The Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region has become one of the most dynamic emerging markets for satellite and broadcast use with commercial satellite-lease annual revenues posting a 17 per cent jump to touch $752 million.

Nearly 100 percent of satellite transponders in the region are being used, according to a recent study by Euroconsult and The London Satellite Exchange, reflecting the demand for capacity in the Mena region by media, telecom, and military users.

According to Euroconsult estimates, transponder demand throughout Mena has risen 12 per cent per year for the last five years.

The commercial satellite-lease revenues have grown by 17 percent per year on average since 2003, reaching $752 million in 2007.

The report states that 42 per cent of Ku-band satellite usage within the region was from television and radio broadcasts, while the remainder was made up from voice and data traffic.

Highlighting the growth of satellite demand, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Cabsat Mena – the third largest digital media event globally– is launching a new dedicated trade event, Satellite Mena.

Satellite Mena will deliver a networking platform to explore business opportunities, formulate strategies and create partnerships for video, voice, data and IP communications over satellite.

“The launch of Satellite Mena provides a dedicated business forum for those interested in the satellite sectors, and we are delighted to have the support from some of the market’s leading associations,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre.

“Holding Cabsat Mena and Satellite Mena side by side allows us to be more targeted in our approach while still providing a detailed reflection of the overall cable and satellite market.”

The expo will run alongside Cabsat which has been refocused to serve the digital broadcast sector. Together, these two events are expected to attract nearly 10,000 trade visitors from more than 100 countries during the three-day exhibition welcoming 650 exhibiting companies from 50 countries, he noted.

“As the satellite sector has significantly grown, we are delighted that this exhibition, Satellite Mena, has been launched,” said Martin Jarrold, chief international programme development, GVF, one of the leading industry associations supporting Satellite Mena.

“Such a dedicated event will help satellite professionals exchange ideas and visions, and gain more industry insight in a very specific atmosphere. GVF is proud to be an associate and welcomes this strategic development of the event,” he added.

Satellite Mena is also supported by Asia Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC), Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) and World Trade Association (WTA).

The expos will run from March 3 to 5 and the admission is restricted to trade and business professionals only.-TradeArabia News Service