3G World Congress heralds 2007 as a crucial year

November 30, 2006

In advance of the biggest week for the telecommunications industry since the turn of the millennium, the 11th Annual 3G World Congress and Mobility Marketplace (4 - 7th December) publicly urges the industry's key players to consider carefully their contribution to the stability of the world's communications infrastructure, and encourages them to engage in debate on a macro level, as well as focusing on their own products and revenue streams.

The sheer number of "industry critical" topics under debate next week confirms that 2007 will be absolutely crucial to the future stability of global telecoms industry, states Daniel Kirwin, managing director of Beacon Events, organizer of the annual 3G World Congress. "Industry heavyweights from across the globe are coming together to debate the future of telecommunications at the 3G World Congress. There's no doubt that the industry is in the midst of massive transformation. Century old structures are being rapidly replaced by immature and unproven alternatives. Fundamental shifts in the use of fixed and mobile telecoms infrastructure are forcing the industry to adapt at an unprecedented pace, driven by white-hot competition and the search for new sources of revenue. The convergence of telecoms services, entertainment, advertising and the Internet is challenging traditional telecom providers -- both fixed and wireless. It's the job of the 3G World Congress to appeal to industry players visiting Hong Kong next week to take stock and consider how their actions impact the big picture.

"Industry-wide debates at the Congress offer key global players the only opportunity they will get in the next year to break free from the sales-fever and the hype, and come together to debate the crucial twelve months ahead," Kirwin continues. "At present there are serious questions clouding the way forward. How can mobile operators manage the transformation from connectivity provision to content supply? Why are we touting 4G, when existing 3G services may yet outperform them? Will the industry actually take advantage of WiMAX technology, or get caught up in a debate over what it is and what it isn't? How can we drive the message to Internet players that connectivity must be a paid-for utility, like electricity, and not a free resource?

"There is some real concern," concludes Kirwin, "that if left unresolved, these issues and technologies could send the telecoms industry into decline. However, if the industry can elevate its discussions and engage in debate focused on global development instead of individual technologies and market juxtapositions, then the opportunities are bountiful. The industry needs to place the key issues in their proper context and establish a direction that enables all the players to exploit fully the huge range of market opportunities that exist over the next twelve months and beyond."

Running from 4 to 7 December, the 11th Annual 3G World Congress & Mobility Marketplace includes a full range of CEO keynote sessions, special interest tracks, workshops and discussion forums focused on strategic business, market, financial, and technology plans. More than 170 key players including Intel, Motorola, Orange, Nokia, Siemens Communications, Qualcomm, Alcatel and Lucent Technologies will address the key issues that will determine the future of 3G and mobility.

New at the Congress in 2006 is the Mobility Marketplace, an onsite workplace that will provide extensive and exclusive meeting facilities for delegates to enhance business development and networking strategy for Asia. This will also be the centre point for analysts and the media to meet with prominent industry players and key decision makers to gain in-depth insights in many of the key issues that affect the industry and consumers in a more private setting.