For the first time in two years, the fiber optic industry was once again able to exchange ideas, network and present innovations live at the FTTH Conference in Vienna – and on a grand scale: from 23 to 25 May, over 3,500 international participants flocked to Vienna to find out about the latest news and prospects over three days at the largest fiber optic summit.
aconium was represented several times as a premium partner: With the Governmental Day workshop, with an exhibition stand and as a friend and partner of the Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Transformation. A special highlight for visitors to the aconium stand was the measurement of mobile communications and infrastructures using a fully equipped measurement vehicle. Of course, there was no shortage of interested questions from visitors about the possibilities, including technical details and mobile mapping. In addition to the latest technological innovations in network technology and Europe’s digital transformation, the main topics were the future implementation of fiber optic expansion and the sustainable recruitment of skilled workers. The first day of the event was dominated by the Governmental Day Workshop, led by Peyman Khodabakhsh, Head of Smart Regions at aconium GmbH, and filled with technical contributions from experts from all over Europe. Gerasimos Sofianatos, Deputy Head of Unit B5 “Investments in High Performance Networks”, DG CONNECT (Communication Networks, Content and Technology) of the European Commission, emphasized the importance of infrastructure expansion for the smart communities of tomorrow. Data-driven services and applications are necessary for a well-functioning broadband infrastructure. Viktor Milosevic from the Office of the Styrian Provincial Government provided insights into infrastructure expansion in Austria and Dr.-Ing. Alanus von Radecki, Managing Director of DKSR (Data Competence for Cities and Regions), answered the question: How can data be used to do good for our society? Fergal Mulligan, Program Director in the NBP Department at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, traveled to the Governmental Day workshop from Ireland. He saw the advantages of fiber optics in the energy efficiency and sustainability of the networks for the coming decades. Eglė Misienė, Head of Legal & Corporate Affairs, PE Lithuania, presented best practice projects and trends from Europe on the promotion and development of fiber optic networks, digital resilience and increasing the acceptance of digital services. The Managing Director of Seine-et-Yvelines Digital, Laurent Rochette, drew a conclusion at the event: the progress of digitalization can have a sustainable impact on road traffic management, e-mobility or public safety, for example. A particular highlight of the event was the presentation by Andrii Nabok, head of the “Stationary Broadband” department at the Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Transformation. Andrii Nabok gave a review and outlook of the network infrastructure in Ukraine. He impressively explained the importance of a good and stable telecommunications infrastructure and how specialists are working hard to maintain communication. As a partner, aconium has been working with Ukraine and the EU4DigitalUA project for several years on a nationwide broadband information system for the Ukrainian infrastructure expansion. The event “Managing the talent pipeline in fiber” also deals with talent in the broadband industry, here with regard to equal rights and gender diversity.
Success stories and examples of best practice, followed by a panel on equality, collaboration and inclusion, showed that the most heterogeneous, gender-diverse workforce possible brings a balance to a company that is conducive to the dynamic growth of employees and therefore also to the growth of the company. One question that was then asked at the round tables: How do you motivate women to join the technology industry? As is so often the case, the challenge here is to get to the root of the problem, i.e. to start with education and encourage young women to bring even more diversity to the future of the technology industry. The future is digital, the future is smart and above all: networked. A functioning network infrastructure is essential for all of this. The broadband industry plays a major, important role here – for a digital, sustainable and liveable future. aconium would like to thank all participants and says: “See you next year – see you in Barcelona.”
