Information Technology

Jun 23, 2006
CommunicAsia2006 focuses on mobile applications, broadband, NGNs

SINGAPORE -- CommunicAsia and Enterprise IT, the region’s foremost technology shows, will be returning once again to the Singapore Expo from the 20 to 23 June 2006.

Together with BroadcastAsia, the three events will offer an exceptional offering as they meet the converging streams of ICT, mobile entertainment, telecom services, business needs and the digital lifestyle.

Reflecting the buoyant market and the latest trends, some of the key technologies addressed on the show floor include mobile entertainment, IPTV, 3G, VoIP, NGN, WiMAX, information security and embedded technologies. The event will also feature 21 international group pavilions including Thailand, US, Korea, the European Union and China among others, in addition to the ESC-led Indian pavilion.

According to Gartner, India continues to have the fastest growing ICT market in the world, with a predicted CAGR of 19 percent from 2004 through 2008. Gartner estimates that ICT spending in India will surpass US $54.8 billion by 2008, a rise from US $29.5 billion in 2004. Reflecting the surge in ICT demand in India, a total of 555 Indian visitors attended CommunicAsia and EnterpriseIT in 2005, posting a 25 percent increase over 2004. The focus of the CommunicAsia Summit this year turns toward mobile applications, broadband and NGNs as the industry’s three key growth areas.

Convergence Plus spoke with Victor Wong, project director, Communicasia 2006, Singapore Exhibition Services, on CommunicAsia key message to the global telecom industry.

Convergence Plus: What are the focus areas of CommunicAsia2006? What would be your key message to the global telecom industry?

Victor Wong: CommunicAsia is a global event that presents a comprehensive range of digital technologies to answer the needs of Asia's ICT industry.

Showcasing developments at the cutting edge of commercialisation, visitors to CommunicAsia can expect to see interactive and mobile entertainment, IPTV, 3G, VoIP, NGN, WiMAX, information security and embedded technologies. The companies behind them include NTT Docomo, Sony Ericsson, Lucent, Motorola and Siemens, Samsung and LG among many others.

Besides being the most relevant event to Asia's ICT market, CommunicAsia also holds a unique position in being the most comprehensive event of its kind as it partners BroadcastAsia and EnterpriseIT in showcasing the broad spectrum of digital technologies that cut across the value chain of the communications, broadcasting and the enterprise solutions arena.

The focus of the high-powered CommunicAsia Summit this year turns toward mobile applications, broadband and next generation networks as the industry’s three key growth areas Some of the top-notch speakers include Andrew Sukawaty, CEO and chairman, Inmarsat; Joseph Anton Aliagas, CEO, Arena Mobile Music; Skuli Mogensen, CEO and founder, OZ; Craig Wilson, director, Asia Pacific, digital media and telecommunications, IBM; Craig Farrill, CEO, Kodiak Networks; Thorsten Heinz, CTO, Siemens, etc.

CP: How do you see the market for mobile entertainment growing in Asia Pacific, especially India?

VW: A recent research from Informa has stated that the mobile entertainment industry accounts for US $16 billion in global revenue, and is expected to almost triple to US $42 billion by 2010. The Asia Pacific region has been one of the fastest to adopt mobile entertainment with Japan and Korea leading the pack. As mobile phone usage becomes ubiquitous in many parts of the world, it has evolved from being merely a telecom device to a personal organiser, a mobile TV and radio set, and even a game console on the move. With 90 million mobile phone users in India, the adoption of mobile entertainment is certainly in due course.

CP: Is the CommunicAsia2006 addressing mobile commerce's role in encouraging revenue growth in mature markets?

VW: True to its role in providing a wide showcase of technologies, mobile commerce is one of many applications that will be showcased at the event. Mobile commerce will enable revenue growth in mature markets in the long run. However, ultimately, the service provider, product retailer and most importantly the customer will decide as to when will it take off.

CP: What is the projected market for telecom services in Asia Pacific? Where is this growth likely to come from?

VW: According to International Data Corp (IDC), new technologies entering the telecom marketplace are redefining the industry. The telecom services market in Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) is projected to exceed US $170 billion, posting a growth of seven percent compared to last year. The research house adds that this growth is likely to come from VoIP, broadband and 3G services.

CP: How do you see the potential of IPTV/Mobile TV services in India?

VW: With India's rapidly increasing mobile subscriber base, which stands at over 90 million now, there could potentially be a faster adoption of mobile TV compared to IPTV. This is in line with the trend in Europe and Asia, while IPTV may take off faster in North America due to the region's high broadband penetration.