Telecomp Maroc 2006 officially opened by Minister Rachid Talbi El Alami

Nokia, ZTE and Huawei sponsored the first-ever showcase of the liberalized Moroccan telecom market

Held from 4-7 of April 2006 at the Casablanca International Fairgrounds, the 5th International CIT and Digital Lifestyle Event Telecomp Maroc 2006 again confirmed its position as the major event for the Moroccan telecom and IT business community.

Enjoying the official support of the Moroccan Ministry of Economic and General Affairs, Department of Posts and CIT, Telecomp Maroc 2006 saw Nokia as the official sponsors. Major sponsors were ZTE, senior sponsors Huawei.

With an audience of some 5,000 visitors Telecomp Maroc 2006 was the platform for business and exchange for many major players in the industry. Market leaders such as AEBDM, Alcatel, Cimelect, Ericsson, Eutelsat, FBR Maroc, Huawei, IPM Group, Meditel, Mega Hissotto, Megatel, Micro Distribution, Nera Networks, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Thomson Cirpack, U3Com, Ultranet and ZTE were among the exhibitors.

Minister Rachid Talbi El Alami officially inaugurated Telecomp Maroc. The minister also held the Keynote Opening Welcome Address “Stratégie e-Maroc 2010”.

A two-day senior executive conference examining “Stratégie e-Maroc 2010” with a special focus on Broadband developments, challenges, services and applications was held alongside Telecomp Maroc 2006.

Telecomp Maroc 2006 was the showcase, where, for the very first time, the liberalized Moroccan telecom environment could be experienced.

A competitive business environment, already realized for the 2G mobile market, is being implemented in Morocco during 2006 also for the fixed, with then three fixed-line operators being operational. Maroc Telecom, Médi Télécom and Maroc Connect are committed to ensuring competition in this very important segment, and to introduce latest technologies.

In addition, a beauty contest for the attribution of three UMTS-licences is going on during 2006. A third 2G licence may be awarded by 2007.

The entry of two new service providers Médi Télécom and Maroc Connect for the fixed, and the three future UMTS service providers, mark an important milestone in the liberalization process of the Moroccan telecom market and create a new dynamic of the market regarding these services. The result: excellent chances for business for both, telecom service providers and the vendors of telecom products alike.