TELECOM will celebrate its 25th birthday in Rio. Americas TELECOM 96 is the 17th in the series of prestigious events which began with the first World TELECOM in Geneva in 1971.
The TELECOM formula - an exhibition showcasing the latest and best technology and a high-level forum on technical and strategic issues - has proved an enduring success.
The events are planned and coordinated by the TELECOM Secretariat of the International Telecommunication Union. ITU's special status in the telecommunications world sets them apart, ensuring the presence of senior government and industry figures.
World TELECOM, organized on a four year cycle, has strongly influenced the industry's development over the last two decades.
By the mid-1980s, there was growing demand for regional events which would take into account the challenges and opportunities of developing markets.
The focus of the first of these - held in Singapore in May 1985 - was the fast-growing Asia-Pacific telecommunications region. Since then, Singapore has played host to two further Asia TELECOMS, in 1989 and 1993.
Regional TELECOMs have
enjoyed considerable growth.
A 250% increase in exhibitors over
the 3 Asia events and more than
200% for Africa, with similar levels
expected for Americas.
The first Africa TELECOM followed in Nairobi in 1986, and the first Americas TELECOM in Rio in 1988. A special Europa TELECOM directed at that continent's emerging markets was held in Budapest in 1992.
Tom Dahl-Hansen, Executive Director of the TELECOM Secretariat, believes this global coverage of telecommunications markets is invaluable.
"TELECOM plays an essential part in developing the close relationships between suppliers, operators and governments that are so important in this sector. It has more than proved itself in this respect over the last 25 years."
The Executive Director believes that the pace of change in the industry and the prospect of increasingly open markets make it all the more important to keep in touch. "Quite simply, TELECOM brings people together like no other event."
The TELECOM team is already preparing for the next millenium. Planning is underway for regional events in 1997-1998 - and for the century's last World TELECOM in 1999.
The prestigious TELECOM events have attracted thousands of exhibitors and hundreds of thousands of visitors since 1971. They offer a unique focus for high level contact and for linking technology and ideas from around the world to regional needs.
Americas TELECOM 96 is set to build on the success of two earlier events. The first - in Rio in 1988 - introduced the TELECOM concept to the region.
This event and the one which followed in Acapulco in 1992 attracted exhibitors from around the world and visitors from throughout the Americas region.
Over 2,000 delegates participated at both conferences. The Forum theme in 1988 - "Shaping the Integrated Future"- created much influential debate around the development possibilities and investment opportunities in Latin American countries.
In Acapulco, the Forum included both a policy symposium - theme: "Towards the Next Millenium" - and a technical debate which centered on new technology solutions.
Americas TELECOM 96 will once again have separate conferences on strategy and technology. A high-level advisory committee is currently working on the Forum programme, and themes and keynote speakers will be announced later this year.
The Forum will run throughout the week and is scheduled in such a way as to allow delegates to visit the exhibition and exhibitors to attend individual Forum sessions.
Geneva, June 12th, 1995: Dr. Pekka Tarjanne, Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union and Dr. Sergio Vieira da Motta, Minister of Communications of the Federative Republic of Brazil completed the formalities for the ITU acceptance of Brazil's invitation to host Americas TELECOM 96. Mr. Jean Jipguep, Chairman, TELECOM Board, and Mr. Tom Dahl-Hansen, Executive Director, TELECOM, were also present. The signing ceremony at the ITU headquarters also provided the first opportunity to discuss regional telecommunications issues with the minister who took office in the newly formed Brazilian administration in January of this year.