THREE MIDDLE EAST TELECOM GROUPS SPEAK AT GSMA MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS

Dubai 21^st February 2011: Last week three telecom groups from the Middle East presented the future of the region’s telecom industry at the prestigious GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC) held in Barcelona from 14^th – 17^th February 2011.

The GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC) is the largest yearly gathering in the mobile industry attracting close to 50,000 mobile leaders from 200 countries. The conference agenda, featuring world leaders from the mobile technology and cell phone market, is the must-see event showcasing the world’s most innovative companies that are transforming and shaping the future of the telecom industry.  

 

Representing the Middle East’s fast growing market was regional telecom giant Saudi Telecom Company (STC), represented by Ghassan Hasbani, CEO for International. Also presenting was Etisalat, the UAE based regional telecom leader, represented by Chief International Investment Officer Jamal Jarwan. Additionally a presentation was done by FRiENDi GROUP, the only pan-regional Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in the Middle East & Africa was represented by Mikkel Vinter, CEO and Founder.

STC and Etisalat have both diversified operations in 2010, moving towards regional and international markets with a focus on expansion of telecommunication services in low penetration and emerging markets. Since first launching in Oman in April 2009, FRiENDi GROUP has established a growing regional footprint, with a launch in Jordan in June 2010, and most recently a B-brand partnership with Zain in Saudi Arabia.

Commenting on honour of speaking at the GSMA Mobile World Congress, Mikkel Vinter CEO, FRiENDi GROUP said; “As a up-and-coming company to showcase our strategy for the Middle East & Africa alongside two regional leaders such as STC and Etisalat is a testament to our long-term perspective and commitment to the region, and a source of pride for the entire FRiENDi GROUP team.”

The Mobile World Conference is the meeting place for world leaders in the mobile technology and cell phone market to gather, collaborate and network and was supported by the world’s top telecommunication leaders including key note speakers Eric Schmidt Chairman & CEO Google, Steve Ballmer CEO Microsoft, Stephen Elop President & CEO Nokia and Vittorio Colao Chief Executive Vodafone.