DUBAI — Connect 2005, the second international telecom summit was inaugurated yesterday at J W Marriott Hotel which will be held till June 1 to facilitate better understanding of the Middle East Telecom market and an excellent platform for interaction between the developed and developing nations.
The inaugural address was delivered by Nasser Bin Obood, deputy chief executive officer of Etisalat, on behalf of the corporation.
Speaking to industry leaders and high-profile delegations from telecom operators across the region at the summit, Bin Obood said: “Etisalat plans to launch new technologies in the near future which will be fully compatible with the existing networks, and the market is tested for demand, so the corporation is understandably confident that the services to come will each attract a strong subscriber base. The most prominent of these are the mobile office, convergence of all technologies offered, and the penetration of broadband to make UAE among the top 10 connected nations in the world by 2008.’’
He also said that Etisalat has made determined efforts to reach out beyond the borders of the UAE to look for new opportunities. After successful entries into Saudi Arabia and Sudan, Etisalat is currently about to enter the markets of Yemen, Pakistan and Turkey as a natural step for the Corporation which has consistently shown a willingness to adopt a competitive mindset, even as a sole national provider.
Etisalat, is a Diamond sponsor of Connect 2005 and it has been organised by IIR Telecoms and Technology.
Yesterday, the key topics discussed included Viable Growth opportunities for mobile operators, the impact of competition and full liberalisation in regional markets, revenue generation by delivering new technologies and applications and many more. According to the organisers, the event features case studies, presentations and specialist workshops, addressing key issues. More than 30 leading international experts will be addressing the summit.