A speech by the Honourable Ed Vaizey MP, Minister of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS), will be delivered via video in Derby next week (11, 12 November).

The Minister’s pre-recorded presentation is leading a strong line-up of speakers at NextGen 14, which alongside the DCMS, will feature global calibre companies and organisations involved with the delivery of next generation digital networks. From as far afield as the United States and Scandinavia, the agenda includes the European Commission, Cisco, Open Reach, ITS, Keymile, the Digital Policy Alliance and the DVLA among many others.

The event is the UK’s premier platform for knowledge transfer about digital access network investment, developments and management and has run annually for the last seven years. This year it is to be held in Derby’s historic Silk Mill - the site of the first factory in the world.

The Minister, who only this week announced three local Digital Catapult schemes in Sunderland, Brighton and Bradford, will be talking about the steps the government is taking to ensure the UK has a digital plan fit for the future.

Marit Hendriks, Director of NG Events Ltd, said: “I think it is fitting that we should be discussing the country’s future digital direction here in Derby at the site of the world’s first ever factory. This is the site of the beginnings of the industrial revolution and we are hoping to kick-start a digital revolution of our own in the very same building.”

NextGen 2014 will focus on topics including digital communities, smarter cities, connectivity and enterprise growth as well as 5G, open data, privacy and municipal enterprise.

The conference will also hold a special presentation ceremony to reveal the winners of the Next Generation Digital Challenge Awards 2014, showcasing the best in next generation digital access infrastructure and innovative projects in the UK.

NextGen 14, run by NG Events Ltd and this year hosted by Derby City Council, will be free to enter. To find out more about attending please visit the website: http://www.nextgenevents.co.uk/events/nextgen-14-conference.