Middle East Telecommunications and Media Forum


Boosting Broadband in the Region

Middle East Telecommunications & Media Forum
Forum examines the outlook for mass broadband usage in the region  Save the event to your Outlook Calendar!
The International Institute of Communications (IIC) will hold its Middle East Telecommunications and Media Forum on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at the Sharq Village & Spa (Al-Dasha Hall), Ras Abboud Street, Al-Khulaifait, Doha, Qatar, with ictQATAR hosting the forum.

In spite of huge strides made in recent years, broadband development in the Middle East lags behind the North America, the Far East and Europe. Yet the region's youthful demographic structure and local lifestyles would suggest fertile ground for its development and, as elsewhere, governments are acutely aware that they cannot afford to ignore the very significant social, economic, personal and cultural benefits that widespread broadband use could bring.

This one-day Forum will examine the outlook for mass broadband usage in the region in the light of current trends, demographics and lifestyle choices, and the associated commercial opportunities. Drawing on the experience of North America, the Far East and Europe, it will analyze the technology required to extend the reach of broadband to meet future user requirements as well as what is needed to create demand for broadband by way of content, new services and applications.

The IIC's Telecommunications and Media Forum meets three times a year in different geographical locations including annually in Brussels and in Washington, DC. Its meetings are restricted to members and invited guests. The emphasis is on discussion between participants and free and frank exchanges of views. This means that a considerable amount of time is dedicated to debate, and discussions are confidential.

For more information or to register to attend the Middle East Telecommunications and Media Forum, follow this link.  


This one-day Forum will examine the outlook for mass broadband usage in the region in the light of current trends, demographics and lifestyle choices, and the associated commercial opportunities. To register, follow this link. 

The Forum Agenda

08:30  Registration and refreshments

09:00  Opening Remarks 
            William Fagan 
            Executive Director - Regulatory Authority 
            Supreme Council of Information and
            Communication Technology (ictQATAR)

            Welcome 
            Andrea Millwood Hargrave 
            Director General, International Institute of
            Communications 


09:15 Keynote Address 
            Dr. Hessa Al-Jaber
            Secretary General, The Supreme Council of Information and Communications
            Technology (ictQATAR)

SESSION ONE
Broadband Trends in the Middle East - What can be Learnt from Elsewhere?

  • What do the fixed, wireless and mobile broadband markets look like in the region and how are they developing? How do speed, penetration and take-up rates stack up in relation to other regions? What influence are demographics having on the market?
  • What does the experience of North America, the Far East and Europe reveal about broadband availability, speed and usage trends and requirements and what the future might hold for the region?
  • What will be the main drivers of consumer demand in the region?
  • What role for regulation and government policy?

09:45 In the chair   Martin Cave OBE 
                                    Professor and Director, Centre for Management under
                                    Regulation Warwick Business School

Speakers                 Broadband and the Consumer: What do we know? 
                                   Dr. Jeffrey Cole
                                   Director, Center for the Digital Future and Research Professor 
                                   USC Annenberg School 
                                   A Middle Eastern overview 
                                   A Perspective from Asia 
                                   Sanda Cheuk 
                                   Head of Regulatory Division, Office of the, Office of the
                                   Telecommunications Authority - OFTA, Hong Kong SAR
                                   Download the presentation [PDF - 1 MB] 
                                   Discussion

11:15                         Break

SESSION TWO
Technology and the User Experience - What is the Regional Outlook?

  • Given current and next generation technologies on the horizon does the future for mass broadband use lie with wireless or mobile broadband or will fixed offer the best prospects in terms of user experience, expectations and general affordability? To what extent are future options limited by spectrum constraints or shortcomings in technology architecture, such as backbone, bandwidth and middle mile issues?
  • While mobile broadband would seem to be an attractive option, not least for lifestyle and demographic reasons, to what extent can mobile broadband technology be deployed for mass use? Will it meet user expectations for a mobile, seamless, always connected, rich media and interactive experience? Will smartphones predominate?
  • Is government intervention needed to build high speed, next generation broadband networks or can it be left to the market? What government or regulatory measures are required to enable the most efficient use of those technologies for which there is likely to be high demand?

11:35 In the chair  Karim Sabbagh
                                  Partner and Head, Global Communications, Media
                                  and Technology, Booz &Company  

Speakers              Dr. Robert Pepper
                                Vice President and Senior Managing Director,
                                Global Technology Policy, Cisco Systems, Inc. 
                                Marc Aafjes 
                                Director of Corporate Strategy and Intelligence, Qtel International 
                                (on LTE, mobile technology generally) 
                                A consumer device viewpoint 
                                Jeremy Foster
                                Marketing Director, Middle East, Ericsson Communications 
                                Hamad Almannai
                                CEO and Board Member 
                                Knowledge Ventures, Qatar (pan Gulf view) 
                                Discussion

13:00                     Lunch

SESSION THREE
Stimulating Consumer Broadband Demand - What will it Take?

  • Given the experiences in other regions and local lifestyles, customs and cultures, what particular kinds of content, applications and services are likely to drive mass broadband uptake in the region and why? What is already available by way of compelling content and services in the region and what is lacking? What are the opportunities for local content origination and services?
  • What role for mobile operators in relation to content? Will they be purveyors or originators of content? What are the value chain and business model implications? What role for traditional broadcasters and for new broadcasters using digital over the air, mobile and internet TV?
  • What types of commercial offers (flat rate, pre-paid, service bundles) can mobile operators and other providers use to encourage mass broadband uptake and meet user expectations? Is customer perceived value based on content and price the key driver?
  • What role for regulators and policy makers in relation to demand stimulation? Are copyright issues a serious impediment to the development of the local digital content market? If so, where do the solutions lie?

14:00 In the chair   William Fagan

Speakers                Khalifa Saleh Haroon 
                                  Chief Executive Officer, Iloveqatar.net/Haroon United Group;
                                  Manager of Online and Corporate Strategy, Vodafone Qatar 
                                  Download the presentation [PDF - 443 KB]
                                  Mohamed Nanabhy
                                  Head of Online, Al-Jazeera English 
                                  Jan Holzberg
                                  Head of Product Management, Vodafone Qatar 
                                  Download the presentation [PDF - 2.6 MB]
                                  Homoud Bin Mohammad Al-Kussayer 
                                  Vice President, Regulatory and Public Affairs, Saudi Telecom
                                  Download the presentation [PDF - 416 KB]
                                  Robert Middleton
                                  Deputy Director General, Telecommunications Regulatory
                                  Authority (TRA), Bahrain
                                  Discussion

16:15                     Concluding Reflections: Key Enablers for Broadband
                               Development in the Region 
                               William Fagan

16:25                     Closing Remarks 
                               Andrea Millwood Hargrave






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