Samena Telecommunications Council has said its flagship summit Convergence to Jordan 2008 will be held on November 3 and 4 at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar in the Dead Sea.

The Dubai-based non-profit telecommunications association said the aim of the summit is to promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing across 25 countries from South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

The summit will bring together key decision makers and imposing personalities from the telecom industry including Dr Kamal Shehadi, chairman & CEO of TRA Lebanon, Dr Mohammed Al Wohaibi, CEO of Omantel, Mickael Ghossein, CEO Jordan Telecom Group, Alex Shalaby, CEO MobiNil, Ross Cormack, CEO Nawras and Marwan Zawayde, CEO and board director, Warid Telecom Pakistan, among others.

The Samena telecom industry is experiencing a revolution in terms of large FDI investment through consolidation as well as mergers and acquisitions.

Thomas Wilson, executive managing director and founder, Samena Telecommunications Council, said: 'The phenomenal growth pace of the telecom industry is likely to ensure a number of challenges and hence through 'Convergence to Jordan 2008' we aim to share knowledge, industry innovations, insights and experiences between our regional members thereby promoting collaboration and facilitating expansion and better utilisation of telecommunications in the region.

'The first ever 'Samena Telecom Awards' will also be announced in conjunction with the Convergence Summit to honour the leading telecom companies and representatives in recognition of their contribution to the Samena telecoms industry.'

'As the region's premiere telecommunications umbrella organisation we strive to continuously provide expertise and guidance, promote telecom innovations and facilitate networking opportunities between our esteemed member companies to trigger dialogue and assist them in making informed decisions beneficial to the telecom environment,' added Wilson.

The much awaited tri-regional annual event will bring together the key decision makers, industry experts and experienced professionals onto a common platform to discuss growth opportunities and future trends and also to address various issues and challenges impeding the Samena telecom industry.

The business environment has been hugely impacted by the privatisation and de-regulation of markets thereby providing new service opportunities and with it new challenges.

The two-day event will include various discussion forums, networking sessions, technical workshops and presentations providing numerous opportunities to discuss business matters, growth prospects as well as prospective cross-learning.

One of the most anticipated events by the telecoms community, ‘Convergence to Jordan 2008' will see participation by various telecom entities such as operators, regulators, vendors, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, educators, consultants and R&D experts and will be supported by Orange (previously Jordan Telecom group) and Teralight as the diamond and gold sponsors respectively. - TradeArabia News Service