SAMENA’S ‘Convergence to Jordan’ to be held in November 2008
SAMENA Telecommunications Council, the non-profit telecommunications association that aims to promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing across 25 countries in the region, has announced their flagship summit ‘Convergence to Jordan 2008’ which will be held on November 3rd & 4th at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar in the Dead Sea. The summit will bring together key decision makers and imposing personalities from the telecom industry including Dr. Kamal Shehadi, Chairman & CEO of TRA Lebanon, Dr. Mohammed Al Wohaibi, CEO of Omantel, Mr. Mickael Ghossein, CEO Jordan Telecom Group, Mr. Alex Shalaby, CEO MobiNil, Mr. Ross Cormack, CEO Nawras and Mr. Marwan Zawayde, CEO and Board Director, Warid Telecom Pakistan, among others.
Commenting on the enormous opportunities that exist in the relatively new but rapidly evolving SAMENA telecom industry, which is experiencing a revolution in terms of large FDI investment activities involving consolidation, merger and acquisition activities Thomas Wilson, Executive Managing Director and Founder, SAMENA Telecommunications Council says, “The phenomenal growth pace of the telecom industry is likely to ensure a number of challenges and hence through ‘Convergence to Jordan 2008’ we aim to share knowledge, industry innovations, insights and experiences between our regional members thereby promoting collaboration and facilitating expansion and better utilization of telecommunications in the region.”
Adding to the excitement building-up to the event Thomas Wilson stated, “The first ever ‘SAMENA Telecom Awards’ will also be announced in conjunction with the Convergence Summit to honour the leading telecom companies and representatives in recognition of their contribution to the SAMENA telecoms industry.”
The SAMENA Telecom Awards 2008 will include two main award categories which are further divided into 8 sub-categories of awards.
• Pioneer Award – The Pioneer Awards will be presented to the most trendsetting operator and regulator in the SAMENA Region and includes awards for
1. Most Innovative Operator
2. Most Innovative Regulator
• Architect Award – The Architect Awards will be presented to those who have introduced and implemented new technologies enhancing performance
1. Best Enterprise Solution Application
2. Best Fixed Broadband Operator – Gpon, FTTx
3. Best Fixed 3G, 4G, Wireless Broadband – WiMax, HSDPA, UMTS,LTE
4. Best FMC "Convergence" Operator
5. Best Fixed Line Operator
6. Best Mobile Line Operator
“As the region’s premiere telecommunications umbrella organisation we strive to continuously provide expertise and guidance, promote telecom innovations and facilitate networking opportunities between our esteemed member companies to trigger dialogue and assist them in making informed decisions beneficial to the telecom environment”, added Wilson.
The much awaited tri-regional annual event will bring together the key decision makers, industry experts and experienced professionals onto a common platform to discuss growth opportunities and future trends and also to address the various issues and challenges impeding the SAMENA telecom industry. The business environment has been hugely impacted by the privatization and de-regulation of markets thereby providing new service opportunities and with it new challenges. The two-day event will include various discussion forums, networking sessions, technical workshops and presentations providing numerous opportunities to discuss business matters, growth prospects as well as prospective cross-learning.
One of the most anticipated events by the telecoms community, ‘Convergence to Jordan 2008’ will see participation by various telecom entities such as operators, regulators, vendors, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, educators, consultants and R&D experts and will be supported by Orange (previously Jordan Telecom group) and Teralight Ltd. as the diamond and gold sponsors respectively.
About SAMENA
SAMENA Telecommunications Council is a tri-regional, non-profit telecommunications association that embodies a community of South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African telecoms operators, manufacturers, regulatory authorities, and academia. SAMENA aims to be the ultimate promoter of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in the SAMENA region that spans 25 countries, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
The Council is driven by telecoms issues that operators in South Asia, the Middle East, and in North Africa face, and is determined in providing its advocacy expertise to help aid the incubation of novel approaches and ideas that would provide better means for the expansion and utilization of telecommunications in the region.
Headquartered in Dubai, SAMENA is chaired by Dr. Mohammed Ali Al Wohaibi, Executive President, Omantel and is directed by Mr. Thomas W. Wilson, CEO, Teralight.
