The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) sponsored the conference and exhibition of the Middle East Communications (MECOM) 2011, which was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre during 16 -18 May 2011.

The 2011 conference witnessed a significant and increasing participation of major and leading telecommunications operators in the region, as well as from the international sphere, which indeed demonstrated the importance of this event in providing a forum to exchange views on one hand, and the importance of the UAE as a hub in the region for telecommunication and information sectors.

Commenting on the sponsorship, H.E. Majed Almesmar, TRA Deputy Director General said: “The ICT sector is a major contributor to the UAE national economy.   In 2010, the telecommunications sector contributed 5.5% to GDP in the UAE, this being direct contribution consisting of revenues earned by Etisalat and du who collectively share: 10.9 million mobile subscribers, 1.6 million fixed telephony subscribers (including double-play and tipple-play customers) and 1.4 million internet service subscribers generating some AED 24.3 billion in revenues between them.”

“therefore, our sponsorship of this event comes within the frame of our vision and mission of the TRA which reflects the insight of the UAE leadership of a modern and edge-cutting telecommunications sector in the country that would walk hand in hand with the image and reputation our country has as a contemporary and modern in both regional and international levels.” He added.

The TRA supports the over-reaching vision of the Government, and the TRA’s vision is reflects an optimal enabling environment in which the UAE’s ICT sector will emerge as a leader in the global market place. Therefore, the TRA strives for excellence, by the application of the best practices in the field of telecommunication and information, and continue to update this sector as H.H Sheik Mohammad Rashid said: “the race for excellence has no finish line”.

H.E. Al Mesmar stressed that: ”MECOM and other events organized by the UAE are clear examples of the pioneer role played by the Emirates in the telecommunications sector in our region and the world. They embody our continued commitment to providing the best services in the telecommunications sector to all users and stakeholders in this field."

The conference manifested our vision is to emerge as a leader in the global market place.  This can be achieved by fostering a culture of excellence at all levels, ensuring an optimal regulatory framework designed: to allow competition to develop, to promote the readiness of eServices, and to protect the interests of consumers, whilst encouraging innovation and development in services and infrastructure.

The UAE shared during the conference with the participants some highlights related to its initiatives in the field of telecommunications and information, such as the development of competition in fixed-line infrastructure through technologies such as bitstream access, carrier pre-selection, and passive infrastructure sharing, the development of further competition in the mobile sector through initiatives such as mobile site sharing, and mobile number portability, the development of competition in satellite services:  Thuraya has been providing services for some years, and following the recent launch of its satellite, Yahsat will soon be competing with Thuraya in the supply of these specialist services, the development of a competition framework, involving market definitions, competition assessment and development of appropriate measures and remedies to further the growth of competition, the dot Emarat – to administer Arabic domain names, which in-turn will influence development of, and growth in, Arabic content and the development of the ICT fund.