Bangkok--20 Sep--JWT PR Key event will bring leading players together to focus on region’s dynamic potential Geneva, 17 September 2007 (UNDER EMBARGO) — ITU TELECOM ASIA 2008, the leading ICT Exhibition and Forum and major networking platform for players from across the Asia Pacific region, will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, 2-5 September 2008 at the IMPACT venue. Asia spans some of the world’s most sophisticated telecommunications and ICT markets with the highest levels of ICT penetration. Economies such as the Republic of Korea, with a 29% broadband penetration in 2006 and Hong Kong, China with 25% are among the world’s broadband leaders. It also encompasses some of the world’s largest and fastest growing markets, such as China and India, where mobile subscribers alone account for some 494 million and 165 million respectively. A host of exciting new technologies, such as wireless or next-generation mobile are gaining ground across the region, and these have the potential to reach out to huge numbers of new users. The combination of all these factors makes it a truly exciting region to explore. Showcase for state-of-the-art ICT “ITU TELECOM ASIA 2008 will be the ideal opportunity for the region’s top names in ICT to come together in Bangkok, Thailand, to discover all that Asia’s ICT sector has to offer,” said ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun Tour?. “I look forward to seeing at this event the latest cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the ICT industry and debating some of the key trends and policies that will shape its future.” Professor Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, Minister of Information and Communication Technology of the Royal Thai Government said, “Bangkok, Thailand, is delighted to be hosting ITU TELECOM ASIA 2008. We believe that our excellent exhibition and convention facilities as well as host of visitor amenities, coupled with a dynamic national ICT sector and key strategic position within the region, make us an ideal location for this important event. We look forward to extending our full support toward its success.” Bangkok was selected as the venue following a competitive bidding process in which a number of prospective hosts participated. It was chosen on the basis of a number of criteria, including financial viability. The TELECOM ASIA 2008 Exhibition will showcase the region’s latest ICT innovations while a high-level Forum will explore and debate key areas central to the growth of the Asia Pacific telecommunication industry. The event will also feature the Youth Forum, which will bring together young people from across the region for a packed programme of discussion and debate, the TDS (Telecommunication Development Symposium) as well as a host of networking opportunities for meeting and conducting business. ITU TELECOM ASIA will be the key ICT event for the region in 2008. For more information, please contact: Sanjay AcharyaChief, Media Relations and Public InformationITUTel: +41 22 730 6135E-mail: [email protected] Fernando Lagra?aExecutive Manager ITU TELECOM Tel: + 41 22 730 5094E-mail: [email protected] About ITU ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology issues, and the global focal point for governments and the private sector in developing networks and services. For more than 140 years, ITU has coordinated the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoted international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, worked to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world, and established the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. ITU also organizes worldwide and regional exhibitions and forums bringing together the most influential representatives of government and the telecommunications industry to exchange ideas, knowledge and technology for the benefit of the global community, and in particular the developing world. From broadband internet to latest-generation wireless technologies, from aeronautical and maritime navigation to radio astronomy and satellite-based meteorology, from phone and fax services to TV broadcasting and next-generation networks, ITU continues to play a central role in helping the world communicate. ITU TELECOM Events ITU TELECOM is a part of the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) and organizes major events for the world's ICT community. Our events provide a unique global networking platform where great minds, companies and new technologies connect. One of our ITU TELECOM events is held in a different region of the world each year, with our WORLD events held every three years. Our last Asia event took place in 2004 in Busan, Rep. of Korea, while our most recent ITU TELECOM WORLD event was held in December 2006 in Hong Kong, China ITU TELECOM ASIA 2008: Key Facts ASIA 2008 is a unique event for the ICT community which brings together the top names from across the industry, to explore the raft of opportunities which the Asian ICT sector offers for growth and investment. ASIA 2008 will be taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, at the IMPACT Challenger venue, from 2-5 September 2008. The event will feature: An Exhibition: Comprising a vibrant show floor which will encompass the Asian region’s latest cutting-edge innovations in ICT from broadband or IP-enabled services, to mobile and wireless technologies, next-generation networks, satellites and much more, spanning the full reach of the ICT industry. A Forum: The ASIA 2008 Forum will bring together leaders of industry and key policy makers from across the region to debate, discuss and explore areas essential to the growth of the ICT industry. And more: The event will also feature the Youth Forum, which will bring together young people from across the region for a packed programme of discussion and debate, the TDS (Telecommunication Development Symposium) as well as a host of networking opportunities for meeting and conducting business. A major networking platform: Through all the opportunities it offers, ITU TELECOM ASIA 2008 will provide a vital networking platform, where heads of industry can meet with heads of governments, share views, debate the future of the industry, seal key deals and get business done. Who will be there? Estimated Attendance at ASIA 2008 At the event, we expect a broad cross section of companies, organizations and regions to be present, from operators, manufacturers, internet service providers or software suppliers to academia, banking and finance, plus an extensive presence of government ministers and regulators and more. These attendees will all play an active part in the Event either as exhibitors, Forum delegates, VIPs or as trade visitors. ITU TELECOM ASIA 2008 will represent the full reach of Asia’s ICT industry, from broadcast, to mobile, Internet, IT and many more. Exhibitors’ Profile At our last ASIA event, we were pleased to feature Exhibiting companies