Leaders of World’s Largest Communications Companies to Address Critical Business Challenges at the 2009 GSMA Mobile World Congress
mobile industry, today announced that it is bringing together executives of
the world’s largest and most influential mobile operators, software companies,
equipment providers, Internet companies and media and entertainment
organizations at the 2009 GSMA Mobile World Congress to be held
Microsoft Corp., MySpace, Nokia, NTT DOCOMO, Telefonica, Telenor, Verizon
Communications and Vodafone will address head-on the challenges presented by
the global economic slowdown and will outline strategies for sustaining
growth.
“We are living in an era of unprecedented and rapid change. Set against a
backdrop of the financial crisis, wildly-fluctuating stock markets and a broad
economic slowdown, the 2009 edition is set to be the most compelling Mobile
World Congress yet,” said
“By bringing together the leaders of companies across the broad communications
sector, we’ll be able to gain further insight into the significant challenges
presently facing our industry, but more importantly, we’ll focus on how we can
leverage mobility to create new opportunities, and drive productivity and
prosperity going forward.”
Under the theme of “Think Forward”, the Mobile World Congress will explore
the impact of the economic crisis, as well as focus on issues critical to the
development of the communications industry, including the adoption of advanced
mobile broadband technologies, such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE), the shift to
an open mobile ecosystem, and the proliferation of mobile entertainment and
advertising services. Widely recognised as the mobile industry’s must-attend
event, the Mobile World Congress will showcase mobile products and services
from approximately 1,300 companies.
Keynote speakers for the 2009 Mobile World Congress include:
-- Ralph de la Vega, President and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer
Markets
-- Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft Corp.
-- Chris DeWolfe, CEO and Co-founder, MySpace
-- Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, President and CEO, Nokia Corporation
-- Ryuji Yamada, President and CEO, NTT DOCOMO
-- Cesar Alierta, Executive Chairman, Telefonica
-- Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President and CEO, Telenor Group
-- Dick Lynch, EVP and CTO, Verizon Communications
-- Vittorio Colao, Chief Executive, Vodafone
Last week, the GSMA announced that Academy Award-winning actor
Spacey
will host the MOFILM Mobile Short Film Festival as part of the Congress.
Mobile World Congress Garners Broad Industry Support
“The upcoming Mobile World Congress will provide a great opportunity to
take an in-depth look at the critical role that communications technologies
can play in helping companies address the difficult economic issues we face
today,” said
economic uncertainty as a backdrop, this is also a particularly important time
for leaders from the communications, media, and IT industries to come together
to discuss strategies that will enable us to drive future innovation and
ensure long-term success.”
“We have an unprecedented opportunity to fully realize the potential of
mobile technologies to drive economic growth. The Mobile World Congress will
help showcase that opportunity by highlighting innovative mobile products,
applications and services capable of boosting the productivity and efficiency
of both individuals and companies worldwide,” said
and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.
“A truly global event, the Mobile World Congress is an invaluable and very
efficient way to meet with industry leaders and government officials from
across the world,” said Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President and CEO, Telenor Group.
“I am looking forward to discussing how our industry and regulatory
authorities can work together to further enhance the positive role that mobile
services can play in driving economic growth.”
“Increasingly international and local communities are benefiting from the
power of mobile broadband to communicate faster and more effectively,” said
placed to contribute more to society, whether it is helping the unbanked to
make secure payments, ensuring that businesses gain and maintain a competitive
edge or simply enriching the lives of customers and their families.”
The GSMA today also announced LG Electronics as the Platinum Event Sponsor
for Mobile World Congress 2009. For more information on the Mobile World
Congress, please see: http://www.mobileworldcongress.com
About the GSMA
The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade association representing
more than 750 GSM mobile phone operators across 218 countries and territories
of the world. The Association’s members represent more than 3 billion GSM and
3GSM connections – over 86% of the world’s mobile phone connections. In
addition, more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association’s
initiatives as key partners. The primary goals of the GSMA are to ensure
mobile phones and wireless services work globally and are easily accessible,
enhancing their value to individual customers and national economies, while
creating new business opportunities for operators and their suppliers.
For more information, please visit http://www.gsmworld.com
SOURCE GSM Association