TRA Participates for the Second time in Broadband World Forum MEA 2011

Mohamed Al Ghanim addresses key issues about broadband growth and regional regulations
Download Speed: UAE ranked fifth in Asia after South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) participated for the second time in the Broadband World Forum MEA 2011; H.E. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Director General, delivered a speech addressing the forum on broadband growth and regional regulations during the last 50 years.

In his speech, Al Ghanim reviewed the number of subscribers in the Emirates since 1960, giving examples that show the broad development that has occurred in the sector and noted the highlights during this history.
“The UAE Telecommunications sector plays an extremely important role in the economy. It contributed nearly 5.3{e1f18614b95d3cd6e4b3128e1cd15d99b042a60a5a19c19b7a8e07e7495efa10} to GDP and employees more than 12,000 people, while the total industry investment was AED 7,861 million for 2010”, Al Ghanim said.
“October 1971 witnessed the first agreement between the GCC countries to establish a Permanent Committee for Telecommunications for the Arabian Gulf Region. Today Telecom markets in GCC countries demonstrate progress on issues such as spectrum as well as broadband connectivity and other advanced technologies.”

During the speech, Al Ghanim mentioned many facts that reflect the continuous growth of broadband; over 60{e1f18614b95d3cd6e4b3128e1cd15d99b042a60a5a19c19b7a8e07e7495efa10} of UAE households are connected to the internet through fibre network. Meanwhile, the two local service providers Etisalat and du supply triple-play services to households and business customers. Broadband subscribers grow in 2010 to reach 1.375m.
The two-day event held at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, from March 14 to 15, features a speaker panel of 70+ regional and international visionaries including 30+ operators. They present across a packed agenda of keynote plenary sessions, interactive panel discussions, four in-depth technology tracks and a Rural Coverage and Connectivity focus day. Topics span the breadth and depth of regional broadband to deliver a comprehensive update on everything topical in the industry.
Following two successful years, the Broadband Global Summit has been rebranded to become the Broadband World Forum MEA. Falling in step with its world-renowned sister event, the Broadband World Forum in Paris, the Broadband World Forum MEA is now the Middle East & Africa’s largest broadband event.