New slides highlighting Internet and Tech developments from/impacting on the Middle East

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arabic, Arabic Language, Facebook, Futures, gamification, ICT, ictQATAR, internet, Internet Governance, ipv6, mobile, research, Salamworld, social network, social networking, social networks, taghreedat, Trends, Twitter, wikipedia, youth, YouTube

The below is a cross post from Digital Qatar. You can find, embed and reuse the original slides here. I should be posting semi-regular updates showcasing some key digital developments from Qatar and the Middle East. In both cases, there’s lots going on and plenty to share!

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Introducing Our All New DIGITAL DIGEST

by Damian Radcliffe · June 20, 2012

The Digital Digest harnesses and analyzes the very latest trends and developments impacting Qatar and the MENA region.

The use of the Internet and communication technology is growing rapidly, perhaps more so in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region than anywhere else.

Alongside this, recent political changes in the region have resulted in an on-going global interest in how communication technology is used in the Middle East, as well as contributed to a renewed emphasis on the of the Arabic language in many parts of the region.

Arguably moves to compile an Arabic E-Dictionary, through to initiatives such as  “Let’s Tweet in Arabic”  and Yahoo’s purchase of the Arabic translator start-up Yamli, can all trace their origins back to the events of the past 18 months.

Understanding the legal, social, and political implications of this digital evolution  is of interest to a wide range of different audiences. This includes businesses, social scientists and civil society groups, as well as Governments.

But finding a good repository of editorially neutral information is not always easy. We plan to produce a regular “Digital Digest” – like the one below – to help redress this challenge.

Each “Digital Digest” will share with you some of the key digital developments from across the region, whilst also highlighting global trends which may impact on Qatar and the wider MENA region at a later date.

Please feel free to share these slides, add comments or make suggestions for future editions. Thanks for reading!

Video from ACOD NGA launch

Tags

ACOD, digital exclusion, digital inclusion, exclusion, ICT, inclusion, Ofcom, technology

The video of the recent launch event for ACOD’s report on Next Generation Services for Older and Disabled People is now linked to from the Ofcom website and up on YouTube.

I’ve also embedded it below.

Launch event note: Next Generation Services for Older and Disabled People

Tags

ACOD, digital exclusion, digital inclusion, exclusion, ICT, inclusion, Ofcom, technology

On Monday, over 60 stakeholders and Ofcom colleagues attended the launch of a publication on the benefits super-fast broadband could bring to older and disabled people. The report was commissioned by Ofcom’s Advisory Committee for Older and Disabled People (for whom I act as Policy Manager and Ofcom liaison).

The report stemmed from ACOD’s view that the case for NGA is all too often dominated by provision of entertainment services, for example, faster downloads, HDTV, multi player gaming etc. to the detriment of the wider social case. 

(I have previously written about this subject in an article for Third Sector magazine and also previously on the Ofcom super-fast broadband blog.)

Many committee members were aware of a range of NGA trials and pilots, but we were unable to find an authoritative single source which brought these examples together. The research aimed to redress this, by showcasing the wider benefits of NGA technology – with a particular focus on products and services which would particularly (but not exclusively) benefit older and disabled people. 

Attendees heard first from Ofcom CEO Ed Richards, who outlined the importance of ACOD to Ofcom and the challenge of stimulating interest in NGA amongst a group that often thinks they don’t need broadband, nevermind super-fast broadband! 

Jonathan Freeman, from i2 media who led the research, then talked through the main findings before joining a panel which also included Simon Roberts from Intel, Stephen Dodson from DC10plus and Maurice Mulvenna from ACOD. 

Questions from the audience focussed on the need to turn the ideas and benefits in the report into a reality, as well as a rally call for Government and industry to take the lead (like ACOD a number of stakeholders feel there is a large untapped commercial market here). Attendees also discussed the principle of developing services based on what consumers want, not what the technology can offer/deliver.

Unfortunately the event overran, so there wasn’t as much time for questions as everyone would have liked, but it didn’t stop many of them staying for well over an hour after the event to chat and network.

The report has generated some online coverage; I’ve posted a few selections below. It was also promoted and discussed on twitter. Links to the slides, video of the event

Useful Links

Final Report

Annex A: Extended summary of research report

Annex B: R&D activities

Annex C: Written responses

Presentation Slides

Sample report coverage

• Roger Darlington’s blog
• ISPreview UK
• Blogminster
• Broadband finder
• Computer Active UK
• OUT-LAW

Press Release: Super-fast broadband benefits for Older and Disabled People

Tags

ACOD, digital exclusion, digital inclusion, exclusion, ICT, inclusion, Ofcom, technology

Ofcom’s Advisory Committee for Older and Disabled People has today published research into the benefits that next generation super-fast broadband could bring to older and disabled people.

The research gives examples of a range of services already being piloted or in development. It also explores how existing services could be enriched as a result of faster broadband connections.

Services such as remote health monitoring and consultations, enabling some people to be diagnosed from their home, mentoring and befriending schemes, teleworking and life-long learning initiatives can all play a role in promoting independent living so that older and disabled people can lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

The research also identifies some of the challenges and barriers which might hinder this potential including usability, accessibility and cost.

