UCL Business Partnership lecture: Telefonica O2

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Dr Mike Short, VP of Group Research and Development at Telefonica O2 gave a UCL Business Partnership lecture on the third generation mobile industry on 16 March.Dr Short's lecture focused on mobile data applications and new trends in bridging digital divides, including greater connectivity in transport, assisted healthcare, machine-to-machine (M2M) and consumer-oriented connected appliances.

Dr Short drew on his experiences and expertise as recent Chairman and current Honorary President of the Mobile Data Association, current Chairman of the UK Trade and Investment Information Communications Technology Sector Advisory Board, and Vice-President of  the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Dr Short reflected that the global mobile communications industry was one of the most robust sectors in the world economy, with rapid growth in India, Latin America and China.

With more than 4 billion handsets worldwide (predicted to rise to 5 billion by 2011), and with massive growth in data usage (texting), Dr Short predicted that "the global mobile communications industry will be one of the catalysts for recovery from the current market downturn."

Given that Telefonica O2 has one of the largest European research and development budgets and one of the market's most rapid growth rates, Dr Short stressed that the company is continuing to place emphasis on innovation and partnerships, and is not anticipating a reduction in graduate internships.

The lecture was well attended, with an audience consisting of UCL staff, students, alumni and members of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.The event was hosted by Professor Bernard Buxton, UCL Dean of Engineering Sciences and Professor Alwyn Seeds, Head of UCL Electronic and Electrical Engineering and was organised by Dr Anna Clark, UCL Director of Business Partnerships.

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Dr Mike Short of Telefonica 02 delivers a UCL Business Partnerships lecture
The event was well attended by a variety of UCL students, staff and industry professionals

UCL Context

UCL Business Partnerships
UCL works in a variety of partnerships with multinational companies in energy and resources, telecommunications, transport and construction as well as with smaller companies in art, advertising, communication, imaging and entertainment.

Dr Anna Clark is responsible for negotiating and maintaining strategic alliances and tailored partnerships. She works closely with senior management in industry and with UCL academics to identify key strategies for partnership and to develop a range of collaborative projects over a broad range of fields.

Read more:
UCL Trevithick Event, sponsored by O2