SLT partners Infotel-2017 as principal sponsor

Sri Lanka Telecom, Sri Lanka’s premier telecommunication solutions provider has joined with as a principle sponsor with Infotel 2017, in supporting the vision of transforming Sri Lanka towards a trillion-dollar economy through digitization by 2042. 

With the 25th anniversary of Infotel also marked by this year’s Infotel, SLT has made plans to open up a number of initiatives that will garner interest and will become centerpieces of this year’s Infotel. Organized by the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS), INFOTEL is South Asia’s oldest and most prestigious Information and Communication Technology (ICT) exposition. This year’s event is scheduled to be held from November 1st to 5th at the BMICH in Colombo, under the theme ‘Towards a Digital Economy’.  Ajantha Seneviratne, Group Chief Marketing Officer SLT speaks more about their sponsorship in following interview. 

What was the reason behind taking part in this year’s Infotel?

SLT has always supported the Sri Lankan ICT industry through various initiatives, and with Infotel we have continued to work together to uplift the ICT industry of Sri Lanka for over 13 years. And with the theme of this year, the sector based approach and the vision towards using digitization to transform Sri Lanka’s economy, we felt that this was a vision that we also shared and felt we must support. 

What is your opinion on Infotel?

Infotel has been the premiere ICT event in Sri Lanka for over two decades and this year will mark its 25th anniversary. It has allowed many Sri Lankan ICT companies an opportunity to showcase their many offerings and talent as well as enabled the general public to gain an insight to how the ICT industry is rapidly transforming the way we live. Especially with the school children and other students being one of the largest groups of attendees each year, we feel Infotel is fulfilling a role that could not be overlooked. 

What do you think about the approach by Infotel 2017?

In many ways, digitization is becoming the primary way in which our economy will advance. Thus, we think this year’s theme is an opportune one. Each of the sectors that have been allocated has immense potential to disrupt the way through digitization how traditionally these industries operated in the past.  

We at SLT too have recognized this and have taken many initiatives to support this growing requirement as well as use the opportunities that were on offer. 

What are some of the initiatives that you’ve undertaken to transform Sri Lankan economy?

First off SLT has built what we call NBN, or national backbone Network which is the primary infrastructure on which all telecommunication networks and many key institutions operate. We have also taken steps to expand our infrastructure through fiber optic networks domestically connecting all the cities and major institutions both government and private. 

Also, in anticipation of a strong demand for internet use we have increased our connectivity option to suit the demands of the next 25 years as well as attained access to newest SEA-ME-WE 5 submarine cable system adding to multiple global connectivity options of SEA-MEWE 3, 4, Bharath-Lanka and SLT-Dhiraagu cable systems. National backbone network is the platform in which Sri Lankan digital economy can rely on as even today many financial institutions use the network to communicate with their branches as well as each other. 

Also, the ATM network of all banks are facilitated through SLT networks.  At present, SLT has also completed LGN, Lanka Government network 1.0 connecting 350 government institutions ahead of planned time. Steps are now being taken to implement LGN 2.0 which will seek to connect up to 850 government institutions.

We have also made a firm commitment to cyber security with multiple data centers and can proudly claim a success rate of near 100 percent against cyber-attacks. Due to strong cyber security measures in place, SLT has been able to successfully prevent any loss of data or unauthorized access by third parties. Last but certainly not least, we have introduced SLT Zero One Awards (#01Awards), a programme dedicated to recognizing digital excellence and we have both been able recognize those who have made significant contributions in digital excellence and to establish  01Awards as the platform for people to strive for.  

What are your plans for this year’s Infotel?

This year we are particularly focusing on two special areas, first is the gaming based technology we are introducing towards a lag-less gaming experience. 

The second is the area of Internet of Things, where we hope to also showcase winners from SLIOT in a public ceremony at the Infotel event. We hope to introduce our entire suit of services primarily in these two areas, however our full range of products will also be on display for both the general public and the potential corporate audiences. SLT has been the undisputed leading telecommunication solutions provider in Sri Lanka for many years. 

With their focus also shifting towards digitization more rapidly, it is sign of things to come and a shared vision of the Infotel and SLT on digitization of Sri Lankan economy. SLT will also introduce a number of new initiatives at Infotel 2017 and will become one of the centerpieces in this year’s exhibition.