Jo Connell, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Older and Disabled People, said:

“For many people next generation broadband is already a reality. Our research shows that next generation broadband is about much more than multi-player gaming, faster music downloads or high definition TV.

This report offers a glimpse into the potential services and how this new technology could help to transform many older and disabled people’s lives.”

A copy of the full research can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/how-ofcom-is-run/committees/older-and-disabled-people/research/.

ENDS NOTES FOR EDITORS

• Under Section 21 of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom was required to establish and maintain an Advisory Committee for Older and Disabled People. of the Act requires that “The committee shall consist of – (a) a chairman appointed by Ofcom; and (b) such number of other members appointed by Ofcom as Ofcom think fit”. The function of the Committee “shall be to provide advice to Ofcom (including other committees established by Ofcom) about the interests, in relation to communications matters, of (a) the elderly; and (b) persons with disabilities”.For more information on ACOD visit: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/how-ofcom-is-run/committees/older-and-disabled-people/

  The publication’s findings are based on desk research and in-depth interviews with senior representatives from across a range of industries, government, academia and the third sector. 

• Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.
• For further information about Ofcom please visit: www.ofcom.org.uk. Ofcom’s news releases can be found at: http://media.ofcom.org.uk/.

 

CONTACT

Damian Radcliffe
Advisory Committee for Older and Disabled People
Ofcom
damian.radcliffe@ofcom.org.uk 
0207 981 3590

Amber Vassiliou
Media & Corporate Relations
Ofcom
ofcomnews@ofcom.org.uk
0300 123 4000

Press release originally published here.

Tackling social isolation by getting older people online

Tags

Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, digital exclusion, digital inclusion, exclusion, ICT, inclusion, Independent Age, media literacy, older people, Silver Surfers’ Day, social isolation, technology

Over the past couple of months I’ve been involved with a Steering Group which has explored ideas around using digital technology – and digital inclusion – to tackle issues of loneliness and isolation amongst older people.

Today saw the publication of a report; “Older People, Technology and Community” which includes the fruits of our discussions as well as a whole raft of other useful data, examples and ideas.

The press release notes:

“Social isolation and the feelings of loneliness it leads to are common problems for older people living in the UK today. Recent research reveals that a fear of being alone is a major source of anxiety as people grow older and that some older people go for days without seeing another person. The report highlights however that communications technologies can help prevent and alleviate social isolation and loneliness.”

 The project was led by Independent Age and funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Steering group members were:
Emma Solomon – Digital Unite,
Damian Radcliffe – OFCOM
Adam Oliver – BT
Brian Lamb – RNID
Leela Damodaran – Research School of Informatics, Loughborough University
Guy Giles – Looking Local
Alan Taylor – BBC
Ben Brown- UK Online Centres
Kevin Doughty – Centre for Usable Home Technology, University of York
Paul Cann – Age Concern Oxfordshire
Kevin Johnson – Cisco
Jacques Mizan – Young Foundation
Andrew Barnett – Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch)
Luis Jeronimo – Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (Portugal)
Annabel Knight – Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch)

Everyone played a key role in making the report happen, but I was delighted to see that my contribution was (unexpectedly) cited in the foreword. 

Given that, you’d expect me to say the report is well worth a read. But it is. Honest.

Expert View: Internet – The flexibility of fast broadband

Tags

broadband, digital exclusion, digital inclusion, ICT, inclusion, nga, Ofcom, social inclusion, technology

By Damian Radcliffe, manager for the English regions at Ofcom. Third Sector, 8 October 2008.

Outside my flat there is a large billboard encouraging customers to sign up for “the mother of all broadbands”.

It offers speeds of up to 20 megabits per second and the possibility of 50mbps in the near future – much faster than current connections, which typically operate at about 8mbps. BT recently announced plans to give 10 million homes and businesses speeds of up to 40mbps – five times faster than the current average – and some owners of newly built homes could get up to 100mbps. For the third sector, this presents real opportunities, but also throws up some challenges.

At a time when people are feeling the credit crunch and trying to reduce their carbon footprints, next-generation access could facilitate more home working and improve video conferencing with colleagues. By reducing travel costs, NGA could make flexible working a reality for more people.

I can see the business and consumer benefits of faster broadband connections (for example, multiplayer online gaming and faster downloads for music or TV programmes), but the social applications of this technology remain relatively untried and untested.

A consultation by Ofcom in 2006 recognised this when it said “the majority of the applications and services generally proposed for next-generation access are entertainment services that may result in limited incremental social benefit”. The Broadband Stakeholder Group, a UK industry and government forum that looks at broadband-related strategies, echoed this recently when it said that “so far, there is limited evidence of significant social welfare being derived from next-generation access networks or services”.

I’d like to see charities give some serious thought to how they can use NGA to innovate. It could be used to facilitate remote health monitoring and consultations, mentoring and befriending schemes, home and community security initiatives, life-long learning programmes and much more.

Because of the high investment costs required to build a UK-wide NGA network, roll-out is likely to happen in phases. Charities therefore need to think about how they could use this technology. They also need effectively to state the case for why they need these higher bandwidths, or whether services can be delivered by improving the reliability and consistency of today’s broadband.

If the sector doesn’t do this, there’s a risk that businesses and certain consumer types will be at the front of the queue, with charities lingering near the back. I’m sure the sector doesn’t want to see that happen.