Integra Attends Intel’s World Ahead Program Meeting

The conference floor at the Four Seasons Bosphorus Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey.

Photo Credit: Bob Otto

Last month Integra representatives met with telecommunications sector leaders from 17 countries in Istanbul, Turkey. Focused on sharing broadband strategies and implementations, the meeting provided a unique opportunity for Integra to discuss next steps with GBI clients as well as an opportunity to meet with other country representatives interested in collaborating with USAID.

The meeting was held from May 22 to 24 and was sponsored by Intel Corporation’s World Ahead program with the goal of sharing experiences and best practices for reaching the billions of people who do not have access to ICTs. Sixty participants from 17 represented countries were in attendance in addition to various organizational representatives. The Secretary General of the International Telecommunications Union, Dr. Hamadoun Toure, attended, as did the Vice President of Intel’s World Ahead, John Davies. There were a total of 7 ministers participating as well as chief regulars and USF representatives from around the world.

Six GBI client countries (Moldova, Ukraine, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Ghana) were in attendance, and there was substantial recognition given to the contributions GBI is making to USFs and their broadband strategy. The Intel Corporation expressed strong support for GBI’s program to develop USF leadership associations for the Latin American and Asian regions, recognizing the importance of such platforms for sharing experience and best practices.