Gian Paolo Balboni received its degree in Physics (summa cum laude) in 1981 from University of Torino.

He has spent 30+ years working in Telecom Italia Group, mostly focussing on R&D and innovative projects.

Since 1995 he has been leading research groups, and along the year has addressed a number of topics: digital switching systems, parallel computing & multiprocessor architectures, VLSI for telecommunications, fast packet switching networks, ATM switching systems, broadband networks, multimedia technologies and services, digital media, open innovation, start-ups.

For ten years he has also served as Professor at “Politecnico di  Torino”, teaching Telecommunications courses.

From 2002 to 2006 he has been involved in the deployment of new digital media services, including DTT, IPTV and mobile TV.

From 2006 on he has been in charge of monitoring the evolution of the ICT industry, from a strategic innovation perspective, to pave the way for the evolution of Telecom Italia’s technologies and services.

He is currently Head of Future Centre for the Strategy&Innovation Direction of Telecom Italia; he tracks techno-economic trends and cross-industry new business opportunities.

Dr. Balboni has a long track record of published papers in the area of parallel computing, VLSI for telecommunications, broadband switching systems, multimedia technologies, digital media, open innovation. He is often requested as speaker in events addressing the area of technological and business innovation.

He is co-author of two books (both in Italian):  “ATM technology for high-speeds networks” (1992) , “DTT and interactive services” (2005).