Emerging markets have always been fertile ground for the provision of mobile satellite services (MSS), but in recent years the Middle East and Africa has proven to be a particularly robust backdrop for an industry, which 10 years ago was forecast to have little commercial future. Comm. reviews the path being carved by a number of the leading MSS players, and highlights to what level the MEA region is assisting in helping raise the industry to greater heights

At the beginning of August, Inmarsat reported total revenues for the six months to end-June amounted to US$485.5 million, up 70.8 per cent year-on-year. EBITDA was up 31.5 per cent to US$264.1 million, and the mobile satellite services provider announced the highest quarterly growth in Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) subscribers in Q208 of 3,400.

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As second quarter shipments of BlackBerry smartphones in the EMEA jumped almost 65 per cent year-on-year, Khaled Kefel, Research In Motion’s sales director for the Middle East, tells Michelle Mills why this region offers significant opportunities for the Canadian manufacturer. Kefel also confirms plans to open a RIM office in Dubai before year-end

Sales director Khaled Kefel says RIM is making a conscious move to be more appealing to everyday consumers and widen BlackBerry’s core subscriber base. The company will open an office in Dubai before year-end

It is only a matter of time before a satellite office is established to serve as a hub for the GCC,” Khaled Kefel, Research In Motion’s (RIM) sales director for the Middle East told Comm. on a visit to Dubai last month.

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South Korean-based handset manufacturers Samsung and LG were the two standout performers in terms of growth in the second quarter; respectively occupying second and fourth place in global handset shipment rankings. Michelle Mills speaks with the general managers of the region for each manufacturer to ascertain the root of their success and their strategies for gaining ground against the market leader

LG’s Mohamad El-Yassir says the company’s restructuring of the mobile devices unit in the Middle East will reap rewards and carry on the momentum gained in other markets

For Mohamad El-Yassir, LG’s general manager for the mobile devices unit in MEA, the company’s handset business is on the verge of a breakthrough in the region. Having surpassed Sony Ericsson in the first quarter of this year for the fourth placed ranking in global handset sales, LG’s focus is now shifting to the Middle East and Africa in order to mirror the success the manufacturer has achieved in North America, Europe and South Korea.

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Many believe that the mobile industry is one of the most dynamic businesses in the world, but is that really the case? In reality, isn’t the mobile industry’s biggest threat all the taboos that lurk just behind the achievements people often talk about?

John Strand, founder and CEO of Strand Consult

It is one thing to talk about the many possibilities in the mobile industry, but if you do not also talk about the challenges the industry is facing, the lack of debate will become a divide that will prevent the dynamic development of the industry. We have spent a number of years identifying and analysing the 10 largest taboos in the mobile industry, in order to be able to help our customers increase their future success. We know the industry’s possibilities very well – but we also believe it is very important to focus on the industry’s taboos.

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Celebrating its third year of establishment, GULFCOMMS 2008, commencing October 19 gathers the global communications sector in Dubai. Throngs of solution and technology providers will be present, showing their wares and trying to cut a deal. Comm. looks at a few examples of what interesting developments a number of exhibitors shall be showcasing

Broadband network provider Green Packet has established the first dedicated WiMAX consultancy in the Middle East, in collaboration with a global division of its sister company Packet One Networks (Malaysia) also known as P1.

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