 ITU Telecom Event, helping the world communicate since 1971. For 50 years now, ITU Telecom has been connecting global governments and the ICT industry, showcasing technologies, sharing knowledge, rewarding innovation for global good, and helping improve lives everywhere. ITU Telecom Event started out life in 1971, with a message to the 21st century. Since then, events have been held in all corners of the world, from Rio de Janeiro to Busan to Cairo and Geneva, reflecting the changing face of innovation. Back in 1971, ICT was all about telecoms, voice over a fixed infrastructure, run by national operators out of government departments. On-show was switching and transmission equipment, video phones, audio-visual equipment, and television studios, communications or research satellites. ITU's 1973 Plenary Potentiary Conference decreed that telecom was to be an exhibition to serve member countries of ITU organized in collaboration with them, and so its future was shaped. Telecom was to be a technical exhibition, demonstrating the application of science and technology, where participants could watch and learn about the latest innovations in a field in a state of constant rapid evolution. At Telecom 1975, this meant showcases of microprocessors and satellites. Developing countries joined too, detailing their plans for any activity needing telecommunications. They connected with constructors to go through their projects and met with investors to discuss financing. Engineering had advanced rapidly in the run-up to telecom in 1979, where the collaborative British exhibit, System X, made its debut as an electronic telephone switching system. Networks continued evolving through circuit switching to packet switching networks. The early 80s brought with it a paradigm shift of telecom's market liberalization. The era of mobile telephony took root, exploding from brick-shaped executive symbol to the ubiquitous tool of daily life today. This was driven by the short message service, the SMS or text, which proved immensely unexpectedly popular, in combination with technological advances, flat-grade packages and internet-savvy populations. Participants at Telecom 1987 got a taste of the global messaging network to come with a showcase of the X400 series of recommendations, more commonly known as email. Telecom 1999 highlighted one of the most major trends in this era, the convergence of the internet with mobile technology and included prototype smartphones. Mobile growth continued, fueled by the development of mobile apps and the ability to send not just text but images and video from anyone to anywhere. At ITU Telecom World 2003, wireless technologies were highlighted for their potential to bridge the digital divide, connecting previously unconnected populations to the information society. Regional events were also organized. ITU Telecom events were hosted by different member states. The event continued to evolve, welcoming small and medium enterprises as a new group of participants in 2015, which was the year when the ITU Telecom World Awards were launched, recognizing the most innovative tech solutions with real social impact. And in 2020, the event made its successful debut online with ITU Virtual Digital World, co-hosted with the Government of Vietnam. We're entering a truly digital world where anyone can be connected via a host of different devices, wherever they are. Now 5G Mobile is bringing faster broadband, powering applications in areas as diverse as media, manufacturing or smart transport. Emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data, clean energy or robotics are set to transform our lives, helping us live smartly, safely and efficiently. We've been helping the ICT industry flourish since 1971. Join us to explore the next 50 years of innovation.