IGF 2024-Day 0-Workshop Room 10-Event #167 Inclusion of unconnected via resilient local cloud services -- RAW

The following are the outputs of the captioning taken during an IGF intervention. Although it is largely accurate, in some cases it may be incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or transcription errors. It is posted as an aid, but should not be treated as an authoritative record.

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>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: So there are several missing persons, but time.  Time comes.

Can you hear my voice?  And, also, in this room.  Can you hear me?  Can you hear me?  You can hear me?

>> AUDIENCE: Yes.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Can you hear me?  Can you hear me?

I need to hear the presentations online.  Online participants.  I cannot hear.  In that case, you can hear?  I can't hear the online participants' presentations.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: This is for testing.  Can you hear me?

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Hi.  Are you doing this session?  Okay.

Okay.  Shall we start?  My voice is good?  Jeffrey is not here.

Okay.  We will be starting.  Some participants are missing.  So for the participants ...

Hello.  We will start in a few minutes.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Hello, can you hear me?  Hello, Toshikazu Sakano, can you hear me?

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: We are still waiting for... hello, Jeffrey.  He's online.

Okay.  Okay.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Hello, can you hear me?

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Hello.  I'm not sure if they can hear us.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: I cannot hear...  There are no speakers here.  Headset?  Yeah.  Yeah.  A headset.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: The online participants can hear each other.  Jeffrey, you can hear me?

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Yes, I can hear you.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Okay.  That's great.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Hello, Toshikazu Sakano, can you hear us?  Hello?

I think they're just checking the audio set up there.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Okay.  I can hear my own voice.

Then shall we start?  Okay.  It's already 10 minutes past.

So let me start the session.  This session is IGF2024.  The session number is number 167.  The title is Inclusion of Unconnected Via Resilient Local Cloud services.

My name is Toshikazu Sakano from ATR in Japan.  A bit of an overview of this session and our agenda this session and some backgrounds.

So the objective of this session is this.  This session aims to discuss and explore the possibility of local ICT system/service with AI to improve disaster countermeasure, and to bridge unconnected to connected.

The agenda of the session is this.  First of all, I, myself, will present some background and overview of this session.  Maybe in 10 or 15 minutes.  This is followed by challenges and possible solutions to provide network for the unconnected in Africa.  Mrs. Mary UDUMA from Civil Society, Africa.  But I'm not sure if she's joining this session.  Ms. Uduma here in the session?

So if we can confirm the participants.  I will ask her to present something.

And next the role of artificial intelligence in bridging digital divide and fostering uncollusion of unconnected communities from Ms. Sandra Mahannan from artificial intelligence from Uniccon Group of Companies.  I'm not seeing her in this session right now but... is Sandra joining this session?  I'll confirm that.  I will ask her to talk a bit about that.

And next one we'll introduce eXtensible Front line augmented communication exchanger with Dr. Babatunde Ojetunde from ATR Japan.

This is followed by use cases and potential practical deployments of X FACE from Mr. Chandraprakash Sharma of Wisflux, India.

This is followedded by potential use cases of X FACE in Philippines and Asia pacific followed by Jeffrey Llanto.

Next one will be potential use cases in X FACE of Nigeria and Africa.  And Dr. Jimson Olufuye from Kontemporary Konsulting in Nigeria.

After this we'll discuss with the team and the objectives to achieve the objective of this session.

And in 90 minutes later, we're going to close with closing remarks by myself before closing the session.

Okay.  This is the agenda of this session.

Okay.  So before going into the presentations, let me introduce brief background of this session.  And the image I have [?] so this shows the individuals using the internet worldwide from ITU.  In 2024, fully 5.5 billion people are online.  That represents 68% of the world's population compared with 65% just from one year earlier.

But 2.6 billion people, one third of the global population, are still offline.  This is a big issue.  From achieving SDGs.

And next slide.  Okay.  This is the percentage of individuals using the internet in urban and rural areas in 2024.  Also from ITU.  In checking this slide, 83% of urban dwellers are using the internet in 2024, compared with less than half of the rural population.  48%.