from around the world, representing all key ICT markets, as well as a true cross-section of the industry. Building global communication frameworks for all Every time someone picks up a telephone and dials a number, answers a call on a mobile, sends a fax or receives an e-mail, takes a plane or a ship, listens to the radio or watches a favourite television programme, they benefit from the universal telecommunication frameworks put in place by ITU. For more than 140 years, the International Telecommunication Union has defined and adopted the globally agreed technical standards that have allowed industry to interconnect people and equipment seamlessly around the world. It has also successfully regulated worldwide use of the radio-frequency spectrum, ensuring all international wireless communications remain interference-free to assure the relay of vital information and economic data to all parts of the globe. Spearheading telecommunications development on a world scale, ITU fosters the deployment of telecommunications in developing countries also by advising on development policies and strategies and by providing specialized technical assistance in the areas of technology transfer, management, financing, installation and maintenance of networks, disaster mitigation, and on management of human resources. Founded in Paris in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union, ITU took its present name — the International Telecommunication Union — in 1934 and, in 1947, became a specialized agency of the United Nations. Nominated by leading international consultant Booz Allen Hamilton as one of the world’s top 10 most enduring institutions, ITU is also the most inclusive global telecommunications organization. ITU's biggest achievement is undoubtedly the pivotal role it has played in the creation of the international telecommunications network — the largest man-made artefact ever created. Today, thanks to the advent of the internet, mobile wireless telephony, convergence strategies and more, this network keeps us in touch, brings us world news, provides access to a huge global store of information, and underpins the global economy. It would not exist without ITU's work. Bringing everyone within easy reach of ICTs Whether through developing the standards used to create infrastructure to deliver telecommunications services on a worldwide basis, through equitable management of the radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbit to help bring wireless services to every corner of the world, or through providing support to countries as they pursue telecommunication development strategies, every element of ITU’s work is centred around the goal of putting every human being in the world within easy and affordable reach of information and communications and to contribute significantly to the economic and social development of all people. Just as it has done for more than 140 years, ITU remains dedicated to helping the world communicate. Agenda: Thailand is selected as the host venue for ITU Telecom Asia 2008 During August to September 2008 1. International Telecommunication Union or ITU is a specialized agency of the United Nations. ITU has defined and adopted the globally agreed technical standards. It has also successfully regulated worldwide use of the radio-frequency spectrum. ITU's mission is to enable the growth and sustained development of telecommunications and information networks to cover every area of the globe. Today, ITU has 189 country members, including over 620 active members from private organizations to participate in ITU’s activities. 2. Thailand has carried out several trials to be selected as a host for an ITU event. Back in the time of former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, Minister Suthep Tueak-suban has entered Thailand into the bid and failed. The second letdown followed during the time of the ousted Prime Minister, Taksin Shinawatra, by the effort of Minister Surapong Suebwonglee. Then, the ITU fairs were hosted in South Korea in 2004 and in Hong Kong in 2006 respectively. 3. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) partaking with Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has liaised the matter to ITU regarding the bid entry for Thailand to host the next ITU Telecom Asia 2008 between August to September 2008. Thailand has proposed the following benefits to promote this upcoming event: 3.1 To guarantee the venue rental of 8,000 square meters reserved for THAI PAVILION in the ITU Fair with 30 per cent discount rate for ITU 3.2 To grant financial support to ITU for venue rental worth USD 600,000 3.3 To grant financial support for promoting marketing communications in terms of public relations overseas and within the region worthUSD 300,000 3.4 To grant financial support for promoting marketing communications in terms of public relations domestically worth USD 500,000 3.5 To provide economy class air tickets up to 40 seats as the host country of the event 3.6 To support the actual amount due for the reception party to welcome VIP guesses, press and venue participants 3.7 To support the organization of the opening ceremony 3.8 To sponsor the rental- free venue area in Bangkok International ICT Expo 2007 during November 16 to 20, 2007 for ITU Telecom, who will come to exhibit a promotional booth for ITU Telecom Asia 2008. Expectation of Thailand: - To obtain income spent by the fair participants at the estimate amount of more than THB 3 billion. Additionally, the event is expected to create indirect incomes to private sectors, i.e hotels, transportation and business retailers. - To enhance Thailand’s image as the host for a major world-class fair. It is also seen as a way to express Thailand’s potentials to be the hub of telecommunication exhibition venue of the region. - To add trade value resulted from the business transactions done by vendors and purchasers within this fair. - To achieve success from the utilization of knowledge and technologies from innovative showcases in ITU fair to put forward the growth of telecommunication industry of Thailand. Furthermore, to promote the business of this industry in the regional level or in neighboring countries. Forum Participants Profile At our last ASIA event we welcomed participants at the Forum from across the industry and holding a variety of different positions within companies. Participants at the Forum also represented government and regulators as well as sectors such as banking or finance or academia. The main reasons for attending included assessing the latest trends, discussing new technologies, discussing national strategies as well as meeting top-level representatives of industry and government. For more information, please contact: Sanjay Acharya Fernando Lagra?a Chief, Media Relations and Public Information Executive Manager ITU ITU Telecom Tel: +41 22 730 6135 Tel: + 41 22 730 5094 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]