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STC takes the leadat Arab Telecommunicationand Internet ForumAs part of its strategy tosupport the telecommunicationsindustry across theregion and display its thoughtleadership, STC sponsored theArab Telecommunication andInternet Forum (ATIF) thatwas held in Beirut June 2-3,2011. The two-day event drewTelecom Ministers and leadingtelecommunications personalitiesfrom across the region aswell as business leaders andspecialists from the industry.Ghassan Hasbani, CEO of InternationalOperations at STCsaid, “STC’s sponsorship of theForum is due to the importanceof information technology inthe Middle East.” He added,“STC has played a pioneeringrole in the field of informationtechnology and has given itgreat importance as part of itstelecommunications agendaand excelled by introducing thelatest in technology to customersworldwide, a step thatearned it market leadershipamong all telecom providers inthe region.The forum’s agenda includedthe changes that the IT andtelecommunications sectoris undergoing in light of theincreasing demand for newservices, including assessmentof needs, aspirations and consumptionpatterns of internetand mobile phone users at agrass roots level. Delegates alsodiscussed the nature and opportunitiesof modern telecombusiness models and analyzeddevelopments that havewitnessed changes includinginvestment, broadband development,the role of regulators,the needs of the modern digitalconsumer, digital security andother issues pertinent in thefield of telecommunicationsand information technology.At the Forum STC participatedTeletimes Reportwith a stand showcasing itsinternational investments.The stand was visited by theLebanese Minister of Telecommunications,Dr. Charbel Nahasand the Ambassador of theCustodian of the Two HolyMosques in Lebanon Mr. Alibin Saeed Aseeri as well asother ministers, officials, andother participants.Contd from page 17ment is expected to surge 42%this year. The Government isalso facilitating growth in keysectors by boosting foreigninvestment.Erik Aas, Chief Executive Officerof AXIS added, “Indonesia’stelecom industry is fast-growingand extremely dynamicwith mobile broadband usageconstantly on the rise. 50% ofIndonesia’s population is below30 years old, and the wholepopulation is adopting socialSaudi Telecom’s Indonesian subsidiary completes USD 1.2 billion financingnetworking applications ontheir mobile phones.”AXIS CEO further added,“With this funding milestonein place, AXIS is well set for itsexpansion into mobile broadbandand improved coveragenationwide. This financing willfully support our expansionplans for the next few years,and we are well prepared tofurther grow our market shareand revenues.”First launched its service inApril 2008, the companyprovides 2G, 3G and BlackBerryservices nationwide and internationally.Within only threeyears of its operations AXIShas 80% population coveragewith service available in morethan 400 cities spreading fromSumatera, Java, Bali, Lombok,Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Thecompany has passed 11 millionsubscribers who are servedthrough more than 120,000retail outlets, and doubled itsrevenues from 2009 to 2010.In recognition of its achievementfor 2010 in terms ofgrowth and expansion of itscustomer base, AXIS receivedBest Growth Story of the Yearfrom TMT Finance & InvestmentMiddle East Awards. Thecompany has also recently wontwo prestigious Selular Awardsin 2011 in “The Best MarketingProgram” and “The BestMobile Data Service for GSM”categories. T18 www.teletimesinternational.com15Jun - 14Jul 2011