teletekwire ? Umniah sponsors 9th Convergence Summit

As Jordan?s fastest growing mobile telecom operator and a key player in the development of the Kingdom?s communications and information technology sector, Umniah sponsored the 9th Convergence Summit, which was held in Amman on the 22nd and the 23rd of May 2012. The Summit, which was held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya Bint Al Hassan, Chair of Al Hassan Scientific Society and President of the Royal Society, was organized by the Arab Advisors Group, and was attended by over 500 individuals and representatives of the media and communications sectors who were coming together to discuss development strategies and opportunities.

As a sponsor and exclusive internet service provider to the Summit, Umniah representatives were participating in a number of panel discussions and activities. Mr. Ihab Hinnawi, CEO of Umniah, took part in the summit opening session on the global industry trends and the future of ICT sector, citing real examples and studies from international markets. Hinnawi stressed in the session that the Jordanian communications sector is witnessing a significant transformation, saying, ?as is the case in many countries around the world, we find ourselves today at a point where the importance of telecom services shifts from ordinary communication services that include voice services and short text messages to a focus on broadband high speed internet services and accompanying value added services?.

In his elaboration on the current stabilization of demand for voice services compared with internet services, Hinnawi pointed out that, according to the figures of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, broadband internet services, with the various ADSL, WiMAX and 3G technologies, have grown by 78% to approximately 617 thousand subscriptions at the end of 2011, compared with 346 thousand subscriptions at the end of 2010.

Mohammad Alawneh, Enterprise and Data Solutions Manager at Umniah, also participated in the Summit through a presentation on the revolution of cloud computing, which is set to be the new face of technology solutions, and for which Umniah has been a pioneer in the Jordanian ICT market. On his participation, Alawneh said, ?The increase in PCs and smartphones has led to increased demand for broadband internet services in the Arab countries. Therefore, we are witnessing a technological revolution headed towards cloud computing, which will certainly be an economic catalyst and should catapult the communications and information technology world to new and advanced phases?.

On his part, and commenting on Umniah?s sponsorship of the event and its provision of exclusive internet services, Mr. Jawad Abbassi, Founder and GM of the Arab Advisors Group, said, ?Umniah?s participation with us at the Convergence Summit is a qualitative addition to the event due to the expertise and knowledge they bring with them as pioneers in the communications sector in Jordan. We are grateful and appreciative of their support and their willingness to provide services and solutions to the Summit and its attendees. We look forward to renewing this partnership in the future and to receiving Umniah?s support, to which we are accustomed?.

As part of its participation, Umniah also shed light on the challenges facing the sector today, citing the difficulty experienced by mobile operators in bridging the gap in revenues and financial returns, which is the consequence of stabilizing or possibly reduced demand for traditional GSM services. Hinnawi stressed that the solution lies in finding alternative methods for increasing revenues. He pointed out some of these methods, the most important being the innovation of cellular internet solutions such as banking and educational services and mobile advertising, in addition to focusing on digital advertising (based on the internet and mobile phones) to increase revenues, and enhancing Arabic applications, content and social media sites.

The Convergence Summit is considered by Umniah as a significant and ideal platform for the Company to address the various challenges, opportunities and developments facing the Kingdom?s ICT sector today, and is seen as a unique opportunity for deliberations and collaborations among major stakeholders and industry players.

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