i2 addresses mobile virtual network concerns at telecoms conference

Organized by SAMENA Telecommunications Council, some 250 participants of the conference will gain from the discussions on various issues ranging from wireless infrastructure, broadband, IPTV and convergence, regional regulatory views and others. Speakers from leading telecommunications companies from South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa will take the opportunity to share insights on the telecommunication sector.

As the largest and most diverse mobile phone provider in the Middle East and Africa, i2's CEO, Mr. Abdul Hameed Al Sunaid, will be addressing the conference on January 22 to discuss issues on mobile virtual network operation (MVNO) such as survival of MVNOs without infrastructure, challenges faced by MVNOs when it offers split operations supporting system (OSS) and business operating system (BSS) and profitability of MVNOs.

MVNOs are resellers of wireless services under their own brand name, using the network of another mobile phone operator or home network operators (HNO). HNO usually allow MVNOs in to their networks so they can tap niche market segments that are difficult for them to reach. Also, MVNOs support the mobile operators' strategies in creating economies of scale for better network utilization. Some successful models of MVNOs are Virgin Mobile in the UK and Helio in the US.

'Beyond Connectivity' is an important undertaking for i2. This is a venue for us to exchange valuable ideas and points-of-view with telecommunications think-tanks about our growing industry. More importantly, this is a venue for i2 to share its vision for the future of the industry in the region and network with its telecommunication partners around the world.' said Jihad El Eit, Vice President for Marketing at i2.

The SAMENA Telecommunications Council aims to provide its advocacy expertise to help aid the incubation of novel approaches and ideas that would provide better means for the expansion and utilization of telecommunications in the region.

'Beyond Connectivity' Exhibition and Conference, of which i2 Group is a silver sponsor, is running from January 21 to 23 at the Godolphin Ballroom of the Emirates Towers Hotel.