The mission and the scope of the symposium

5G connectivity is one of the fundamental enablers of the data economy, paving the way for massive Internet of Things (IoT) applications and new services. However, 5G doesn’t happen on its own – who is involved? What environment is required?
The aim of the symposium is to provide a clear explanation and elaboration about 5G technologies. Specifically, we will introduce the audience to basic concepts from the radio-communication domain; we will describe the technological progress in the last decade and discuss the opportunities and challenges that accompany the full 5G implementation. The better understanding of the domain will help the participants to engage better with the follow-up conversations. In particular the elaboration will be followed by a discussion over the existing standards, health and safety regulations with emphasis on the specific unique properties of the emerging 5G networks. In particular we shall try to cover all positive features that 5G networks will bring including its role for high speed communication and Internet of things transformations.
We shall discuss all the facts presented in the light of the recent accusations, and misinformation online that led to many cases of public scrutiny of 5G network expansion. The clarifications are expected by the public in particular in the context of significant level of unjustified concerns linking 5G technologies and the spread of the recent COVID-19 virus. Finally, we will also look “beyond the curtain” and try to imagine the 5G and the world of the future powering it and elaborate upon both utopian and dystopian scenarios. We can link 5G to philosophical and mystical concepts that may obfuscate its truly functional and science based objectives. However, our goal is to keep the discussions as open minded as possible and the moderators will guard the inclusivity of the discourse so that no position or idea, even the most unexpected and revolutionary shall not be missed.

COMPACT project

The objective of the COMPACT project is to increase awareness (including scientific, political, cultural, legal, economic and technical areas) of the latest technological discoveries among key stakeholders in the context of social media and convergence. The project offers analyses and road maps of related initiatives. In addition, extensive research on policies and regulatory frameworks in media and content has been done.
We believe that this symposium will help the policy makers, journalists and general public voice and to address some specific questions about the emerging 5G technologies. We aim at our stakeholders having a better view on the issues related to 5G, built upon solid facts delivered by the domain experts rather than derived from unverified statements propagated by social media influencers. We believe the research and analyses performed by COMPACT will benefit from multi-stakeholder feedback obtained through constructive discussions hosted in this symposium.

The participants and the target audience
To ensure strong diversity of views and opinions we intend to bring the representatives of the telecommunication technology sector, researchers, policy makers and medical doctors as well as media people to provide multi-perspective comprehensive discourse. The symposium is targeted to policy makers as well as to media and broader public and aims to discuss, evaluate and demystify the complexities of 5G-powered digital future in an interactive and interdisciplinary manner which crosses fields and boundaries. The related concepts shall be presented in an understandable and thought provoking way that will not only inform a lay audience but spur its imagination to accomplish a smart interconnected community.

The symposium delivery
The symposium will be hosted on the 14th of May and it will be realized as an online webinar and delivered via popular ZOOM platform with about 15 presenters to up to 280 participants. The Webinar will start at 12:30 PM GMT and will conclude at 16:45 GMT. For clarity here is the time for specific locations:
TIME:
EU: Dublin 13:30 , Brussels 14:30 , Warsaw 14:30 , Zagreb 14: 30, Sofia 15:30
Outside EU: New York 8:30 AM, Seoul 21:30
The symposium will be also live streamed via Facebook for broader audience and additional feedback (the chat will be monitored by the organizers throughout the event) – no audience limit applies. The stream will appear at COMPACT Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/compact.media.eu

Additionally, a dedicated Virtual Reality space has been created using free, open source Mozilla Hubs solution so that the audience can engage with the participants in an innovative way for greater channel convergence. Therefore extra “coffee breaks” and engagement will be provided in the virtual space that can be accessed both via VR as well as standard browser: https://hub.link/M4teCU2
The “coffee will be served” both via ZOOM and Mozilla platform.

REGISTER

AGENDA

The start of the symposium -14th of May 2020 – 12:30 PM GMT
(13:30 Dublin, 14:30 Brussels, 14:30 Zagreb, 15:30 Sofia)

12:30 GMT – Welcome to the Symposium
The participants will be welcomed by the hosts and guided on the available communication channels modes and rules of the symposium – logistics. The hosts will briefly introduce themselves, COMPACT project and its mission and give a short introduction of the presenters.
SPEAKERS:
Dr. Lukasz Porwol – eGov deputy leader and Researcher at DSI, Insight, National University of Ireland, Galway, NewsBeez executive team member – COMPACT project coordinator
Mr. Munir Podumljak PSD – Partnership for Social Development & NewsBeez founder
Dr. Bissera Zankova – Media 21 Foundation
The welcome session will be hosted by COMPACT project representatives – Coordination and Support Action funded European Commission under framework Horizon 2020.
This symposium continues on one of the project’s pillars which is informing the public about the state of media convergence (including technology trends, media regulation and dealing with disinformation). In particular, that important mission has been realised so far via international in-person symposia and events hosted across EU and beyond. However, the current, extraordinary circumstances caused by the pandemics despite clear negative impacts enforced an innovative approach and made us put media convergence in practice even stronger through new, online mode of symposia delivery.
Our idea for the symposium spans from our conversations with policy makers and the strong indication of paucity of comprehensive, lay information on 5G developments. Specifically we identified deep concerns among policy makers, journalists and the general public alike about the shape of 5G deployment. The late proliferation of disinformation, on the topic, often takes various extreme forms exhibited in fake news such as the conspiracy
theory and alleged link between 5G transmitters and COVID-19 infections. At COMPACT we felt obliged to look at the 5G issues in detail and device a understandable, yet clear message that would debunk some of the myths and look objectively at reported opportunities and challenges alike.

