Is there any value ofdoing telecom research

in Pakistan?A. Qayyum

M A Jinnah University, Islamabad

Market forces andtechnology roll out

➲ Market forces and technology roll out Fast growing, competitive telecom market Deployment of new technologies Market for “telecom research” ? ? ?

➲ Needs of the industry and technology pull Local telecom industry mostly needs vendors

not researchers! Technology pull is there to rapidly introduce new

features / technology, but “complete solution” concept is mostly adopted

Research initiatives and creation of IP, innovative technologies

➲ Research grants by ICT R&D Fund, HEC, and others (Cisco URP, Asia Link, etc.)

➲ Creation of IP not targeted in univ. research Often in cutting-edge technology, but mostly

“open ended”: ends up in publication of papers➲ Patenting the research is one desirable

approach➲ Real benefit is in working toward standards

E.g. Internet Drafts at IETF, then pursuing for an RFC

Gaps in Pakistan’s telecom ecosystem

➲ Telecom sector is not dependent on Local manufacturing Local research

➲ Sustainable ecosystem in short-term may be difficult to achieve

Service providersService providers

Manufacturing industryManufacturing industry

Research / innovationResearch / innovation

Gaps in Pakistan’s telecom ecosystem

➲ Telecom sector is not dependent on Local manufacturing Local research

➲ Sustainable ecosystem in short-term may be difficult to achieve

Service providersService providers

Manufacturing industryManufacturing industry

Research / innovationResearch / innovationSoftware components

Technology solutions, Service innovation

Couple research withproduct development

➲ Emphasis on applied research➲ Certain niche market may be focused,

rather than a variety of areas➲ Smaller components may be developed,

instead of a “complete solution” E.g. Motorola consortium for partnership in IMS