Mecom rings off on high note

"Although mobile revenues will continue to grow, according to feedback at the show, industry professionals were extremely upbeat about the prospects for mobile value-add services such as broadband and bundled packages which combine TV, internet and telephone. The FIFA World Cup in South Africa for example is currently driving more consumer awareness of this,"

said Jim Meltz, Group Director of IIR Middle East, the organiser of Mecom.

According to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), in 2009 internet subscribers rose by 17% but more significantly, revenues increased by 46%, a clear indication of the demand for broadband and other mobile applications. This is driving investment, which last year totalled Dhs9.54bn and brings the total over the last three years to over Dhs25bn.

Supporting that optimism, Mecom 2010 which was held recently at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Mecom attracted more than 3,800 trade visitors - a six per cent rise on 2009. A total of 31 countries were represented at the event, which was held under the patronage of H.E. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy. More than 100 companies took part in Mecom, which is now in its fourth year.

ICT partner Etisalat reported Mecom had been a "roaring success", following a large number of visitors to its stand. It was a sentiment echoed by many exhibitors, including Mahaboob Basha from UAE-based Blue Dot.

"Mecom 2010 was a great success in our quest to meet many potential clients and get our name out the Middle Eastern markets. Our range of partners and solutions was well received by the high quality crowds at the show and we expect many new business relationships to flower from the show. Blue Dot will certainly be looking at participating on a bigger scale in 2011," Basha said.

Masoud Bassiri from Consistel, a Singapore-based global wireless software solutions provider and system integrator said, "The event has proved to be an excellent networking platform for organisations like us looking to gain insights, develop contacts and to do business in the region. We received a good response and publicity at the event."

A number of companies exhibited for the first time, including UAE-based Quickinfa. Sanjay U Kavalekar said, "The exhibition has been very successful for us and we will definitely come back next year. We have made some good contacts and had some serious inquires."

Meanwhile, the CEO Summit was particularly well represented with 276 delegates - twice the number of last year's event, featuring 35-plus speakers from the region's fixed and mobile operators, internet services providers, regulators and suppliers.