So of the 2.6 billion people not using the internet, 1.8 billion live in rural areas.  Against 800 million in urban areas.  So people in rural areas are, especially developing countries, are not connected.  This is an issue we need to tackle using this data from ICT.

This slide shows the percentage of individuals owning a mobile phone and using the internet in 2024.  Looking at this, globally, four out of five individuals 10 years old or older own a mobile phone.  Universal ownership, meaning a penetration rate of over 95% has been reached in high income economies.

This stands in contrast with low income economies, where only 56% of the population aged 10 years and over own a mobile phone.  Looking at the graph, 68% worldwide population are connected to the internet, but 80% own a mobile phone.  Looking at the example, Africa, 38% population is connected to the internet, but 66% of the population have mobile phone.  So mobile phones are not used to connect to the internet.  So this is a hint to bridge the gap between connected and unconnected.

This is another view of the worldwide.  This shows the number of disasters by continent and top 10 countries in 2023.  And looking at this, most disasters happen in the Asia region.  And Americas and Africa and Europe.  And the countries like India, China, Indonesia, Philippines, these countries are, so far, not a lot of disasters.  This is also a big issue worldwide.

To tackle these issues, we have a new concept called X FACE.  The locally assessable cloud system is a portable server system which comprises of compact server, access point, battery and peripheral devices.  LACS deliver local SNS services in any network environment, even in the devastated disaster situation.  X FACE stands for eXtensible front line augmented communication exchanger, is an updated version of LACS, which AI functionality is included to support the first responders in disasters.

So the concept is simple.  We have LACS servers and access points and it runs by battery.  It has social networking functions.  And users use their smartphones to connect and use it for sharing the information and chatting and communication.  These are things the users can do.  So this is the concept of LACS.

And nonterrestrial networks for securing connectivity.  A solution for internet connectivity in nonconnected areas.  This is considered a complimentary relationship with NTS.  Because the NTN networks are usually used for connected to the internet, but LACSes/X FACE    X FACE is a concept considered complimentary relationship to NTNs.  You can mostly use [?] environment for the local communication.

So that is why.  So this is a strategy for quick penetration of "connected" using the X FACE.  In the first step, the distribution of X FACE in an area.  Each X FACE delivers broadband local internet environment.

As you can see on the right hand figure.  In the next step, distributed X FACEs are interconnected with narrow band wireless network.  Coverage area is extended to area wide.  Local communication with broadband and area wide communication with narrow band are possible.

And the third step: At least one X FACE is connected to the internet with, for example, a satellite internet service.  The area is covered by "global internet." So these steps kind of help to accelerate the internet environment.  Especially in developing countries.  This is my thinking.  And I want to discuss this issue in this session.

Okay.  So I hope this session becomes fruitful thanks to the inputs from the wonderful panelists and their ideas and thoughts.

Okay.  This is my presentation.  And let's go into the session.  Is there any [?] okay.  Okay.

[ off microphone ]

 

>> AUDIENCE: Some people are connected to the internet, so we need to have a view with X FACE so the development can...

The second question, what are the keys you consider [?] I see for Asia it's three times of Africa.  And one and a half times [?] what do you mean?

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Okay.  Thank you very much for your question.

Okay.  There are two questions.  One thing is the cost issue of X FACE.  So, actually, X FACE we developed Locally Accessible Cloud Services.  This is a portable stand alone social networking service.  And we are establishing the supply chain.  And the price right now is 8,000.  That is the kind of image we have.

[ Off microphone ]

 

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Could you say that again?

>> AUDIENCE: Yeah.

[ Off microphone ]

 

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: So I said 8,000.  This is a first phase.  Then the costs will decrease.  Right?  So we are now in the first phase.  So, of course, the price itself is a little bit expensive.  But once we start distributing, the costs will dramatically reduce.  And that will accelerate the distribution.  So that is one thing.

And second question was, the distribution worldwide.

[ Off microphone ]

 

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: I should... this is not working.  Maybe 5 to 10 kinds of disasters are included in that.  So in these disasters around the world, it helps.  In most disaster situations, the internet cannot be used.  Okay.

Okay.  Thank you very much.

[ Off microphone ]

 

>> AUDIENCE: Can you hear me?  Okay so my question is    X FACE, do you have to use it only when in a disaster or it can work without a disaster case?

