Middle East, North Africa most dynamic satellite markets: Study
Monday, 22 December 2008, 23:17 IST
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Dubai: The Middle East and North Africa have become one of the most dynamic emerging markets for satellite broadcast, according to a new study. Nearly 100 percent of satellite transponders in the region are being used, the study conducted by Euroconsult and the London Satellite Exchange, said. The upward trend of the satellite market was stimulated by the growing demand from the media, telecom, and military users in the region, WAM reported Sunday. The demand for transponder has risen 12 percent annually in the last five years, while commercial satellite-lease revenues have grown by an average 17 percent annually since 2003, reaching $752 million in 2007, Euroconsult estimated. According to the report, 42 percent of Ku-band satellite usage in the Middle East and North Africa (abbreviated as MENA) were from television and radio broadcasts, while the rest of the usage were from voice and data traffic. Highlighting the growth of the satellite market, the Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the Cabsat MENA - the third largest global digital media event - will launch a new dedicated trade event, Satellite MENA. Satellite MENA will deliver a networking platform to explore business opportunities, formulate strategies and create partnerships for video, voice, data and IP communications over satellite, the report said. Helal Saeed Almarri, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Dubai World Trade Centre, said: "The launch of Satellite MENA will provide a dedicated business forum for those interested in the satellite sectors. We are delighted to have the support from some of the market's leading associations." "Holding Cabsat MENA and Satellite MENA side by side will allow us to be more targeted in our approach," he added. These two events in the future are expected to attract nearly 10,000 visitors from more than 100 countries during the exhibition. Fifty countries with 650 companies participated during the Cabsat MENA 2008.
Source: IANS
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