The Electrotechnical Association of Slovenia (a sister society of IEEE ComSoc), IEEE Communication Society Chapter of Slovenia and Slovenian and Slovenian Electronic Communications Society are organizing the 29th Workshop on Telecommunications VITEL 2013 which will be held from 27 to 28 May 2013 at Congress Centre Brdo pri Kranju in Slovenia.

The topic

In May 2010 the European Union adopted the Digital Agenda as one of the seven key initiatives of development strategy Europe 2020, recognizing that a good ICT infrastructure and its effective use are crucial for digital society and economic progress. Digital Agenda requires from EU Member States to take appropriate local measures for its realization by 2020. At 29th VITEL workshop we want to address infrastructural aspect of ensuring this initiative, which provides basic broadband to all Europeans by 2013, at least a speed of 30 Mbps for all European households and the possibility of connection at a speed of 100 Mbps for half of European households by 2020. It is estimated that the infrastructure for the realization of the objectives of the EU needs 200 billion euros. Some say that the Digital Agenda recorded ambitious targets but we already see that the most developed Asian countries this has been achieved and that their economies are strong and growing.

What about Slovenia?
In Slovenia more than two-thirds of households are using broadband, and more than 10% of the households have optical access to the Internet. That is not bad, Slovenia is on the average of the EU, but in recent years we have witnessed stagnation. It is the time to highlight these problems and find suggestions of what should be the relevant national objectives in this area and how to achieve them.

At the workshop we want to address:

Strategic aspects. Will Slovenia be among the best in the EU and an example for the others, or just want to reach minimum goals? Next generation networks are being built for 30 to 50 years, so the question is what strategic objectives we have for the period after 2020? How Slovenia can benefit from the instruments and resources of the EU budget for the years 2014-2020?
Technological development aspects. How long shell we insist on copper access lines? What can bring alternative technologies (DOCSIS 3.x on cable networks, LTE, other fixed broadband wireless networks, and satellite communications)? What topology/technology ratio and the technologies are best suited for the Slovenian market? Can the new long-term ICT infrastructure meet requirements of various industrial segments? Have the technological boundary conditions been already taken for open networks and open access to them? What are the practices and models of construction of Open Broadband Networks in other EU countries?

Economic aspects. Future modernization and expansion of the Slovenian network for the provision of the Digital Agenda is estimated at 400 to 500 million euros. Analysis shows that high level of network utilization (> 50%) is the key factor for the profitability of investments. What should be the expected long-term return on investment of the Slovenian ICT infrastructure? Can Slovenia afford more than one competitive infrastructure? Where can be found regular sources of funds for upgrading networks, what is their maturity? Is it acceptable concept that Slovenian infrastructure operators profits are not reinvested in the ICT sector? Are Slovenian users of ICT services (industry, citizens) globally competitive with a price to be paid to the network operators for their investment and maintenance of the networks? Which business models can improve the utilization of the networks? Last year the European Commission recommended a number of measures to be taken and to be implemented by the state regulators to reduce construction costs. What are the findings and best practices in Slovenia?

Organizational aspects. At the end of 2012 the European Commission began to think about a single pan-European ICT infrastructure. In Slovenia, the law allows differentiation of networks and services. Can this result in more transparent business operations, long-term sustainable investments and technological modernization? Will this allow a public-private partnership in infrastructure investment? Where are the traps of such a model? Has anyone (regulator, the State or the professional public) already modeled or simulated such a model? Will we make a good business ecosystem for Slovenian breakthrough or will be forced to take the EU practice? Whether and how to organize and establish Slovenian infrastructure holding company? What will be the regulation of open broadband networks?
There are a lot of dilemmas and questions, so we invite you to participate with your professional contribution.