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Okay.  Thank you very much for the question.

And in the past, after my presentation... so after the presentation.  So sometimes they're talking about the use cases in disaster situations.

Excuse me, are you a participant?  Okay.

[ Off microphone ]

 

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Okay.  I see.  And Ms. Mary Uduma in this session?

So we'll to the next.  And the next presenter is Dr. Babatunde Ojetunde from ATR Japan.  Going to talk about X FACE.

>> BABATUNDE OJETUNDE: Yes.  Thank you.  Can you hear me?

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Yeah.  I hope so!  So I need to ask the person...

>> AUDIENCE: Yeah.  It's fine.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Okay.

We'll go to the next presentation.  Yeah.  Babatunde.  This presentation finished.

This one.

>>  TECH: The second one?

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Yeah.

Okay.

>> BABATUNDE OJETUNDE: Okay, thank you, Dr. Sakano.  My name is Babatunde Ojetunde from ATR.

Today I'll be talking about the introduction of X FACE.  So, first, I will talk about the challenges of digital divide in the world.

And then I will talk about the concept of the system that we have interfused, and show some of the use cases in terms of our view.

Then I'll go into collaboration efforts worldwide.  So as presented by Dr. Sakano, limited access to digital services and the absence of reliable internet infrastructure.  There are challenges in terms of educational purposes, health care services, and economic growth.  Also, there are limited access.  So these are the issues that we tried to address.

Okay.  So in 2018, which, of course, the Locally Accessible Cloud Services, LACS, this decentralized cloud infrastructure.  So it's used for education and so on.

So I will move to the next slide.  So what are some of the    or what is LACS?  It is essential services system that remain cloud like services that are essential for areas that does not have internet connection.  It can also be used provide cloud services to communities through decentralized infrastructure.

So this is the type of LACS, as you can see.  We have a Wi fi access point, a battery, a network hub, it has a case you can use for your mobile phone or tablet.  Also, it has a case so you can move it around.  So this is a prototype of a LACS system.

Next we'll talk about X FACE.  This is addressing other issues.  We introduced these to be able to include alternatives.  This can allow people to operate it hands free without having to type.  So speech.  So X FACE is advanced functions.  Including special case.  This is adaptable to meet various local needs and contexts effectively.

As you can see in the picture [?]

So what are the key features?  X FACE consists of a portable core.  This is the access point and the other systems we integrated into the box.  And user devices like smartphones, tablet terminal, and wearable devices can be used.  As you can see on this slide.  We have smartphones, wearable devices, and tablets.  It can be used with X FACE.  And it also has AI based information processing which we built into the X FACE.  And it also has other systems that can connect to this.  So that's the architecture of X FACE.

Yeah.  So now here is an image of X FACE it has a solar panel.  So we can move it around.  So it functions like a local server and you can act as a minicloud hubs for data processing.  Also, it has an extendable area with communication device up to 1 kilometre or more by applying long range LPWA such as LoRA and Wi fi XHalow.

Also, it has local speech recognition technology.  What this means, we have to connect to the internet to be able to use the speech recognition.  So it can process your speech.  And, again, there are probabilities [?] it functions efficiently.

So what are the other features?  It can also support seamless integration with existing local infrastructure.  It can secure local storage to ensure critical information for readily available when needed.  And it uses the software and the interface that allow people to be able to use the software that processes the information easily.  And, also, the integrated Learning Management System enables continuous education.

So what are the AI driven features?  There is Natural Language Processing supporting multiple languages.  And, also, it has an advanced image analysis capabilities that support various community services where needed.  It also uses Geographic Information System to show where people are.  And it has computer vision applications automate damages from images.

So how do we use X FACE from LACS to bridge the digital divide?  One way is to use it for education.  For example, in an rural area where there is no connection, you can implement LACS and use it so students can have access to education services and they can participate in remote learning through the local cloud.  The Learning Management System can enable continuous education in remote areas.  And it can ensure that digital literacy programmes can empower communities where essential skills are needed.  So this is an image of the architecture of the LACS we have done in the past using Learning Management System that allows students to be able to learn remotely.  This could be expanded when we talk about use cases in Philippines.

