Mobile Services, Satellite Sovereignty - Key Themes For Myanmar's CommuniCast 2014

A host of operators, vendors and new investors in the mobile, satellite and broader ICT sectors will be converging in Myanmar next week (18-20 November 2014) for CommuniCast 2014. The event, which is the first major telecoms show in Yangon, will showcase the unique market opportunity as the country looks to achieve 80% telecoms penetration within just three years.

The event, organised by Bangkok Exhibition Services Ltd, members of the Allworld Exhibitions Alliance, celebrates the launch of mobile services in Myanmar with the theme of "Building Networks, Connecting Communities." It has attracted the participation of more than 90 companies across the mobile, satellite and telecommunications industry.

The Myanmar Government has also given its support with H.E.U Myat Hein, Union Minister, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, opening the event at Myanmar Event Park, Yangon, on Tuesday 18 November. In addition to the CommuniCast exhibition, the organisers are running a series of conferences and seminars including Mobile Seminars and the Satellite Forum.

Demonstrating the importance of the growing mobile industry in Myanmar, the Entrepreneur Institute of the planned Menander University Foundation will be running a series of mobile industry workshops on the 20th November. The "Mobile Services - New Engine for Economic Growth" seminar will cover topics ranging from the delivering of advanced mobile technology, to mobile money and also highlighting the importance of mobile apps. Supported by Myanmar Computer Federation, CommuniCast will be hosting a number of mobile app developers on the show floor.

In addition, jointly hosted by CommuniCast Myanmar and talk Satellite, the Myanmar Satellite Forum takes place on 19th November and will be the first opportunity for the satellite sector to present itself in force to the Myanmar telecoms industry. The country is expected to launch its own telecoms satellite within five years as it moves towards its aim of achieving satellite sovereignty.

Rupert Owen, Event Director, Overseas Exhibitions Services Ltd, said: "The timing of the show is ideal to celebrate the launch of Myanmar's new mobile networks and also provide a platform to the next phase of development in the country's ICT industry, which is likely to form a spur to major growth."

"We are delighted with the number of participating companies and the exciting breadth of topics that the event will cover," added Rupert Owen. "This is the first opportunity for many to really see the increasing demand and rapid development of the satellite and telecommunications industry in Myanmar."

Details about the event can be found at www.communicastmyanmar.com. Allworld Exhibitions is one of the world's leading groups of exhibition organisers, specialising in Asia and the Middle East. Through its affiliated ASEAN offices, CommuniCast Myanmar will be the group's sixth professional business to business industry event staged in 2014.

The Myanmar economy is expected to grow by 7.2% annually through to 2022, with the ICT industry seen to be a key catalyst in the country's development. The country's commitment to ICT is demonstrated by the setting up of an incubation hub under the auspices of the Myanmar Computer Federation.

Despite it being one of the world's most populous nations with a population of over 50 million, telephone penetration levels are amongst the lowest in the world - according to independent research company BuddeComm, mobile users in the region are thought to be at around 17% and internet and fixed line usage around 2%, but, with a Government target of 80% by 2016, the Myanmar market offers unequalled opportunities for investment and development.