Leaders of the global ICT community to gather at ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006

Accredit now to be sure to be part of this crucial global event!

Geneva, 29 August 2006

"” ITU TELECOM WORLD

2006, the leading global ICT event, will be held in Hong Kong, China from 4-8 December. This is the first time this key networking event is being held away from its traditional home in Geneva. Top names from the world's major ICT companies including Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Intel, Alcatel, HP, Qualcomm, Samsung, Toshiba, Siemens and Motorola, and key policy makers, regulators and industry visionaries will come together to discuss new thinking and ideas for the future growth of ICT.

Under this year's theme, 'Living the Digital World', the event will explore of the concept of shared digital resources for access to the vast wealth of the world's knowledge, culture, education and learning. ITU Telecom WORLD 06 will focus on the technologies, companies and organizations that are driving this concept forward.

The event will encompass a dynamic Exhibition; a business-centered TELECOM VILLAGE; a content-rich Forum, including a Youth Forum; a Telecommunication Development Symposium; plus a host of networking opportunities and events. Mirroring the theme of the event will be the 'Digital Life Theatre', a dedicated stage where futuristic visions of the digital world will be presented.

'Today's ICT industry is brimming with potential "” helped by a healthy growth in sectors such as broadband or wireless, and the emergence of burgeoning new markets such as China and India', said Yoshio Utsumi, ITU Secretary-General. 'These exciting prospects have created a very positive industry climate in which to hold our WORLD event'.

The Show Floor will feature participants representing the full reach of the ICT industry, from leading global names to new market entrants. At its heart will be the TELECOM VILLAGE, a business networking hub set amid restaurants, cafÃ©s and open squares. The VILLAGE provides a calm, professional environment, one which is conducive to high-level discussions and meetings.

With so many major players present at the WORLD event, the opportunities for networking will be extensive. From strategically located gathering points to onsite lounges and a range of diverse networking events, there will be numerous opportunities for participants to meet and establish crucial business contacts.

The ITU TELECOM WORLD Forum will provide a packed programme of industry-critical debate and discussion. Confirmed keynote speakers include John Chambers, CEO, Cisco Systems; Serge Tchuruk, Chairman and CEO, Alcatel; Kaoru Yano, President, NEC Corporation; Dan Elron, Managing Partner, Communications Industry, Accenture; Tadashi Onodera, President, KDDI; and Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Information Society and Media.

The Forum will delve into the trends which are shaping the world's ICT future, and examine key growth areas such as new wireless services, triple play or digital content.

Reflecting the global scope of the event, some 600 Exhibitors from across the world are expected to take part along with up to 50 000 trade visitors from some 160 countries and 2 000 VIPs from 150 countries.