26th edition of Gitex offers key additional feature – new platform for Telecom sector

Increased it spending set to generate more interest for the region's premier IT & Telecomms event

GITEX 2006 will once again live up to its international reputation as one of the leading exhibitions in the IT & communications industry, as it plays host to over 3,000 participating companies from more than 60 countries announced organiser Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
The 26th edition of the premier trade event, collocated with the new Telecoms exhibition, GULFCOMMS, is scheduled to be held from 18-22 November 2006 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The exhibition will reflect the latest advancements in the ICT industry including revolutionary products and innovations that will take the world by storm as well as developments in global technology markets.
"We are delighted that GITEX continues to go from strength to strength, consistently providing the region with a global platform in which to do business, exchange ideas and form new alliances. As the IT market strengthens and spending in the Middle East and North Africa markets keeps on rising, we believe our role of a facilitator becomes even more crucial" commented Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, DWTC

There are strong indications by tracking the global IT spending growth trends, that the region is primed to spend more with the governments across the region keen to bring in the latest technology. Various government and private sector organisations have been gearing up for the advent of fresh and innovative technologies that are ushered in every year during GITEX.

Latest estimates from international market research firm IDC predict that worldwide end users will spend US$1.2 trillion on information technology in 2006 and IT spending will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% to reach US$1.5 trillion in 2010.

In the region, the UAE and Saudi Arabia account for 77% of the Gulf's current annual IT spend of AED 18.12 billion (US$ 4.94 billion). Industry estimates show that Middle East and North Africa (MENA) IT market is set to grow from US$ 6.9 billion in 2003 to US$ 13.4 billion by 2008.

With this in mind GITEX is now sold out and just some of the key players on board include Microsoft, Oracle, Sony, HP and Dubai Internet City as well as 25 country exhibits with new entries from Portugal, Hungry and the USA.

New for this year, is the collocated event, GULFCOMMS - an exclusive event to focus on the region's burgeoning telecommunications sector. The exhibition, held in the newly built 15,000 sqm Zabeel Hall, 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.

"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 added Al Marri.

GULFCOMMS welcomes over 100 major global and regional telecom companies including Alcatel, Avaya, Belagcom, China Potevio, du, Efonica, Etisalat, France Telecom, Gateway Gulf, Inmarsat, JDSU, Juniper, Korea Telecom, Mediaring, Net2phone, Nokia, Nortel, Saudi Telecom, Streamlink, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (UAE) and Thuraya.

Accompanying this new addition are several industry focused events including the Senior Executive Briefing sessions organised by CommsMEA on the 19-20 November and the GVF Communications Forum held from 19-22 November 2006.

The 16th edition of GITEX Shopper & Consumer Electronics Expo 2006, undisputed leader in technology-retailing also returns alongside GITEX this year. The exhibition presents the ultimate shopping experience for consumers in the Middle East looking for the latest in IT and digital mobility products and will be held at Airport Expo Dubai from 18-24 November 2006.

Last year Gitex Shopper reported a 36% surge in sales to AED76 million (US$21 million), a 36% increase in on-stand transactions. Nearly 118,000 people visited the show, up 9.25% over the previous year.

GITEX takes place on the 18-22 November 2006 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai, UAE and will be held in conjunction with GULFCOMMS, the Middle East's Largest International Telecommunications Technology Event for Mobile, Fixed, IP and Satellite.

Gitex & Gulfcomms 2006 to put information at your fingertips

650 million corporate email inboxes in use but only 10 million mobile email subscribers

With PDA adoption across the Middle East set to explode, push e-mail will be the killer application that will drive widespread take-up of the devices according to Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) organisers of GITEX and GULFCOMMS 2006, the region's leading IT and telecommunications exhibition. GITEX and GULFCOMMS will take place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) from 18 - 22 November 2006.

Enterprise mobility solutions from exhibitors like Nokia, Sony Ericsson, i-Mate and others are marking the turning point for the market sector. The ground having been prepared by ubiquitous and constant cell phone usage, the way is now clear for always-on e-mail access in the hand. This change of a requirement - at least from the business perspective - of 24x7 access to mail will open new markets and deliver extra revenue streams to telcos looking for new services to offer.
"It's clear that the mobile e-mail market is vast and untapped," explains Trixee Loh, DWTC General Manager Exhibitions. "Industry estimates* suggest that, whilst there are around 650 million corporate e-mail inboxes in use today, there are probably less than ten million mobile e-mail subscribers."

A recent PDA pilot at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) shows the ways the region's leading corporations are viewing the possibilities. "With the strong economic growth in the region it is becoming imperative for professionals in the UAE and the region in general to have the latest information at their fingertips anywhere and anytime," observed Ms Loh.

Devices available in the local market today help executives integrate the data on their handheld with enterprise strength mail servers to enable secure, push-based wireless access to e-mail and other corporate data. At GITEX and GULFCOMMS visitors can expect to get a feel of this emerging technology application with a number of the industry's leading vendors and service providers available at the show.

Even as PDA device sales are growing in volume, industry estimates indicate that push e-mail will certainly revolutionise PDA usage in the Middle East. With this feature now being driven strongly into the market by Windows' based PDAs as well, a lot of users who typically use Outlook for e-mail can now get it on their PDAs as well.

Other players supporting and showcasing their products and solutions at GITEX 2006 like Nokia and I-Mate among others also expect to tap into the handheld and push e-mail market.

"Overall, we're seeing major movement in this sector. We expect this year's GITEX 2006 exhibition to provide plenty of opportunities for users to try out the technology and see how it could add value to their businesses," concluded Ms. Loh.

Running concurrently with GITEX 2006 will be a new dedicated exhibition aimed exclusively at the telecommunications sector - GULFCOMMS 2006. The new show 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.

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.

GITEX, The Middle East's Premier Information Technology and Communications exhibition, takes place on the 18-22 November 2006 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai, UAE and will be held in conjunction with GULFCOMMS, the Middle East's Largest International Telecommunications Technology Event for Mobile, Fixed, IP and Satellite.

GITEX and GULFCOMMS are open to Trade and Business Visitors only. Admission: One Day Ticket: 30 AED and Five Day Ticket: 80 AED. Persons under the age of 18 will not be permitted entry. University students must be accompanied by faculty members and will be permitted entry during the 20-22 November ONLY.

GITEX/GULF COMMS 18-22 November, Dubai

GITEX, the Gulf Information and Technology Exhibition is the pre-eminent gathering of minds and ideas in the Gulf region.

Visitors to the du area will be the first to sample du’s quad play services; mobile, fixed line, internet and TV. du will provide a glimpse into its retail outlets which are due to be rolled out before the end of the year. This includes handset demonstrations, interactive screens and feedback technology presentations. Other unique surprises and opportunities to interact with the du staff also await visitors.

du is proud to not only be a leading presenter and exhibitor, but also sponsor of the GITEX & GULFCOMMS media centre . du has designed a dynamic, intelligent and progressive media centre providing real-time access to press releases, audio-visual data and information technology. Additionally, the centre will provide internet equipped computer terminals allowing the media to remain in contact with their bases.

Join us at GITEX/GULF COMMS and experience the world of du.