London, UK, 04 July, 2019 – The Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA) has confirmed the first group of key speakers for its annual conference, #theRoadAhead. Set to host representatives from a broad spectrum of the digital infrastructure sector, the conference will discuss the crucial issues that affect the development of new fibre and wireless broadband services across the UK.
“The timing of this year’s INCA Conference comes at an opportune moment,” commented Rob Leenderts, INCA Chair. “We are one year on from the publication of the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review and will soon have a new government that may demand an increase in pace from industry.”
James Heath, Director, Digital Infrastructure at Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), will join other Government representatives, network operators, service providers and equipment manufacturers to discuss the future of Britain’s digital infrastructure. Heath will be joined by Justin Leese, Programme Director, Building Digital UK, DCMS and Carolyn Johnson, Programme Lead, Rural Gigabit Connectivity Programme, DCMS. Additionally, Catherine Colloms, Director of Corporate Affairs and Brand, Openreach and Alastair Davidson, Director, Wireless Infrastructure Group (WIG) are confirmed to speak at the event. The conference will also welcome back Wenbing Yao, Director of Strategy and Marketing, Huawei.
“The calibre of speakers this year is fantastic, and we look forward to what will certainly be an important discussion about our achievements so far and the progress needed to deliver against challenging targets,” said Malcolm Corbett, CEO at INCA. “The conference will focus on delivery of new digital infrastructure, competition and markets, and demand. It is also an important networking event and this year we plan to involve many of the leaders of the second wave of independent operators, alongside representatives of the established providers. We are also keen to engage with private and public sector funders, and local authorities working to improve the digital infrastructure in their communities.”
#theRoadAhead INCA Conference, will take place at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Manchester on October 16 and 17 with the INCA Golds awards dinner taking place on the evening of October 16. The conference agenda will feature a Tech Showcase, Investor Workshop, a Rural Workshop, plus sessions on the development of fibre and wireless operators, and the key policy and regulatory issues.
Nominations for the INCA awards are open for an array of categories that recognise the work being carried out by independent operators in the UK towards futureproofing the country’s digital infrastructure. The winners of eight categories including Technical Innovation, Commercial Innovation, Urban Impact, Rural Impact, Best Community Project, Best Public Sector Impact, Outstanding Contribution by an Organisation and Outstanding Contribution by an Individual will collect a prestigious trophy of the inaugural INCA Golds awards.
To find out more about the Annual INCA Conference and Awards dinner, please visit: https://www.inca.coop/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=135.
To register to attend, please visit: https://www.inca.coop/civicrm/event/register?id=135&reset=1.