What should be the role for telecommunications policy? What should top Canada’s telecommunications policy agenda?
Those topics are being explored in a workshop hosted by the Ivey Business School in Toronto. “Innovation and Telecommunications Policy: Shaping Tech, Markets & Networks”, Ivey’s fourth workshop on telecommunications policy, will take place in the afternoon of Wednesday, May 21, at Ivey’s Donald K. Johnson Centre in downtown Toronto.
As noted on the workshop’s website, telecommunications policy traditionally focuses on competition, affordability, digital divide and access. Far less attention has been spent on how telecom policy can be used to develop innovation and new technologies for economic growth.
It is crucial for Canada to be developing policies and strategies that support investment in digital infrastructure. Innovation and economic progress is crucial for Canada (and other countries) in the wake of global trade disruption and geopolitical challenges.
Frequent readers know that I have been calling for a refresh of Canada’s digital agenda for a long time. Late last year, when I was checking my scorecard against my 2024 policy agenda, I noticed that there was some overlap with what is planned for the workshop. I continue to have concerns about driving increased adoption. Not enough work is being done to identify (and solve) those factors that inhibit a subset of Canadians from getting online.
The half-day workshop will be held in downtown Toronto, starting with lunch at noon and running until approximately 6:00pm. Lunch will be provided and there will be a networking reception at the end of the day. In between there will be multiple keynote speakers and panel sessions looking at such questions as:
- Will 6G be another “G” or just fizzle out?
- How are AI and quantum communications shaping infrastructure needs?
- How are big tech, application providers and telecom operators driving innovation?
- Innovation, affordability and digital divide: are there trade-offs?
- And more!
While we are one the topic of technology policy, there was a recent session hosted by AEI on the subject, “Dignity and Dynamism: The Future of Conservative Technology Policy”. You can find the replay here.
I’ll provide more details about the Ivey session as the agenda [download pdf] firms up. The last Ivey workshop was sold out, so be sure to make your plans to attend. I hope to see you May 21.