So, also, we can use it to bridge the digital divide like providing a community network.  So in rural areas where there is no internet, we can use this to bring networks.  So by connecting one LACS to another and another to another, it can creates a community where people can communicate using this kind of system.  And they can use a network prototype to achieve this.  So communities gain access to digital skills training and employment opportunities through the platform.  And so you can do telemedicine.  And you can talk to people about their health conditions and so on.  So local content creation and sharing can foster cultural preservation and community engagement.

So LACS can be used for offers assessable digital services like e mail, web browsing, and E government functionalities.  They can post information.  And that can be transcribed to the local level.

So how can we use this for bridging digital divide for enhancing community resilience?  So for these local disasters happen in the area.  So LACS can be used to provide some services so that people can have access to information during that period.  So it's essential communication can be made in these areas that are affected by disasters using X FACE and LACS together.  This will also provide alternative emergency management systems.  And it can allow first responders to coordinate their activities during crisis situations.

Also, it ensures that critical information can be provided through emergencies.  Also telemedicine services can be provided.  It can also be used.

So the last slide is Disaster Preparedness.  This is when we use X FACE in disaster, we have an image in X FACE.  We can project that [?] to identify.

So we'll talk about our global impact effort.  Through 2012 we standardized LACS and we are standardizing X FACE so it can offer worldwide.

Use case in the Philippines.  This would be when we are talking about the use case in the Philippines.  And we have the LACS and X FACE into Africa.  So Nigeria and talking about how we can use LACS to bridge the digital divide and connect people in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

So future road map and collaboration.  So we are continuing to research to integrate emerging technologies like X FACE and LACS.  And internet partnerships are being formed to scale the solution globally.  So partnership opportunities with NGOs, government agencies, and private sectors are encouraged.  These are some of our partners, as of now.  So we are open to collaboration.  These are our partners from around the world.

Thank you.  So that's my presentation.  Thank you.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Okay.  Thank you very much, Dr. Babatunde Ojetunde.

So our presentation realistic use cases.  So we will go to the next panelist.  And that presentation and then the discussion session, okay.

So we'll go to the next panelist.

The next panelist is... okay.  The next presentation is from Use Cases And potential Deployments of X FACE.  Could you start the presentation.  Okay.  Could you start sharing the slides?  Yeah.

And the panelists will share their slides as they start their presentation.

So he will present his... yeah.  Yes.  Speak and also share the slides.  Chandraprakash Sharma.

So can you share the slides, Chandraprakash, by yourself?

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Yes.  Hello everyone.

And good morning.  So I'm Chandraprakash Sharma, CEO of Wisflux in India.  A company working in digital solutions and also a participant in this project.  Being lead by Dr. Sakano.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Is it possible for you to share the slides?

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Yes.  I'm working on it.

Okay.  Please let me know if you can see my slides.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: He's sharing his slides.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Okay.  Can you... can you see my slides?  Jeffrey, can you confirm?  I think we cannot hear confirmation.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: I can see your slides.  Yes, I can.  I can see his slide and also hear.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Okay.  Wonderful.

Thank you, again.  I think Dr. Sakano is still trying to...

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: You are muted, Chandraprakash.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: No.  I think they are trying to... can you hear us?

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Oh.  Okay.  So sharing the slide?  No, no.  His slide?

[ Off microphone ]

 

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Yes.  So... can you see my slides?

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: He has the slides?

Yes, do you share the slides by yourself?

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Yes.  I'm sharing.  Can you hear me?

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Yes, I can see Chandraprakash's slides.  Yes.  I can hear.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: He's sharing his slides.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Yes.  I can see it on the screen right now online.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: He is sharing the slide.

>> TECH: We are waiting.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: You are sharing the slide, right?

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Yes.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Yes.  He's sharing his slide.  We can see it.

[ Off microphone ]

 

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Session time.

[ Off microphone ]

 

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Can you hear me?

>>  TECH: Show the slides from your side.  Want to show your slides on your side.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: I think we should just go ahead with the session.  The audio is not reaching to the session room there.  The online participants can hear.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Yes.  We can hear you and see your presentation.  I think the problem is local.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Yeah.  I can see that some of the participants are there in the room.  So I'm not sure if the audio will actually reach them.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Okay.  Okay.  Cp, can you hear me?

