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November 26, 2024
"While delivering users a broader, faster, and more intelligent network, we must simultaneously enhance network security."
Li Zhengmao

Zhengmao, Chairman of WBBA: Cloud-Network Broadband Innovation Drives the Development of an Open and Secure Next-Generation Internet

Screenshot 2024-11-22 183126
Discover how cloud-network broadband innovation is shaping the next-generation Internet. WBBA Chairman Li Zhengmao highlights the role of AI, 5G, and IPv6 in driving open, secure, and collaborative digital infrastructure at the 2024 Wuzhen Summit.

On November 21, the Next-Generation Internet Forum of the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit took place in Wuzhen. The event, themed "Innovation-Driven Security Empowerment: Building an Open and Secure Next-Generation Internet," was a significant gathering of experts and leaders in the field. Li Zhengmao, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the World Broadband Association (WBBA), attended the forum and delivered a keynote speech.

In his address, Li Zhengmao emphasized that the ongoing scientific and technological revolution, along with rapid industrial transformation, has accelerated the development of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, big data, and future networks. These advancements are fostering new industries, business models, and sources of economic momentum. At the same time, they are driving heightened user demands for digitalization, intelligence, sustainability, and security. To meet these needs, Li highlighted the importance of technological innovation in advancing the construction and upgrading of new digital information infrastructure. Such efforts, he stated, will lay a robust foundation for the development of a high-quality next-generation Internet, as well as broader economic and societal growth.

Li Zhengmao shared key insights into the current state of global digital information infrastructure. He noted that the worldwide Internet penetration rate continues to rise, with 5.4 billion users now connected. The adoption of fixed broadband and 5G services is increasing rapidly, alongside the global acceleration of hyperscale data center construction. Additionally, the country has fully transitioned its IP backbone networks, metropolitan area networks, access networks, and terminals to IPv6, achieving remarkable progress in the evolution of next-generation Internet protocols and architecture optimization. Meanwhile, the development of computing power and storage capacity has reached unprecedented levels, bolstering the allocation of computing resources and facilitating data element circulation.

"While delivering users a broader, faster, and more intelligent network, we must simultaneously enhance network security," Li Zhengmao stressed. He underscored the importance of innovating network security technologies in emerging scenarios such as AI-based large models. By leveraging advancements in network intelligence, computing-network collaboration, and cloud-network integration, it is possible to enable capabilities such as automated network configuration, fault self-healing, optimization, and management. These developments will imbue networks with proactive, immune-like security capabilities.

Li Zhengmao also highlighted WBBA's mission to accelerate the development of global cyber infrastructure, foster connectivity, and strengthen international collaboration to address transnational cyber threats. He advocated for an open, secure, and orderly cyberspace, emphasizing that the future network must inherit the Internet's core values of openness and collaboration while ensuring security through technological innovation. WBBA is committed to building consensus within the industry, addressing challenges collaboratively, and fostering innovation in the next-generation Internet.

During the forum, Chairman Li Zhengmao engaged in discussions with Latif Ladid, Founder and Chairman of the Global IPv6 Forum, focusing on strategies to deepen cooperation and build a more secure next-generation Internet.

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Martin Creaner
Director General of the World Broadband Association

Martin Creaner is one of the leading strategic thinkers in the global communications industry with a successful career as an executive with Motorola and British Telecom, as well as over a decade as President and CEO of the TM Forum.

Martin currently advises the boards of a number of companies in the communications and high tech industries, ranging from up-and-coming digital economy companies, to market leaders.

Martin has been named among the 25 Most Influential People in Telecom Software by Billing World and has twice been named as one of Global Telecoms Business’ Top 100. Martin holds a Master of Business Administration from Cranfield University, Cranfield School of Management; a Master of Science in Telecommunications from the University of East Anglia; and Bachelor’s degrees in Engineering and Physics from Dublin City University and the University College Dublin, respectively.

Martin is also a recognized thought-leader on digital transformation and the trends of the emerging digital economy. His most recent book “Transforming the Telco” explains the opportunities and challenges that digital transformation presents and outlines how the Telco might navigate this difficult process.

Previous books include “Delivering the Digital Economy”, which outlines the dynamics of the digital economy, and “Frameworx Distilled” & “NGOSS Distilled”, which provide a detailed guidebook to the standards that underpin the Telecom software industry.

Martin was appointed unanimously to the role of Director General by WBBA members.

Martin lives in Cork, Ireland.

Li Zhengmao
Doctor of Engineering, Professor, WBBA Board Chairman

Li Zhengmao, Doctor of Engineering, Professor. He was awarded the title of “Chinese Doctors with Outstanding Contribution” by the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council & the former State Education Commission, and granted the China Youth Science and Technology Award by the China Association for Science and Technology, and the 2017 Distinguished Industry Leader Award by IEEE; he was inducted into the 2020 IPv6 Internet Hall of Fame and enjoyed special government allowances.

Li served as Vice-Chairman of China Institute of Communications, Vice President of Internet Society of China, Vice-Chairman of the Association of Communications Across the Taiwan Straits, Vice-Chairman of All-China Environment Federation, Board member of GSM Association (GSMA), Board Director of Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Alliance, Executive Director of Global TD-LTE Initiative (GTI), Vice President of China United Communications Corporation Limited, Vice President of China Mobile Communications Corporation Limited, and President of China Telecommunications Corporation Limited.