12:50 GMT – 5G in a Nutshell – The Opening Keynote Presentation
The opening keynote presentations will provide a comprehensive, multi-perspective, background view on 5G to the participants to enable more informed discussions. In particular, we shall hear about 5G as an enabler for better society and as a cutting-edge, next-generation technology that will change the world as we know it both in terms of business, government sector and daily lives. Finally we shall briefly hear about the potential challenges in 5G implementation.
MODERATOR:
Mr. Niall O’Brolchain, Researcher at DSI, Insight, National University of Ireland, Galway (former Irish MP and Mayor of Galway City)
SPEAKERS:
Mr. Andreas Geiss, Head of Unit for Spectrum Policy in DG CONNECT, European Commission
Ms. Andreana Atanasova, Deputy minister responsible for information technology and communication of Bulgaria
Dr. Catalin Vrabie, Professor Assistant, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Romania
Mr. Peter Kimpian , Data Protection Unit, Council of Europe.
Mr. Harri Paloheimo, CEO CoReorient, former Nokia Green Research Team Leader and Principal Researcher, worked on simulations of NextG radio relay systems; NewsBeez executive team member
Prof. Michel Israel , National Centre for Public Health and Analyses, Ministry of Health of Bulgaria
Dr. Jack Rowley, Senior Director for Research & Sustainability and works in the Advocacy Department of the GSMA

13:30 GMT – 5G Technologies Opportunities and Challenges – Discussion Panel I
5G telecommunication benchmark creates an unprecedented level of expectations and at the same time strong resistance in tech advancement. 5G technologies implementation faces challenges similar to issues seen in the time of the introduction of electricity when lack of understanding, no clarity and fear of the unknown hindered major developments in some parts of the world. Eventually, electrification of cities progressed and the world changed forever creating a base to all major developments leading to modern life as we know it. 5G creates an opportunity of significant magnitude to ensure a smooth transition from a society of information to a data-driven society of knowledge. The full realisation of smart industry and smart cities is contingent on effective, rapid
wireless communication. Ensuring that relevant, safe, secure and efficient next-gen wireless infrastructure is in place as soon as possible is an important responsibility to governments, businesses and civil societies alike.
Some of the questions on the table that our respective speakers will address are: What is 5G, where we can see it, and how it operates? What are differences between the 5G and current 4G networks and what are social, political and economic implications of the change? What radiation means when relating to 5G and what are actual numbers behind it in comparison to other technological advancements that we already use? Who are godfathers of 5G and how their battle looks at this stage (another Tesla vs. Edison struggle?) Who are winners and losers in 5G? What are the health implications of 5G transmission infrastructure and how are these health implications observed? What will happen with wildlife and nature with mass use of 5G transmitters? Who are guardians of public good in a case of 5G and are they up to a challenge? Who and when broke the internet and will the 5G fix the problem or will it make worse? What are implications of utopian and dystopian scenarios of 5G – will we evolve as smarter or more stupid with the 5G in place?
Moderator:
Ms. Malika Keswani, Senior Production Manager, BBC World Services
VOICE OF THE PUBLIC:
Mr. Niall O’Brolchain, Researcher at DSI, Insight, National University of Ireland, Galway (former Irish MP and Mayor of Galway City)
Speakers:
Mr. Andreas Geiss, Head of Unit for Spectrum Policy in DG CONNECT, European Commission
Mr. Harri Paloheimo, CEO CoReorient, former Nokia Green Research Team Leader and Principal Researcher, worked on simulations of NextG radio relay systems, NewsBeez executive team member
Prof. Michel Israel , National Centre for Public Health and Analyses, Ministry of Health of Bulgaria
Ms. Andreana Atanasova, Deputy minister responsible for information technology and communication of Bulgaria
Ms. Ina O’ Murchu, Technologist, Technopreneur, Ireland and Consultant at Onlim, Austria
Mr. Peter Kimpian , Data Protection Unit, Council of Europe.

