The programme for Tel.Com Africa 2002, an initiative of the Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA) and Electronics Industries Federation (EIF), is nearing completion. The event, which is being held from 23-25 October at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, will feature an industry exhibition and three-day conference alongside.
The exhibition, organised by Reed Exhibitions, has drawn participation from sectors including telecommunications, mobile and wireless communications, satellite communication, IT networking, and broadcasting.
Inaugural speakers at the co-located conference include Gerard Dega, VP Alcatel France and member of Thabo Mbeki's Presidential Task Force, Andrew Barrett, former US Federal Commissioner on Communications, as well as top management from South Africa's fixed line and cellular operators who will address future strategies and plans.
The second and third days have been split into three tracks. Track A will cover Mobile and Wireless, Access Solutions and Multimedia; Track B will cover Policy and Regulations, Internet Protocols, and New and Emerging Technologies; and Track C will cover a Skills Development Forum, Youth Summit, and New Communication Routes into Africa.
Several new innovations are planned to make this year's event more far reaching and influential. The Swedish Trade Council is hosting a strong delegation from the mobile and wireless industry in Sweden, while the ISETT SETA is hosting the Skills Development Forum and Youth Summit.
"With the planned second fixed line operator licence due to be issued, the opening up of the market with new regulations and policy, the new eCommerce Bill and the controversy over control of the SA Internet domain, we have much to debate and address to make Tel.Com Africa 2002 maintain its position as the most influential event in the telecommunications industry in Southern Africa," says Peter Aspinall, immediate past president of the CSSA and managing director of conference organisers, SBS Conferences.
For more information about the conference, gala dinner and sponsorship opportunities, contact Peter Aspinall, SBS Conferences, peter@sbs.co.za
For more information about the exhibition and promotional opportunities, contact Aldean Prior, Reed Exhibitions, aldeanp@reedexpo.co.za. Also see www.teldotcom.org.za
