ICT executives from 15 countries to convene in Amman next month

AMMAN — Some 500 senior executives in the telecom and technology field are scheduled to convene in Amman in June to look into ICT trends and growth strategies in the region.

During the two-day 11th Convergence Summit 2014, which opens on June 2, around 40 speakers from 15 countries will discuss next generation broadband networks, online and broadcast media, and payment solutions in mobile commerce and e-commerce, said Jawad Abbassi founder and general manager of the Arab Advisers Group, which is organising the event.

Sessions will also cover satellite platforms’ role in the convergence ecosystem, and the policies required to ensure timely and sufficient investments in infrastructure, he said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Zain Jordan CEO Ahmed Hanandeh told reporters that the summit plays a key role in highlighting the importance of integrating telecom with media in increasing the flow of information between different communities and improving the level of services. 

The summit, which will be held under the patronage of HRH Princess Sumaya, president of the Royal Scientific Society, comes amidst changing dynamics of telecom use and media consumption in the Arab world.

By May 2014, eight countries in the region have had some deployment of LTE networks for wireless broadband technology with more countries in line to start offering these services in the near future, according to a statement released by the Arab Advisers Group.

Moreover, fibre optics- based services are picking up in the region, with the majority of countries in the Arab world having the necessary infrastructure, and cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha are leading the way, the statement said.

With regard to media consumption patterns, pay TV adoption is growing in the Arab world — the number of subscribers exceeded 12 million by the end of 2013, and Arab Advisers Group projects it to reach 18.8 million by the end of 2017.