MECOM, international telecom and IT communications event, is gathering pace as a platform where global telecom players explore the twin market influences of international consolidation and regional liberalization. The event, being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from April 22 to April 25, 2007, is hosting recently merged giants Alacatel-Lucent and Nokia Siemens Networks as well as UK telecommunications provider BT as the telecomm leaders seek to target the region with new products, services and converged technologies.
“As the regional market undergoes a liberalization phase and passes through an exciting time where consumers and providers alike are embracing technological advances, it is heartening to see international technology leaders approach the Middle East market through MECOM, which is consolidating its presence as a unique telecoms platform,” commented Geoff Dickinson, Managing Director, MECOM forum.
Alcatel-Lucent merged in end 2006, unveiling a new ticker symbol and logo to become the world’s largest telecommunications equipment vendor according to revenue estimates. With possibly the world’s largest installed base in DSL, leadership in next-generation (IMS) solutions and a combined depth in routing/switching and global service organization, the telecommunications powerhouse is looking to bring Triple Play/IPTV applications (including TV, Video-on-Demand, communication control, interactive voting, user generated content and media share) to Middle East markets through the MECOM platform.
“MECOM is the first dedicated telecommunication exhibition of such magnitude in the Middle East and we are confident that it will be hugely successful in attracting the right type of organizations and visitors from the industry. Alcatel–Lucent will demonstrate how the company’s solutions and services can help network operators, enterprises and the government sector navigate through a rapidly changing industry landscape. Visitors to the Alcatel-Lucent booth will see that the newly created company is the strategic partner of choice to help operators compete and differentiate in the Middle East’s emerging marketplace, said Vincenzo Nesci, President Alcatel-Lucent Middle East Regional Unit.
Global giant Nokia Siemens Networks, born out of a merger concluded in June 2006, and started operations as the new entity on April 1st, 2007, is also exhibiting at MECOM. The company is one of the market leaders in mobile and fixed infrastructure and services. Nokia Siemens Networks will help its hundreds of customers across the globe meet the challenges of connecting the five billion people that the company believes will be connected and “always on” by 2015.
“At MECOM 2007, Nokia Siemens Networks will present the future of telecommunications networks and mobile data communication. As the Middle East market changes and our customers face complex business challenges, we will also need to change at Nokia Siemens Networks. Bringing the internet and connectivity to the vast majority of people by 2015 will require finding new ways to lower the cost of connections, particularly in the large emerging markets such as the Middle East. As Nokia and Siemens said when announcing the new company on June 19, 2006, we will seek estimated cost synergies in order to build a strong, competitive Nokia Siemens Networks, said Simon Beresford-Wylie, CEO, Nokia Siemens Networks.
MECOM is also hosting BT who is consolidating its presence in the global telecommunication services market. The company has recently announced a strategic agreement with Credit Suisse to provide a broad package of services that will enhance the bank’s operating efficiency as an integrated global bank. In February, BT acquired i2i Enterprise Pvt Ltd, a Mumbai-based enterprise services company specialising in internet protocol communications services for major Indian and global multinational companies. With this acquisition BT will become the biggest foreign global carrier operating in India.
“The Middle East is the most rapidly transforming market in the world at present in terms of liberalisation and privatization resulting in new operators and consortiums bidding for licenses and building Telco companies. MECOM provides a platform for BT to showcase its leadership position in the digital networked economy and highlight its 21C Global Venture, a business unit that will enable the delivery of next-generation networks to communication providers across the globe,” said Olivier Campenon, President, EMEA, BT Global Services
MECOM’s visitor pre-registration programme running online at www.mecomexpo.com, has recorded a broad range of quality visitors from leading regional enterprises. Press pre-registration facilities are also available at the website.
