A vision for the future

The potential applications for next generation broadband are extensive and continuously evolving. The examples below are based on applications where next generation broadband can bring transformative change. Barcelona and Dubai are actual successful implementations.

Monitoring your home and health

Technology based around security cameras in shopping centres and streets are familiar applications. This technology enables people to check remotely on the security of their homes and dependants. Parents when at work wanting to check on their children
can see what is happening on a hand-held video device. Carers can programme in the usual activity of elderly relations using appliances in their home, such as a kettle, so that if events fail to occur by a certain time an alarm will be triggered. People can also monitor their health; for example, diabetics are able to have their readings sent back to a central database so that their doctor can detect and diagnose any abnormalities.

21st century UK healthcare using communications technologies

Early in 2003, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer committed significant additional funding to the National Health Service. The Chancellor also commissioned a report on how the new funding might most effectively be spent. The report suggested that there is considerable value in investing in support for self-care, and that by 2020 visits to family doctors could decrease by 40% and visits to hospital outpatient departments by 17% due to increased selfcare, both for everyday health problems and chronic illnesses. For every £100 spent on encouraging self-care, about £150 of benefit could be delivered in return. Communications technologies are at the heart of this revolution.

The digital school of tomorrow

Using multimedia, all pupils will have the same access to resources wherever they live and whatever their socio-economic situation. Every school will have a web portal where the pupils, teachers and teaching staff will have the opportunity to meet and share information. This virtual space will include personalised sections that will be perfectly secure. The school will have video-conference facilities that will allow communication between schools, pupils and teachers and provide a bridge to the wider world.

Teaching will be delivered in an exciting multimedia manner through lesson plans illustrated with written and audiovisual material. Supported by a broadband infrastructure, which will cover the whole school, downloading of documents will be as simple as a click and will of course take only a matter of seconds. Pupils will be used to dealing with a rich content that they will exploit with ease. The digital school will be integrated into its local and international environment and open to the world, its history, geography, cultures and people.

Barcelona - Connected Cities
Several years ago, Barcelona developed its broadband network around a portal that reflected the way people live their lives and the problems they have. Public servants now work in a great virtual contact centre where enquiries can be routed to the appropriate destination. It is what the Government of Canada called ‘No Wrong Door’. Once information is networked, citizens see it is transparent and
become ready to engage with authority, which they now see as offering them an improved and more
bespoke service.

Dubai - Internet City
Within a short span of time following major investment in communications infrastructure, a dynamic international community of ICT companies has established itself in Dubai Internet City (DIC). These companies represent a community of over 10,000 knowledge workers. The cluster of ICT companies in Dubai Internet City comprise software development, business services, web based and e-commerce, consultancy, education and training, sales and marketing, and back-office operations.
DIC provides a scalable state-of-the-art technology platform that allows companies looking to provide
cost-effective Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services, such as call centre operations, and easy access to these services.

References – All the above illustrations are taken from the Cisco ‘Thought Leaders’ series of books of essays by urban innovators, edited by Simon Willis. www.cisco.com