Date:07/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/02/07/stories/2005020701451500.htm

Back The changing factor

Mr Nanik Rupani, President, IMC.

CONVERGENCE is already showing signs of being a key driver of development in telecommunication, media and information technology. Convergence as the change agent can impact at different levels. Three main areas where it is visible are: Technology, industry and service. The Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) has chosen the theme `Communications Convergence: The Change agent' for its third international conference.

Explaining the theme for the conference to be held on February 7-8, Mr Nanik Rupani, President, IMC, said that the conference would focus on convergence as a change agent.

Communication convergence has resulted in new opportunities in several sectors, especially in rural areas. Rural connectivity will be one of the important areas of focus in this year's conference. — Kamal Narang

Communication convergence has resulted in new opportunities in several sectors, especially in rural areas. "Rural connectivity and wireless technology will be one of the important areas of focus," said Mr Rupani. The current status of convergence in industry and business, and the impact of convergence on banking and financial services are some of the issues that will be addressedin the conference, he said.

The first conference in this series was organised by the IMC in December 2002 on the theme `Communications Convergence — A multi-billion dollar Indian opportunity," and the second conference's theme (January 2004) was `Communications Convergence — Bridging the digital divide.' "The earlier IMC conferences played an important role in net telephony," he added.

According to Mr Rupani, technology has been changing at a `jet speed,' and telecom is at the forefront of India's economic growth.

The growth in the telecom front has been phenomenal in the past few years. Convergence results in better technology that in turn reduces the cost of service.

The emergence of BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) has also generated thousands of new jobs.

The conference brings together Government, policymakers, and leaders of industry from India and abroad on a single platform to provide inputs to all stakeholders. "It is important to identify and remove all roadblocks to convergence," said Mr Rupani.

Eminent speakers have been invited from countries such as Singapore, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Dubai and India to address the gathering, which is likely to comprise key players from the telecom, IT, media, financial institutions, banks, consultants and end-users from different business domains.