As new technologies drive competition in the telecommunications industry, the 8th Arab Telecom & Internet Forum (ATIF 2006) will examine new business models designed to enable operators to achieve and maintain sustainability in the region. To compete against regional expansion and new rivals, telecom operators are shifting focus from connectivity and traffic management to delivering cost-effective new services.

Oman's privatization of its telecom service provider with the sale of 30% of the equity capital in Omantel sets the stage for ATIF 2006 to promote new investment opportunities in the Sultanate and the region.

Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group, ARABSAT and the Arab regional office of the International Telecommunication Union, in partnership with Omantel, organize the 8th Arab Telecom & Internet Forum (ATIF 2006), to be held in Muscat at the Shangri-La's Resort Hotel on May 24-26 2006.

Industry leaders will convene at the Forum to discuss these new trends and their challenges, as well as numerous other issues affecting the industry.Concerned parties include incumbent and challenger operators, content providers and aggregators, government and regulatory agencies, suppliers and independent experts.

ATIF2006 Highlights

• The state of telecom competition in the Arab world
• Investment activities and cross-border moves
• Broadband deployment and future growth potential
• The challenges facing Telecom CEOs in the new phase of market development: assessing strategies of regional and international expansion, technology strategy and how to grow revenues and profitability in increasingly competitive markets
• Regulatory issues
• Wireless technologies and mobility
• The next generation in satellite communications
• Telecom and media convergence: how fast is the region catching up with this trend?
• The role of Internet Cities in developing ICT in the Arab world
• Internet content and applications in the information age

By participating in ATIF 2006, you will be privy to the latest developments and technologies affecting your industry as detailed by the decision-makers themselves.