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Yes.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: So the    the system is a bit trouble.  So we will go into the next presentation by Jeffrey.  And during his presentation, problem will be fixed.

So, CP, please do your presentation after Jeffrey.  Is it okay?

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Okay.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Okay.  Thank you very much.

And, Jeffrey.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Yes, can you hear me?

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: So we will show your presentation slide.  So please start your presentation.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Well, I'm sharing my presentation or?

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Jeffrey's presentation is shared.  And slide is changed by the venue.  So, Jeffrey, in your presentation please say "next slide, please." Is it okay?

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Yes.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Can you hear me, Jeffrey?

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Yes, I can hear you.  Can you hear me?

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Okay.  So please start your presentation.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Okay.  So from the Philippines, I would like to wish everybody a good afternoon.  And I hope everything is doing well there in IGF2024 in Saudi Arabia.

My presentation today is Building Resilient Communities through IT Enabled Communications.  Use cases of X FACE project in the Philippines.  I'm Jeffrey Llanto based here in the Philippines.  Next slide, please.

So just to give a short note CVis Net foundation is an organization that started as a project of the government way back in 1990s.  To provide image of internet connection to the entire country.  I was working with the government before with the Department of Finance and Technology, and we provided the first internet connection to the government, the academia, and the private sector.  And became an internet service provider.  So CVI SNET is empowering companies.  We have 35 years of experience in partnership with the government.  And, also, our partners from India and Chandraprakash and Dr. Sakano from Japan.

Next slide.  So we have local and international partners.  These are what we're working together with.  We have here the other partners we have around the world.  Can we move to the next slide.

Next slide, please.  Can we move to the next slide, please, Dr. Toshikazu Sakano.  I think it's not moving.

Okay.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: One moment, Jeffrey.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Okay.

>>  TECH: I think they're working on this slide again.  Sorry about that.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Okay.

>>  TECH: Thank you.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Now the slide is showing.  Now maybe you can try to change now.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Okay.  Can we go to the next slide, please.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: It doesn't seem to work.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: The slide is showing online but it's on the projector.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Okay.  So it's not moving.  Can we go to the next slide.  The one after that.  Next.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: I think they're still working on the set up.

We may need to add a new track in IGF for fixing the presentations.  Online presentations.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Can you try to change the slide from your side, Jeffrey.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: What was that?

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Jeffrey, can you change the slide from your side?

>>  TECH: Are you sharing the slide?

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Yes.  I'm sharing it right now.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Yes.  So you can present now.  We have seeing it now!

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Okay.

So can you see my slide?

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Yes.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Yes.  I can see here.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Yes.  We can see it here, too.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: I'm sharing my slide now.  Let me please continue.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Okay.

>> JEFFREY LLANTO: Going back it's a project in the Philippines.  It's a self sustaining foundation that works closely with international organizations like ATR and other organizations.

So next are the challenges we experienced here in the Philippines.  Especially during the disaster time.  What we have is that island communities, which the Philippines have around 7,200 islands in our country.  It is very vulnerable to disasters.  Especially by phones.  Island school have limited or no internet access.  The promotion of ecotourism and other items are... we have unreliable internet on the isolated islands.

Let me share some of the activities that we have been working with different organizations like NTT and ATR.  So during the time frame of 2011 through our present year right now, we've been working with Japan on research and development effort.  To note, everything started with disaster, sad to note.  But we are learning several things on research and development.  So even started during 2011, the earthquake, and also with the 2013 typhoon.  We conducted several research and development activities with Japan, which is the movable and deployable resource unit.  In 2014 to 2017, we had locally assessable cloud system.  2019 to 2023, and right now extended project X FACE.  So the project was launched in response to the devastating disasters that struck Japan and Philippines.

So next just a timeline again.  These are the different activities and different use cases based on the event and, also, the technology that has been initiated and researched and developed and conducted by our partners from the National Telecommunications Union from the projects.  In cooperation with different partners like ATR, Wisflux, and the Department of Science And Technology.  It started in 2019.  In 2020, we have the testing and propagation.  And then what happened here during this time in 2020, 2021, and 2022, there was the Pandemic.  And we didn't forecast things to happen in that way.  What we did on real time scenarios like e learning and the e health system were designated to the system.  It was during real time scenarios during the Pandemic.

