Growth in data usage driving operators to rethink Internet business models.
Dubai - UAE, May 17, 2012 - SAMENA Telecommunications Council, the tri-regional industry association of the leading telecommunications organizations and European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association (ETNO), the European telecom operators’ industry association, have highlighted the importance of redefining and rethinking current Internet models in the face of a constant growth in demand for broadband connectivity from customers who increasingly prefer data over voice and SMS. SAMENA and ETNO will also work together on preparation for the WCIT-2012
Thomas Wilson, CEO and Executive Managing Director of SAMENA Telecommunications Council said, “The ICT industry is reaching new milestones in the growth of content usage via service networks globally. This growth has created an environment for change, as the raw data growth on service networks has presented a near constant demand for bandwidth for broadband requirements. Enabling this growth is the huge investment in technology based solutions and this CAPEX requirement has created stress on the current business model of today's ICT environment.”
Acting as a further catalyst for change, SAMENA Council and ETNO will be announcing at the SAMENA CEO Leaders Dinner later this month, their joint efforts toward the development of a common platform and position for a “Sustainable Internet Business Model” for operators in their respective regions and their intention to work together in order to prepare for the WCIT-2012.
Luigi Gambardella, Chairman of ETNO's Executive Board said, "Telecom operators have to keep making investments in further building their broadband infrastructures; however, the commercial viability of the offering needs to be considered and additional revenue streams need to be explored. Internet traffic is expected to increase rapidly in the near future and current Internet models need to be upgraded and their sustainability needs to be ensured.”
SAMENA Telecommunications Council is organizing the “CEO Leadership Dinner 2011” hosted by PCCW Global, an Operating division of Hong Kong Telecom, on May 24th in Hong Kong under the theme “Internet Policy Dynamics: Shaping the Future - How consensus between The Policy Makers, Content Providers and Operators can lead us to Sustainable Digital Economies". This strict C-level annual dinner gathering will convene more than 65 chief executives and chairmen from leading telecom operators to discuss the importance of collaborative efforts in building sustainable models.
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About SAMENA:
SAMENA (South Asia-Middle East-North Africa) Telecommunications Council is a tri-regional, non-profit telecommunications industry association that represents over 40 telecommunications operators in 25 markets, representing an aggregate subscriber base of 700 million mobile users, 79 million fixed-line users, and 22 million broadband users. The Council’s membership embodies a community of telecoms operators, manufacturers, government bodies, academia, and leading global management consultancy organizations. SAMENA’s Board of Directors and member companies include the largest regional operators and global multi-network operators as well as new competitive entrants. SAMENA focuses on digitization and broadband investment policies, and aims to promote beneficial regulation and governance that further industry evolution, as well as cooperation among key ICT industry stakeholders. For further information, please visit www.samenacouncil.org or contact SAMENA Communication at +97143642700 or email to (communications@samenacouncil.org).
About ETNO:
ETNO’s 40 member companies and 10 observers from Europe and beyond represent a significant part of total ICT activity in Europe. They account for an aggregate annual turnover of more than €600 billion and employ over 1.6 million people. ETNO companies are the main drivers of broadband and are committed to its continual growth in Europe.
For more information, please contact: Thierry Dieu, ETNO Director for Communications and Public Policy Tel: (32-2) 219 32 42 Fax: (32-2) 219 64 12 E-mail: dieu@etno.be
For more information please call:
Farah Ibrahim
TRACCS
Tel: +9714 3672530
TRACCS Media Hotline: +97150 9448389
Email: farah.ibrahim@traccs.net