Dubai hosts the 11th Annual GSM>3G Middle East and Gulf event

As part of Informa Telecom and Media's GSM>3G World Series, the GSM>3G Middle East and Gulf (MEG) conference and exhibition will bring together representatives of every aspect of the mobile communications industry, including mobile, fixed and satellite operators, vendors, solution and content providers, bankers and government officials. The conference will give executives from every strata of the mobile industry value chain the opportunity to share their experiences and update their knowledge of the latest market developments, technology solutions, advancements and innovations in the industry.

The 11th annual conference will be held amidst a widespread move to adopt 3G technology in the MEG region, as well as the largest ever subscription growth the region has ever seen. From 2002 to 2005, the number of subscribers grew by 15 million, bringing the region's total number of subscribers to 47 million.

"Saudi Arabia now has competing operators for the first time ever," Informa Telecoms and Media's Wireless Strategy Researcher Jordan Stone said. "Iraq's subscribers fairly doubled in number last year. With an industry expanding at this rate, everyone needs to keep abreast of the latest developments."

Stone added that third generation technology—known as "3G"—has become more prevalent throughout the region. "3G allows for better quality voice and enables a new generation of mobile Value Added Services "VAS" to be deployed to users in the Middle East & Gulf," he explained. "That means 3G networks can grow more quickly than ever. There is no doubt that 3G will be a major topic of discussion this year at the conference."

Organized by Informa Telecoms and Media, the leading provider of business intelligence and strategic services to the global telecoms and media markets, the GSM>3G MEG conference is being held at the Dubai International Convention Centre. The conference will provide an unrivalled opportunity for members of the region's mobile communications industry to learn from key industry speakers about critical business and technical strategies. Participants will examine market case studies and enjoy the opportunity to test cutting-edge services, applications and products at the exhibition.

Last year's conference drew telecom executives from 50 different countries, with over 31% of delegates holding board and director level status.

"We saw a remarkable turnout last year, with everyone who is really dedicated to his or her place in the industry attending," said Marketing Director Louisa Rogers. "By now, this conference is an established landmark in the mobile communications industry's yearly planner."

GSM>3G MEG conference and exhibition is sponsored by the world's leading GSM and 3G technology providers, including Cicso, BlackBerry, SymSoft, France Telecom, Motorola, Bercut, Oberthur, Telesoft, eServ Global and Colibria.

"The congress and exhibition are ideal platforms for interaction between the leading network vendors, software developers and operators from outside the Middle East and those within it," Rogers said. "Anyone interested in establishing key partnerships with the region's operators can't afford to miss it."