Mecom 2010, a leading telecom exhibition and conference which concluded recently in Abu Dhabi, attracted more than 3,800 trade visitors thus registering a six per cent rise when compared to last year, said the organisers.

The event was a big success with many exhibitors keen to tap the business opportunities in the region mainly in mobile value-add services and promises of investmeent in ICT infrastructure, remarked Jim Meltz, group director of IIR Middle East.

The leaders of regional ICT businesses were optimistic about growth potential of mobile value-add services with the UAE investing Dh9.5 billion ($2.58 billion) into the telecom sector, he pointed out.

"Although mobile revenues will continue to grow, according to feedback at the show, industry professionals were extremely upbeat about the prospects for mobile value-add services such as broadband and bundled packages which combine TV, internet and telephone," he noted.

"The FIFA World Cup in South Africa for example is currently driving more consumer awareness of this," he added.

According to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), in 2009 internet subscribers rose by 17 per cent but more significantly, revenues increased by 46 per cent, a clear indication of the demand for broadband and other mobile applications.

This is driving investment, which last year totalled Dh9.54 billion and brings the total over the last three years to over Dh25 billion.

A total of 31 countries were represented at the event, which was held under the patronage of Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy. More than 100 companies took part in Mecom, now in its fourth year.

ICT partner Etisalat described its Mecom participation as a “roaring success”, following a large number of visitors to its stand. It was a sentiment echoed by many exhibitors, including Mahaboob Basha from UAE-based Blue Dot.

“Mecom 2010 was a great success in our quest to meet many potential clients and get our name out the Middle Eastern markets. Our range of partners and solutions was well received by the high quality crowds at the show and we expect many new business relationships to flower from the show. Blue Dot will certainly be looking at participating on a bigger scale in 2011,” Basha said.

Masoud Bassiri from Consistel, a Singapore-based global wireless software solutions provider and system integrator, said: “The event has proved to be an excellent networking platform for organisations like us looking to gain insights, develop contacts and to do business in the region. We received a good response and publicity at the event.”

For many companies, including UAE-based Quickinfa, it was their debut show.

“The exhibition has been very successful for us and we will definitely come back next year. We have made some good contacts and had some serious inquires,” said Sanjay U Kavalekar of Quickinfa.

The CEO Summit held on the sidelines of the event was particularly well represented with 276 delegates – twice the number of last year’s event, featuring 35-plus speakers from the region’s fixed and mobile operators, internet services providers, regulators and suppliers.-TradeArabia News Service