices as a key part of the future industry. In 2011, for the first time in decades, PCs will represent less than 50% of the computing devices purchased globally.

As the tectonic shift continues towards an internet-based delivery system using ever-increasing amounts of broadband, nations are finding that keeping up with demand by building out the necessary infrastructure to serve their populations represents a formidable challenge. Canada is not alone in this, but is at risk of falling behind those nations that already have digital strategies in place and are acting on them.

Being next door to the U.S. has historically put Canada in a more challenging situation than that faced by other countries in maintaining our home grown cultural and entertainment enterprises; and the move toward internet delivery puts this entire sector and the jobs it represents at risk. A workable approach will need to be found, but it won t be easy. How we respond to these challenges over the next few years will be critical in determining what direction this industry takes and even if it remains predominantly Canadian. There are myriad issues still evolving that need to be addressed and which have a direct impact on both of these sectors as they continue to converge. This conference, produced by Insight Information is a unique opportunity to take part in interactive discussions concerning the future of Canadian technology, communications, culture and entertainment. It s one we re sure you won t want to miss.