14:30 GMT – Discussion Panel II – 5G conspiracy theories and disinformation
“The point of modern propaganda isn’t only to misinform or push an agenda. It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth.”
― Garry Kasparov
The lessons from the past on ionized radiation and risky, rushed developments, raised many concerns in discussions on 5G and non-ionized radiation emitted by next-generation communication systems. Insecurity and anxiety caused by the unknown had affected all of us, including researchers, academics, policy makers, industry and many individuals that are still coping with embracing existing gadgets in day to day life. At the same time, we became aware that utopian scenarios and dreams of founders of internet, that individual availability of free
mass communication will create world that is more free and just, did not materialize. Today, as some of COMPACT respective speakers’ state – “internet is broken” and many anomalies that derive from it negatively affect our lives, in some cases threatening even the democracy as foundation of modern civilization. COMPACT researchers detected that in both cases – current internet information disorder, and reaching 5G milestone, lack of proper understanding of the facts play crucial role in exacerbating negative discourse toward technology. In addition to endangering legitimate course of technological development, such attitude in fact may push tech entrepreneurs and policy actors toward adopting ineffective and dangerous solutions that will be hard to repair. While introducing facts, research findings and opinions, speakers in this panel will try to respond to many questions, including controversial ones, about the 5G and the Internet.
Some of the key questions for the speakers that will be on the table are: What provokes the dissemination of conspiracy theories on 5G? Do they represent pure disinformation or there are still some parts we should think about? What is truth vs false information on 5G effects on human beings as thoroughly checked by fact-checkers? Why traditional media is not able to inform and educate citizens on actual developments and impact of the 5G digital communication infrastructure? Will and in what way 5G challenge power equilibrium in digital economy reached during the 4G era? Is there 5G information warfare and if yes who are the actors? Who benefits from 5G misinformation spread? How do we fix damage done to internet infrastructure? What is meaning of digital citizenry and how do we protect human rights in digital world?
The panel will host the central discussion the alleged negative consequences of rolling out 5G technologies worldwide. We shall discuss and debunk the existing myths as well as consider the potential socio-technical risks and how they can be alleviated. Specifically we shall look at some recent 5G & COVID-19 related conspiracy theories as well the consequences of lack of clarity and disinformation online on the topic.

Moderator:
Dr. Lukasz Porwol – eGov deputy leader and Researcher at DSI, Insight, National University of Ireland, Galway, NewsBeez executive team member – COMPACT project coordinator
VOICE OF THE PUBLIC:
Mr. Niall O’Brolchain, Researcher at DSI, Insight, National University of Ireland, Galway (former Irish MP and Mayor of Galway City)
Speakers:
Ms. Malika Keswani, Senior Production Manager, BBC World Services
Mr. Munir Podumljak, PSD – Partnership for Social Development & NewsBeez founder
Mr. Mikko Salo, Faktabaari (FactBar) Founder, media innovator and EU Senior Advisor to LUT University, NewsBeez co-founder
Dr. Catalin Vrabie, Professor Assistant at the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest
Dr. Jack Rowley, Senior Director for Research & Sustainability and works in the Advocacy Department of the GSMA

15:30 GMT – Discussion Panel III – The future of ultra-connected society
The final panel will be devoted to free, open-minded discussion about the digital future where 5G and related technologies will certainly dominate our daily lives. We shall present agnostic scenarios and opinions to spin a discussion on the future of digitally interconnected humans, described by renowned author Yuval Noah Harari as“Homo Deus”. We shall explore the topics beyond technology and look at long term opportunities and impacts of wireless technologies on the 21centry society.
Moderator:
Ina O’ Murchu, Technologist, Technopreneur, Ireland and Consultant at Onlim, Austria
VOICE OF THE PUBLIC:
Mr. Niall O’Brolchain, Researcher at DSI, Insight, National University of Ireland, Galway (former Irish MP and Mayor of Galway City)
Participants:
Dr. Bissera Zankova – Media 21 Foundation
Mr. Munir Podumljak PSD – Partnership for Social Development & NewsBeez founder
Mr. Andreas Geiss, Head of Unit for Spectrum Policy in DG CONNECT, European Commission (tbc)
Ms. Malika Keswani, Production Manager, BBC World Services
Mr. Harri Paloheimo, CEO CoReorient, former Nokia Green Research Team Leader and Principal Researcher, worked on simulations of NextG radio relay systems; NewsBeez executive team member
Prof. Michel Israel , National Centre for Public Health and Analyses, Ministry of Health of Bulgaria
Ms. Justyna Romanowska, Councillor for telecommunications and information society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland

16:30 GMT – Closing Remarks
The final session will bring conclusions and sum up of discussion by the symposium hosts and speakers.
MODERATOR:
Dr. Lukasz Porwol – eGov deputy leader and Researcher at DSI, Insight, National University of Ireland, Galway, NewsBeez executive team member – COMPACT project coordinator
VOICE OF THE PUBLIC:
Mr. Niall O’Brolchain, Researcher at DSI, Insight, National University of Ireland, Galway (former Irish MP and Mayor of Galway City)
16:45 GMT – Social Event

After the session is concluded, the willing participants will be invited to join “virtual coffee” that will continue beyond the main session. That will be running both via ZOOM and Immersive Virtual Reality platform: Mozilla Hubs.