Great opportunities in a post-revolution North African market, say participants at North Africa Com

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North Africa Com 2012
15-16 May 2012, Sheraton Tunis, Tunisia
Visit our Website: www.comworldseries.com/nafrica

Day 1 Summary  



The 7th Annual North Africa Com conference and exhibition opened yesterday in Tunis to discuss the evolution of the region’s telecommunications, media and ICT market.

The conference keynote included presentations and panel discussions with contributions from the region’s leading operators as well as media players.

The opening point of discussion was the impact of the Arab Spring on the communications market. Fadhel Kraiem, Director General of Tunisie Telecom, said that the revolution had changed customers’ expectations with now more demands for openness and development. Michel Monzani, SVP for MENA at Orange Group added that the revolution created an appetite for freedom and speed which expresses itself in the communications sector with more demand for fast access to people and content. Driving this new demand is the growing youth segment, particularly important to encourage the use of data and content.

A key element in the evolution of the market is the broadband access. The availability of 3G enables new possibilities in terms of content and applications, including new partnerships with different players in the ecosystem. Tunisiana recently received confirmation of its 3G licence; CEO Ken Campbell announced the services were going to launch before Ramadan this year. “North Africa is a booming market for broadband”, said Hossam Elgamal, MBB Senior Consultant at Huawei; “we’re here to introduce the latest technologies which will help this market catch up with the more advanced ones”.

Convergence also brings many opportunities to the market. From the Telco side, local loop unbundling in Tunisia will allow competitive operators to launch triple play services. Media companies are positioning themselves to take advantage of the convergence between telecoms and media. Nader Gohar from news agency CNC in Egypt said that “as a broadcaster, North Africa Com is a chance for me to meet people in the communications and ICT industry to help me see what the future of my profession is”.
  The event is a great opportunity to share ideas and best practice between stakeholders from across the region. For Tunisie Telecom, Technology Partner of the event, “as Tunisie Telecom is a major player in Tunisia’s telecommunications, economy and development, this event is a way of sharing our vision of the future of telecommunications and ICT with the region’s countries”, said Director General Fadhel Kraiem.

Networking opportunities were plenty, including a busy speed networking session yesterday morning. The conference and exhibition room were full and buzzing with conversations and impromptu meetings.

The event is continuing today with more contributions from the region’s leading companies, including Vodafone Egypt, Etisalat Misr, Tunisiana, Cellcom Tunisia and more.
 
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What are your thoughts on this year's North Africa Com? 
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Take a look at the photos from the packed busy conference
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Click here: http://yfrog.com/ke9ijtsj
 
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What are delegates saying about North Africa Com?
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“The opening and the hall was full! Lot of attendees and good level”
Toni Eid, CEO, Telecoms Review  

“I think that the first day was very interesting in terms of meetings and organization. Panellists presented very good slides/presentations. It was a very busy day and beneficial for all key players of telecom/IT and Media”

Hosni Mahjoub, Head of intelligence, Tunisie Telecom, Tunisia

«Au nom de tunisie telecom je vous remerci pour la bonne organisation et aussi la franchise du debat d'aujourdhui entre les chefs concurents qui ont pu soulever le defit d'un discourt directe.
Merci bien»
Ahmed Smidi, legal advisor, Tunisie Telecom, Tunisia

«Themes discutes interessants. Bonne organisation de l'evenement. Sessions Networking benefiques et tres interessantes. Echanges favorises grace aux contacts faites. Intervenants professionnels de qualite. 3G session surtout avec l'example de Tunisie Telecom»

Karima Belahsene, Chef de Departement Reporting et Qualite ATM Mobilis, Algeria

«Le contenue c'est bien, j'aime les conferences, tres enrichissantes. Je trouve que c'est professionelle de rencontrer ces gens et d'avoir acces au divers stands bien exposes»
Afef Belhaj Makhlouf, Head of IN/ Data Charging and Vas Departement Orange Tunisie

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Sponsors of North Africa Com
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- Tunisie Telecom
- Huawei
- Bics
- Inovar
- Corning
- Qualcomm