Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has launched a new dedicated exhibition aimed exclusively at the telecommunications sector – GULFCOMMS 2006 – to run in parallel with the region’s largest technology exhibition, GITEX.
GULFCOMMS, to be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) from 18-22 November 2006, aims to bring together some of the world’s largest and most innovative companies in the telecommunications sector, including operators and specialists in mobile communications, network development, satellite applications, IP technology and infrastructure solutions.
Organisers are confident that this trade-only focused exhibition will provide the most sought after business networking platform for the global telecommunications industry, particularly given the high levels of interest in the potential of the Middle East market. New figures from research group Arab Advisors suggest that regional telecom operators served 85 million cellular subscribers and 30 million mainlines in 2005, in a market that continues to expand rapidly through ongoing liberalisation and technological innovation.
“The Middle East’s telecommunications sector has perhaps the most potential for growth of any market in the world, so there has been strong demand for an industry event which can provide a professional platform for business development for international companies within the Middle East,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, DWTC.
“GULFCOMMS will bring many of the world’s dominant telecoms companies together in Dubai for a milestone industry event, supported by DWTC’s robust experience in organising world class events like GITEX,” he added.
This strategic positioning of GULFCOMMS alongside GITEX will enable exhibitors to benefit from the strong international reputation and interest generated by its sister exhibition GITEX, which attracted over 100,000 trade visitors to its sold-out silver anniversary show in 2005.
It will also reinforce the core message of “digital convergence,” which sees technology and telecommunications interlink more closely to bring strong advantages for companies and consumers.
To accommodate the already high demand to participate in GULFCOMMS, the exhibition will be among the first to be staged in the new Zabeel Hall, the 15,000 square metres exhibition space currently being constructed at DICEC.
Dedicated areas will highlight a range of new and developmental technologies, including mobile and fixed networks, infrastructure solutions, 3G and Voice over Internet Protocol (VOiP) solutions.
Industry response to GULFCOMMS is already overwhelming, with a waiting list for space and support from the UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) endorsing the event.
“GULFCOMMS presents TRA with a targeted platform to network with other operators and regulators from around the region, as well as the opportunity to touch base with some of the leading major suppliers from around the world. As the guardian of UAE telecom sector, we see this event to be a positive stimulant for this core sector of the economy,” said H.E. Mohamed Al-Ghanim, TRA Director General.
“TRA has plans to put UAE in the forefront in field of Communications and Information Technologies (CIT). Therefore this exhibition will come as a venue for the exchange of many areas of interest for research and development in this vital sector,” he added.
Other giants in the industry have already committed their support for the exhibition, including etisalat, du and Nokia.
“etisalat is aggressively expanding investments and operations within the Middle East and Africa and GULFCOMMS is seen as a key event for us. The exhibition is a great opportunity for us to meet up with key decision makers from across the region and beyond, to share common ideas with them and be able to better understand future challenges, trends and customer-centric services that can add value to the telecom experience”, said Essa Al Haddad, Chief Marketing Officer, etisalat.
“Because the regional telecom sector is witnessing steady growth rates, comparable to the world's highest figures, the opening of many markets for competition and commitment of operators to launch the most state-of-the-art telecom solutions, the need for a high profile specialised event like GULFCOMMS is keenly felt. We are excited to have this event held alongside GITEX, the region's flagship IT event,” Al Haddad added.
The UAE’s second telecom, Internet and cable-TV services provider, du, also welcomed the launch of GULFCOMMS, explaining it felt the event injected greater choice and industry contact into the market.
Osman Sultan, CEO, du, said: “The telecom sector in the region is burgeoning and needs an appropriate forum for the industry to showcase itself. This is in line with du’s commitment to making the customer experience a better one, by allowing them greater accessibility to the latest developments in the field locally and globally.”
“GULFCOMMS is a surefire winner, which adds further value to a leading international event like GITEX. We foresee GULFCOMMS growing in tandem with the telecom industry and look forward to being a part of its launch in Dubai, promising visitors a unique experience at the du stand,” Sultan added. “This is a very special period for us as well. The launch of our mobile services to the public is a landmark event, since it marks the beginning of the journey of providing choice in the telecom sector.”
For industry giant Nokia, which has business divisions specialising in mobile phones, multimedia and games, enterprise solutions and networks, the partnering of GULFCOMMS and GITEX provides an important industry milestone.
“As the global leader in mobile communications, Nokia is glad to witness the birth of a telecoms-targeted exhibition – GULFCOMMS – at a very exciting time for the industry; and to team such an exhibition up with GITEX is just the icing on the cake! GITEX has always been one of the key exhibitions in the Middle East and we have been actively hoping for the telecoms ingredient to be part of this great event. We regard GULFCOMMS and GITEX as very important events for us to support and, reflecting our ongoing commitment to the Middle East and Africa area, we are delighted to be part of it this year,” commented Dr. Walid Moneimne, Senior Vice President, Central Europe Middle East and Africa, Networks, Nokia.
GULFCOMMS will also offer visitors and exhibitors the opportunity to attend a high level industry Conference, which will examine the full range of issues and opportunities facing operators, regulators and telecommunications companies in the Middle East.
With a range of noted industry figures and specialists invited from around the world, the event will provide an important benchmarking and networking opportunity for communications professionals.
In addition, with access to GITEX included for GULFCOMMS visitors – and the opportunity to see the latest products and services from major IT companies from around the world, organisers are confident that this “one-stop shop” for decision-makers will prove a major international attraction.
GULFCOMMS in conjunction with GITEX takes place on the 18-22 November 2006 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai, UAE.
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
