Better tech drives emerging market innovation

Thanks to new technologies, emerging markets have the potential to become the world's new centres of innovation, says Neotel CTO Dr Angus Hay.

Elaborating on a talk to be delivered at next week's ITWeb Business Communications conference, in Bryanston, Hay notes that new businesses are mushrooming in emerging markets, thanks to enabling technologies such as wireless and fibre connectivity.

For growing businesses, advanced and adaptable technologies, such as fibre-optic connectivity, is the key.

As businesses grow, fibre technologies allow seamless upgrades and business growth simultaneously. They should adopt, create and deliver technology that is necessary to remain on the leading edge of product evolution and market acceptance.

Businesses today are dependent on Internet-delivered (cloud-based) IT and communications services, including voice over IP (VOIP), hence reliable Internet is a must, or businesses will simply grind to a halt.

With new technologies the great equaliser, emerging markets now have the potential to lead the world in terms of business and technology innovation, Hay says. He cites instances where technologies are created in response to emerging market needs, leading to adoption of the same technologies in more developed countries. For example, M-Pesa, a mobile payment system first developed in Kenya, is now used by millions of people across Africa.

Neotel's CEO, Sunil Joshi, will be one of the key speakers at the ITWeb Business Communications conference, on 22 November. For more information or to book your place at this event, click here.