Future technology events
Network outsourcing and sharing - 21 January 2010
Telecoms operators face the twin challenges of upgrading their networks and reducing their expenditure. Whether it is fixed operators investing in next generation IP core transport networks or fibre access, or mobile operators rolling out 3G or LTE networks, the demands to reduce capital expenditure and operating costs make it increasingly difficult for operators to justify own-build projects. Instead, partnership models where operators co-operate to share networks and/or network investments or partner up with service provider partners to outsource networks and networks operations are becoming operators' first choice.
This seminar will guide you through the process from beginning to end - starting with the business justification, we will then identify the best practice to get the deal done and conclude with a session on trouble-shooting problems.
If you are interested in participating in this event please contact Sophie Lang on 020 7067 3164 or at sophie.lang@olswang.com.
Digital Money +TECHNOLOGY, 26 January 2010
The third +TECHNOLOGY event will be Digital Money +TECHNOLOGY.
In five years’ time, you can be sure of having a few less pounds in your pocket. This is not a doomsday speech based on the current economic climate, but a technology reality check. The impact of technology on physical money is already being felt today, and will increase exponentially. Credit cards and debit cards already underpin the vast majority of our high value transactions. Fuelled by the success of eBay and Amazon, other payment services have developed across the globe to allow ecommerce to be transacted between the growing numbers of buyers and sellers, where physical presence is the exception rather than the rule. Oyster, the RFID payment system, has been a huge success across the London public transportation system and similar technologies have started to be adopted by Visa and Barclaycard for other smaller transactions.
The challenge of leveraging the value of content, whether words, music or film has yet to be resolved, but some form of cash-free system of micro payments will almost certainly be at the heart of the solution. All of this enters the convergence domain, asking which device will be at the heart of our spending experience – will we simply develop the relationship with our banks and credit card companies? Or will technology development favour the SIM at the heart of our mobile phone? Digital Money +Technology seeks to bring together interested parties from across the financial and technology spectrum to consider current trends and to discuss the changes, legislative and social, necessary to facilitate the march of progress.
To find out more about this and future +TECHNOLOGY events please visit www.plustechnology.co.uk
Public procurement remedies event – 4 February 2010
Important changes to the enforcement of the UK public procurement regime come into force on 20th December 2009. This bolstering of bidders' rights is widely expected to result in more complaints and legal challenges against public sector procurements. Olswang LLP will be hosting a seminar on the new regime on the morning of 4 February 2010. We will be joined by Michael Bowsher QC to discuss the changes, including (i) the introduction of an automatic suspension of the procurement where a contract award decision is challenged before the High Court and (ii) the possibility of overturning concluded contracts in cases where there has been a very serious breach of the procurement rules.
If you would like to attend this event, please contact our Head of Public Procurement, Melanie Collier on melanie.collier@olswang.com
Roundtable on the future of road pricing - February 2010
The implementation of modern, electronic road toll systems is an evolving market in Europe. Many European countries such as France, Slovenia, Poland and the Netherlands are on their way to implementing new or expanding existing tolling schemes or are exploring the possibility for transition from non-electronic systems (vignettes) to electronic schemes (based on microwave or satellite technology). There are many reasons for the increasing activities in this sector: modern tolling schemes on national, regional or local level are expected to reduce congestion and provide a means of user financing for road infrastructure that is capable of meeting the needs of increasing traffic. With the public and political debate focussing on climate change and worldwide efforts to reduce emissions, road pricing projects are also supported by the idea of making a sustained contribution to protecting the environment. Furthermore, modern tolling systems can boost new technologies (e.g. the European satellite project Galileo) and value-added services such as fleet and freight management and emergency tracking.
This round table discussion will focus on the recent developments on the European road pricing market and will give an in-depth insight on the lessons learned in the implementation of the latest tolling schemes. It will also identify potential benefits and risks for public and private stakeholders in relation to the implementation of future schemes in the UK and in other European countries.
If you are interested in participating in this event please contact Petra Kocken on 020 7067 3128 or at petra.kocken@olswang.com
