Fastlink and Motorola sponsor Telecom and Media Third Convergence Conference

"Service providers need to concentrate their efforts in order to offer an array of high-tech added value services that meet the varying needs of subscribers." he said.

Sponsored by Fastlink, one of MTC Group companies, and Motorola, which Fastlink considers a key technology supplier, the conference is organized by Arab Advisors Group and will be conducted between May 6 and 7. Both companies will also showcase their new services for participants and Motorola will also present its forthcoming range of mobile devices.

"Sponsoring this event reiterates the importance of the mobile telecommunication industry and its strong impact on all sectors and particularly the media," Mr. Nasir said. Speaking about the sector's developments in the Arab World, he said that the company is looking forward to exchange expertise and opportunities.

Mr. Nasir said the world is witnessing new developments and that several Arab countries have opened up their markers for competition given that this sector is vital. Not only the mobile phone is used as a mean of communication, but also it has become a media and entertainment tool and a small portable computer.

Motorola has developed major alliances with Fastlink and also with MTC Group, having worked hand in hand with MTC to support their growth in the region and leadership in Jordan and elsewhere. Throughout their relationship, which spans more than 12 years, Motorola has supported MTC and Fastlink in achieving a range of regional landmarks. Fastlink has deployed Motorola's solution to launch the first GPRS network in Jordan and MTC deployed one of the first EDGE service platforms in Kuwait using Motorola technology.

"Consumers in Jordan and around the wider Middle East are looking for value- added services, and the Arab Advisors event creates a platform to highlight for decision-makers how Motorola is working with operators such as Fastlink and the MTC Group to deliver the future of mobile voice and data services,"

commented Ali Amer, senior director sales, Motorola Networks, Middle East North Africa and Pakistan (MENAPAK.)

Many telecommunication and media experts are taking part in the two-day conference to discuss ways that lead to media and telecom convergence against a backdrop of liberalizing the sector in several markets.

Studies forecast that the mobile phone entertainment industry is expected to reach 40 billion dollars annually. This figure is not exaggerated as there are nearly two billion mobile phones in the world. The number of telecom mobile users worldwide will be equal to those who use the wireless phone in 2008, which is nearly three billion.

The conference tackles several issues such as wide-range telecommunication, market liberalization, competition, monopoly, internet and internet calls, media content, TV transmission via mobile, business methods, three dimension solutions, telecom market regulations, media, Arab satellite channels, data services, and future strategies pertaining to telecom operators in addition to others.

Fastlink has launched an array of new services that are considered the first in the Kingdom that are based on EDGE Technologies. They were considered a qualitative leap in the mobile phone industry. These include Live Video Streaming service which provides live broadcast to several satellite channels. Fastlink also provides news services that have lured a large number of users such as CNN breaking news service, Al Jazeera news SMS & MMS service, and news from the wires. Such services seek to update Fastlink users and provide them with multiple news sources against a backdrop of increasing demand on local mobile phones.