To give you some overview of the location of the project, it's real time but we're doing it right now.  Meaning we have real scenarios on this one.  It's located in the central part of the Philippines.  If you notice on the left side, that's the location.  On the right side, the map that you can see, there are several islands.  What we did was to have the connection on the mainland, which is the left side, the municipality of Cebu.  In which we have the main point of the internet.  The project then pushed the internet connection to another island.  The three islands, these are the isolated islands.  Isolated meaning they don't have internet connection, they don't have electricity.  They have limited resources of water itself.  So what we did is the project that we had has been tested on these three islands.  In an area, more or less, around 10 to 15 kilometre from each other.

The execution of the feasibility in Cebu has different categories.  Like e education, as mentioned earlier.  During the Pandemic, it was a very good use case for us to consider e education.  It was not part of the plan to include it on the Locally Assessable Cloud Systems, but when we took notice that there was a need, which surfaced during the time of the pandemic, in which students could not go out of their own houses or even their communities.  They relied on using their smartphones, or using their own laptop computers or tablets.  So part of it was then developed by ATR together with Wisflux to create a system for e education.  The learnings could be used for a basis for the next project, which is the X FACE.  So most of the use cases we conducted before will still be implemented on the next research and development.  So these are some pictures we have conducted.  So on the left side, we can never introduce technology to an isolated community, personal community interaction or social responsibilities.  So you conduct social preparation to the communities.  The next is establish the infrastructure.  You can notice on the left side, we established the wireless connection.  Then Dr. Sakano, in this picture together with the front liners, the ones in orange, have been trained using the system below.  On the right side, you will also notice this is a very remote area that we have to traverse and small boats to go to the communities.

On the bottom right, this is the team that we instructed the faculties of the school, the principal in how to set it up during emergency.  Because we want the system to be self operated and self maintained by the locals themselves.

If you notice on the slide, there is limited electricity, we have to run    rely on solar power generation for this one in the islands.  So we used to use point to point connection.  Last year, we were able to have an internet using the starting connections.

So the disaster risk reduction management solutions that we can partner with.  So the partner organizations on the top, of course, is Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute along with Wisflux.  And we have partnership with unconnected to provide low orbit internet connection.  Lastly, we just signed a partnership together with the Japan industrial association development for growth.  So we are now looking at the possibility in using drones for the projects that we are going to implement by next year.  So the project, again, this is the frontline operation system.  Which is the X FACE.  The government, they have the Disaster Information System for Communities.  And unconnected.org, is the Connectivity to the Underserved Communities.  And the Drone Training Centre And certification.

In conclusion, as long as disaster also surfaces as a part of changes to humans.  Research and development will also go side by side with it.  We cannot afford to let go of things, as long as there is still a big problem that we need to address.  So it started in 2011 during the disasters in Japan and Philippines.  So we conducted several projects in 2014, MDRU, LACS, ISLET, and X FACE.  And hopefully future use cases will be conducted after we end X FACE in 2028.  Here we have real time data and scenarios driven research and development will lead to more innovative products and services that addresses the challenges of resilient communication.

So this ends my presentation.  Thank you very much.  And I would like to hand it off.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Thank you.  Time is running.  We have onsite participants.  But, Jeffrey,... but he needs to join another session at 11:00 a.m., right?

So, CP, I'm sorry.  Slides will be shown by the system.  Just wait a minute.

>> BABATUNDE OJETUNDE: Hello.  Good morning.

Welcome, again, to this session.  I'll be presenting on the Extensionble Front line, X FACE.  The potential use cases in Africa.  And in Nigeria, in particular.  I want to especially appreciate Dr. Sakano for this programme.  And, also, appreciating Jeffrey for that wonderful presentation.  In fact, maybe, if I close now, I think it'll be okay.  Because how you illustrated, captured what I wanted to talk about.

So I also want to appreciate CP.  Thank you for your patience.

