A new information and communications technologies revolution is evolving – new models are defining product innovation and service delivery. Digital lifestyles now combine voice, packaged and spontaneous video, location- based services, sponsored relationships and close integration with the World Wide Web. There is a seamless flow between work, home and leisure.

Networks are getting faster, smarter, more secure, and more reliable. Consumers have never had it so good and service providers have never been more deeply challenged as they seek to migrate traditional business models to the emerging plethora of digital choice.

With the theme “Leading Connectivity through ICTs”, ‘CANTO 2007' will explore the technology, business and policy issues created by the accelerated and continued convergence of information and communication technologies.

Leading experts from around the world will discuss successful strategies for advanced information services, video, youth and lifestyle marketing. Policy makers will explore the options and impact of next-generation service licensing, VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) and other new and emerging technologies. Vendors will also demonstrate the infrastructure platforms and consumer devices that enable the transition to future business models. Roundtable discussions will focus on the Information and Communication Technologies infrastructure in the Caribbean ; the use of ICT for Disaster Recovery and Management; and Exploiting ICT for retail and enhancing the quality of life experience.

 CANTO's Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition has long been recognized as the premier telecommunication event in the Caribbean . CANTO 2006 attracted over 650 participants of exceptional level and brought together a wide variety of existing and potential stakeholders from across the globe. This event will be attended by Ministers of Government, Policy Makers, Regulators and Chief Executive Officers.

 One of CANTO's major objectives is to encourage the beneficial development of telecommunications in the Caribbean . We firmly believe that this can materialize through better understanding and knowledge of issues in this fast evolving communication sector.

Accordingly, we invite you to contribute your part to assure the success of CANTO'07 by proposing a paper on one of the topics outlined in the Call for Papers . The papers presented at our previous conferences have been recognized for their quality as leading indicators of major industry trends that are important to the Caribbean .

• Regulatory and Policy;
• New and Emerging Technologies;
• Business and Finance – Leading Connectivity through ICTs
• Education through ICTs
• Exploiting ICTs for retail
• Leveraging ICTs for National Development

You may submit a proposal on a relevant topic of your choice providing it is consistent with the theme of the conference.

DEADLINES

GENERAL INFORMATION

  Accepted proposals may be slated by CANTO reviewers in one of the following categories:

• Managed Session: An organized session with a suggested list of speakers, where the proposer overseas the speakers and logistics from beginning to end.
• Panel: A forum of experts designed to disseminate, compare and debate information..
• Session Presentation: the formal presentation of papers to a designated audience with a question and answer period.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A PAPER PROPOSAL

  In responding to this Call for Papers we would appreciate strict adherence to the deadlines stated in this call as first consideration of papers will be given to those responding within the stipulated time frames all things being equal

Your paper proposal MUST include the following:

• Title of proposed paper
• An abstract of about 500 words. Full papers, graphs, charts, diagrams, slides etc will not be reviewed. The abstract should provide sufficient information to allow assessment of the scope and content of the paper and must be in text form.
• Session Name and Topic
• A short biography, reviewing the principal author's and co-author(s) professional and educational background. Complete contact information ( full adtress, telephone and fax numbers, email adtress) must be included with each biography
• An electronic head shot of the presenter
• Name and complete contact information of presenter, if different from the principal author
• Five (5) key words for indexing purposes.

Important Rules and Requirements

• Proposals must be prepared in English.
• Commercialism or citation and promotion of trade names must be avoided and will be viewed as vendor presentations. CANTO reserves the right to decline any papers with commercial content without notice.
• The paper should be original and not have had prior coverage or circulation, such as presentation at other conferences or prior publication.
• Proposals should have any necessary organizational clearance before submission
• Authors whose proposals are accepted will be invited to submit a first draft of their full papers for further consideration. The invitation to submit a first draft does not mean automatic inclusion of paper in the conference programme. All first drafts must be submitted by Friday 6 th April 2007 .
• No author can present more than once during the conference
• Upon final acceptance based on the first draft, preparation guidelines for the complete manuscript will be sent to authors. The manuscripts must meet the requirements and received in the format specified in the guidelines by Friday 1 st June 2007 . Where necessary, CANTO reserves the right to replace speakers.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

Please submit your paper proposals via e-mail to the under-mentioned:

Ms. Regenie Fraser

Secretary General

CANTO

67 Picton Street , Port of Spain

Trinidad and Tobago

Phone: 1 868 622 7478    Fax 1 868 622 3751

E-mail: rfraser@canto.org

Ms. Teresa Wankin,

Operations and Human Resources Manager,

CANTO

67 Picton Street , Port of Spain

Trinidad and Tobago

Phone: 1 868 622 3770    Fax 1 868 622 3751

E-mail: tdavid@canto.org