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IoT - Over 15 Billion Devices to Be Connected By 2015
[September 30, 2014]

IoT - Over 15 Billion Devices to Be Connected By 2015


(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) According to speakers at International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom World 2013, the market value for Internet of Things (IoT) is estimated at over USD 14 trillion, representing between 15 and 25 billion devices by 2015.



It is for this reason that ITU is calling on young people aged between 18 and 30 from around the world to submit ideas for concepts of start-ups aimed at using the Internet of Things (IoT) for social good globally.

The IoT refers to the ability to connect and interact digitally with physical objects around the world, bringing together sensing, communications and information infrastructures to initiate a paradigm shift in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and customer services.


Run in partnership with the IEEE Internet of Things (IoT) Initiative Working Group, the challenge opens the way for two winning concepts for start-ups to attend ITU Telecom World 2014, the leading platform for debate, networking and showcasing for the global ICT community, that will be held December, in Doha, Qatar.

The challenge seeks ideas on how benefits from the 'IoT' can be used for social good in countries around the world, especially emerging economies where development is currently slower due to the cost of the technology, lack of underlying infrastructure and the need for strong, widespread connectivity.

"The Internet of Things is one of the most exciting areas of technology today," said ITU Telecom Executive Manager, Blaise Judja-Sato. "It is vital that its implementation and benefits are not limited to developed, wealthy economies. The potential impact of IoT technologies, solutions and applications in emerging markets is enormous - from reducing the risk of famine to amplifying currently scarce resources in healthcare." "The IoT offers tremendous business opportunities, but it also presents challenges for engineers, who must build more complex systems, deal with interoperability, privacy, regulatory and energy efficiency issues, and determine ways to analyse the deluge of data," said Chairman, IEEE IoT Initiative, Roberto Minerva, to drive the evolution and deployment of successful IoT solutions in academic and industrial environments, and speaker at ITU Telecom World 2014.

"IEEE is excited to be involved in the ITU Young Innovators Competition, as the need to identify the next generation of engineering talent to develop IoT technologies for the benefit of humanity is extremely important." Challenge-4 is a co-creation challenge calling for applicants to submit ideas, discuss, exchange views and contribute collaboratively. The ideas with the greatest potential will be developed into concepts under the guidance of expert facilitators over the dedicated crowd sourcing platform.

Two winners of the Challenge will attend ITU Telecom World 2014 to pitch ideas before industry and government leaders, participate in workshops, benefit from a year of ongoing mentorship, and win up to USD 5000 in seed funding.

Copyright Daily Independent. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

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