Irish mobile companies exhibit at French expo
A huge delegation of Irish mobile communication companies are to exhibit their products at the world’s largest event for the industry in France this week, it was confirmed today.
Michael Ahern, a junior minister with responsibility for trade, will be heading the 19-strong group for the three-day, 3GSM World Congress and Exhibition, in Cannes in Southern France.
“This is a fast-growing industry with a market valued at over €300bn in 2003 and projected to grow to over €500bn by 2010,” the TD said.
“This growth will be driven by a huge increase in data services and the emergence of developing markets.”
Mr Ahern, who is a Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said this would be a good chance for Irish wireless technology companies to meet with key buyers from other regions.
The 3GSM annual show, which begins today, will see over 28,000 telecoms experts from over 173 countries attend. Around 11% of the delegates hail from the Asia and Far East regions which have growing mobile markets and 25% of visitors are estimated to have a purchasing budget of over €45m.
GSM is the global system for mobile communications and is the pan-European standard for digital telephone systems.
“The Irish Government is fully committed to the continued development of a strong, highly innovative and export-led mobile communications industry in Ireland,” Mr Ahern said.
The trip was backed by Enterprise Ireland which has worked to support investment in around 40 companies in the mobile communications area.
Aengus Wright of Cape Technologies said: “Based on our past experience of this event, this is the place to be if you are a business operating in the mobile telecoms industry and seeking maximum exposure to GSM operators and potential partners in this sector.”
The sales director said that the strong contacts made during previous years at the show had helped to grow the business.
The Irish Pavilion at the event will have information on products including mobile music, billing products and messaging equipment.
