Seminars
1. Why does convergence matter? | 2. Competition and innovation: content and services | 3. Competition and innovation: networks | 4. Universal access to high quality, public service content
Throughout the Convergence Think Tank (CTT) programme there will be a series of seminars to bring together key industry decision makers to discuss and debate specific questions, based on the CTT’s three key topics:
- securing open markets, competition and plurality;
- empowering and protecting both users and consumers; ensuring that they can take full advantage of the opportunities convergence may bring;
- and securing universal access to high quality, public service content.
The proceedings will be made public. In advance of each seminar, the CTT will call for written views from invitees about the up-coming seminar topic areas to help inform the discussions. All papers will be publicly available on this website.
For information about these seminars please contact convergence@culture.gsi.gov.uk
Seminar 1: Why does convergence matter?
Thursday 7 February 2008
8:30am -12:30pm
Venue: Emirates Stadium, Highbury, London
This set the scene for the CTT programme and helped to establish the key challenges and goals.
Questions included:
- What do we mean by convergence?
- Why is it important for (a) consumers (b) citizens, (c) the economy as a whole?
- How does the UK compare internationally?
- What are the key challenges and opportunities convergence presents for the future?
- What are the key policy implications which the Convergence Think Tank needs to address?
Proceedings
Secretary of State's opening address and panel discussions PDF (186kb) 
Robin Foster introduction RTF (42kb) - Presentation by Ed Richards, Chief Executive, Ofcom RTF (31kb)
- Breakout sessions summary RTF (37kb)
Submissions:
Seminar 2: Competition and innovation: content and services
Tuesday 18 March 2008
9:00am -12:30pm
Venue: BERR Conference Centre, 1 Victoria Street, London
This seminar will focus on how far we can rely on convergence to create open markets and break down barriers, and to what extent might intervention be needed to address competition challenges and/or enable a thriving creative economy.
Questions included:
- What are the future opportunities and challenges for UK providers and producers?
- Is there a case for action to ensure effective access to key networks and/or access to content for a) consumers, b) service providers?
- What are the potential barriers to, and opportunities for, competition, growth, and innovation in content supply?
- What are the implications for future public policy?
Proceedings
- Agenda for Second CTT Seminar PDF (45kb)
- Proceedings of Second CTT Seminar PDF (208kb)
Submissions
Seminar 3: Competition and innovation: networks
Tuesday 22 April 2008
10:00am- 1:30pm
Venue: BERR Conference Centre, 1 Victoria Street, London
This seminar focused on the UK’s communications infrastructure and what might be learned from the experiences of other countries.
It considered the extent to which intervention might be needed to address future infrastructure needs and competition challenges, and enable a thriving economy.
Questions included:
- Do the UK communication platforms need to evolve if the potential of convergence is to be fully realised? And if so, how?
- What are the potential barriers to and opportunities for competition, growth and innovation?
- What lessons can be learnt from international comparisons?
- What are the implications for future regulatory policy? Are there particular regulatory obstacles to a thriving economy in a converged world?
Proceedings
- Agenda for third CTT Seminar PDF (27kb)
- Proceedings of Third CTT Seminar PDF (235kb)
- Presentation by Houston Stewart, Alcatel Lucent PDF (118kb)
- Presentation by Pierre Antoine Badoz, FT/Orange PDF (250kb)
Submissions:
Seminar 4 – Universal Access to High Quality, Public Service Content (PSC) in a Converged Environment
Wednesday 11 June 2008
9.00am - 1.00pm
Venue: Lewis Media Centre, Ground Floor, Millbank Tower, London SW1 4RS.
This seminar focused on universal access to high quality PSC in a converged world.
Questions included:
- What changes do you expect in audience needs and demand for PSC over the next 10 years and what do you think are the implications of those changes for the scale, scope and form of PSC in 10 years time?
- What do you think the overall PSC landscape in the UK should look like in 10 years time (providers, mechanisms, funding)? With an emphasis on the overall system rather than your own organisation's role in it.
Proceedings
Submissions