Okay.  Now the X FACE is a bit of innovation, as pointed out by Jeffrey in that presentation.  It has similar applications in Africa.  In Nigeria, in particular.  So two areas.  Number one, disaster management for meaningful connectivity in areas.

Now based on 2022 and 2023 reports by the National Bureau of Statistics and the National Management Agency, and the United Nations Development Programme, flooding is the most commonly occurring disaster in Nigeria.  Like I press too hard.  I need to go back.

So the floods affect the livelihoods businesses, housing, security, education, and health in Nigeria.  Yeah.  Next, please.

So X FACE can be used in the known disaster areas for frontlines.  So territories can take charge.  At the national, local, and state level can take charge of disaster management.  With X FACE, onsite information can be collected for analysis.  It can enable information sharing and the documentation of the experiences for improved risk mitigation strategies.  Next please.

I believe this diagram was shown earlier.  This is the schematic of the X FACE.  To the left    I'll see if this can illustrate better.  I want to see if I can grab my pointer.  So to the left, you have the frontline responders.  The disaster area.  They have a tablet.  And with these devices, they can use it to capture the events.  The exact situation that happened.  And it will flow to the X FACE.  The X FACE is the main agent.  And then the information would be captured photographically.  And objects can be analysed, can be identified based on data that has been captured before.  And, as such, it interfaces with the cloud.  It interfaces with the cloud.  And so we have a kind of intelligence system that accumulates data over time.  So this ensures that we retain memory.  Proper analysis of what happened over years so we can learn better.  Next slide, please.

Now this is the full architecture.

[ Audio going in and out ]

We have the smartphone and the tablet.  And you can also use the smartphone.  And the information will go into the server system, and with AI processing capacity.  So it can also connect the X FACE.  And it also interfaces with the cloud system.  So which is a data base that has cumulative memory of the activities that happened.  It can help with recognising faces.  It can help with recognising areas and victims.  Next slide, please.

Okay.  So that is for disaster.  It can also be used for disaster management.  Now [?] which lines up with the objective opportunity.  Just like Jeffrey mentioned earlier.  X FACE helps with meaningful connectivity in other sub areas.  It means that Nigeria is unconnected in many underserved areas.  In this scenario, X FACE can be deployed.  Okay.  So there's a gap.  So X FACE can help bridge the digital divide.  Indeed.  Next slide, please.

And so you can enable shared internet connectivity in underserved areas.  You can provide a platform for community information sharing.  Provide a learning portal for inclusive learning in the concerned areas.  This is relevant for targeted e learning programmes.  So no one is left behind.

Okay.  Next.  So X FACE has the potential to change the narrative, you know, with regard to disasters.  Generally in Nigeria and by extension Africa.  Even around internally Displaced Persons in underserved areas with meaningful connectivity to the internet for communication and e learning.

So that is briefly about the potential use for X FACE in Nigeria and Africa, generally.  Thank you very much for listening!  Thank you, Cp, for giving me the opportunity.  Thank you, Dr. Sakano.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Thank you.  Thank you for your time.

Okay.  So time is running.  And last presentation by Chandraprakash Sharma of Wisflux.

So okay.  I need to talk to the staff.

So Chandraprakash, can you present by sharing the slide by yourself?

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Yes.  I have started sharing my slides.  Please confirm if you can see.

[ Off microphone ]

 

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Okay.  Just a second.  The room is not... so now online.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Okay.  Cp, we are very, very sorry.  The next session will start at 11: 15, five minutes from now.

So we will need to    we need to wrap up this session.

>> CHANDRAPRAKASH SHARMA: Okay.

>> TOSHIKAZU SAKANO: Sorry for the trouble.

So please forgive me.

I need to wrap up this session because of the time.  So next session we're starting in a few minutes.

So in this session, we are discussing presentations the potential of systems.  And bridge the gap between connected and unconnected.  But work is going on.  We have networks here.  And we have several participants.  So we will extend the network through this session.

But the time is up.  So thank you very much for your participation.  And I'm sorry that my time management.

So now session is closed.  And the people on set, please discuss after this session with me!  Okay.  Okay.  So thank you very much everybody.  This session is closed.  Thank you very much.