Middle East : Dubai will host the 2007 GSM>3G Middle East and Gulf (MEG) congress and exhibition on 2-3 September at the Dubai International Convention Centre.  The 6 streamed annual event is expected to draw over 3,000 attendees to set the agenda for one of the world's most dynamic markets.  Above shows last years event.

A significant panel in the agenda focuses on the telecom networks and their importance in the telecom industry alongside the impact of outsourcing on network operations and network ownerships.  Panellists Mubashir Naqvi, CEO of Ufone in Pakistan, and Tushar Maheshwari, CCO of Afghan Wireless will discuss the roles of the networks, outsourcing, and equipment vendors' relationships with the carriers. 

Organized by Informa Telecoms and Media, the leading provider of business intelligence and strategic services to global telecoms and media markets, the annual GSM>3G MEG congress and exhibition brings together representatives from every aspect of the telecoms value-chain including: operators, vendors, content providers, bankers, and government officials.  CxOs from some of the largest Middle Eastern and wider international telecom companies will present across 6 streams and 2 strategic sessions.  The conference will provide to the industry representatives the forum to introduce their newest product updates and share technological advances and innovations. 

"The event continues to be the main meeting place for all telecom people," said AA, Palestine Cellular.

The 12th annual conference will focus on new technological advances and innovations in the booming telecom industry in the Middle East and Gulf, which witnessed an increase of over 8.5 million subscribers in the first quarter 2007.  The region now boasts over 80 million GSM subscribers and continues to grow.  By 2010, mobile subscriptions are set to reach 108 million with a penetration forecast of 45%.  The Middle East and Gulf region is the fastest growing market area in the telecom industry with consistent growth rates across the entire region.

"[The event is] a fantastic opportunity to meet and network with regional operators and vendors," said MK, RP International.

Over 2,000 industry professionals attended the conference in 2006, with over 30% holding board and director level positions.  The event attracted global presence with a strong regional representation, with over 65% from the Middle East. 

In addition to over 160 vendors, 14 C-Level speakers will present including Osman Sultan, CEO of du (United Arab Emirates); Ineke Botter, CEO of Alfa (Lebanon); Rula Abu Daher, CTO of MTC (Lebanon); Mubashir Naqvi, CEO of UFone (Pakistan); Roberto Gavazzi, Senior Project Manager of Telecom Italia (Italy); Khaled Tabbara, Director of Carrier Relations at du (United Arab Emirates); Yousef Mugharbil, General Manager Digital Media at Rotana (Saudi Arabia); Mohammed Jamoussi, Senior Technical Consultant at STC (Saudi Arabia); and Ross Cormack, CEO of Nawras (Oman). 

Produced by Informa Telecoms and Media and endorsed by the GSM Association, the GSM>3G MEG Conference is sponsored by leaders in the global telecoms technology companies, including Qualcomm, Ericsson, Huawei, Powerwave, Telesoft, Bercut, Hewlett Packard, Acision, and Belgacom.