JEDDAH, 13 December 2005 — A range of advanced mobile phones and third-generation (3G) technologies are among the attractions showcased at the COMMTEL, which opened yesterday at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center.
“It’s an impressive show of what the world has to offer and what the Kingdom can take for furthering its advancement, especially in the communications and IT sector,” Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal ibn Majed remarked at the opening of the five-day event to promote new technologies in computing, ecommerce, the Internet, office equipment and accessories, business communications and mobile phones.
Mobile phones with user-friendly features showcased by different international brands are a big draw at the exhibition, which is sponsored by Saudi Telecom Co. (STC).
“It offers visitors a chance to view the latest technology, interact with experts, and compare prices and specifications across a wide spectrum of products and services,” said the spokesman for STC, which has put up an attractive dome where an audiovisual program unfolds the future in the 3G era.
Among 150 exhibitors in the technology and telecommunications sectors are other major names including Bravo, Microsoft, Toshiba, LG, Itisalat International Company and Axiom Telecom.
The exhibition covers a vast segment of the communication sector including desktop publishing, e-commerce, e-mail, the Internet, multimedia, office equipment and supplies, online services, personal computers and laptops, software systems, website development, coin/card payphone system, communications, commuter technology integration data transmission, intercoms, ISDN terminals, office communications, private communicating systems, satellite communication and accessories, telephone equipment and voicemail.
Symposiums and workshops are being held alongside the show, covering a range of topics that provides industry professionals with a forum. Hosting such interactive programs are STC, Microsoft and Saudi Data.
“The show has come about at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing a rapid expansion of its telecommunications products and services,” said Zahoor Siddique, the spokesman for the Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions.
The IT in general and telecommunications in particular are witnessing a rapid expansion. PCs and the use of the Internet have increased many folds over the years. Fixed telecommunications services have gone up from 3.5 million lines in 2003, and are expected to increase in line with the Kingdom’s plan for providing 25 lines per 100 people by 2005.
Mobile subscribers have increased from 16,000 in 1995 to nearly six million in 2003. There has been a huge increase in the use of mobile phones, especially in the number of international calls.
“With the market penetration of only 22 percent, the Kingdom remains a lucrative and eager market in all areas of mobile phone technology,” said Abdul Rahman Saggaf, a mobile phones dealer.
The world’s e-commerce is worth over $7.29 trillion (seven percent of global transactions) at the end of 2004. The Kingdom is eyeing a share in it, as its revenue in this sector is estimated to be around $8 billion by 2008.
Significantly, the event introduced “.comarabia”. With online commerce rapidly expanding and complementing traditional business, there will be a strong theme throughout the show emphasizing the importance of the digital economy. This will enable suppliers in this sector to promote goods and services to assist the business and professional audience to acquire a larger share in the Kingdom’s multibillion B2B and multimillion B2C e-commerce industries, said Majed Al-Sugaither of the King Abdul Aziz University.
The show provides CEOs, IT managers, professionals, entrepreneurs and others with the opportunity to view the latest technology in communication systems and office environment, and also provides a showcase for an ever-increasing demand in the latest gadgets, games and technology.