Convergence India 2011: A Platform for ICT Influencers

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in India has witnessed nonparallel growth over the last decade as compared to global standards. With implementation of 3G services underway and Mobile Number Portability (MNP) options being made available to end users shortly, the industry is poised to witness a series of changes.

India has quickly emerged as one of the fastest growing telecom markets in the world. A broad subscriber base nearing 723.28 mn and overall tele-density of 60.99% provides an apt environment to incubate NextGen applications and to develop value added services for overall socio-economic growth. With this, India enters an exciting phase of a mobile revolution.

According to International research firm Gartner, India will continue its robust telecom story with the total mobile service revenue projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% during 2009-2013 to exceed $30 bn. Mobile market penetration is (further) projected to increase from 38.7% in 2009 to 72.5% in 2012.

Keeping this in mind, Exhibitions India Group brings in 'Convergence India Expo' every year promoting the needs of the global ICT industry. The 19th edition of Convergence India 2011 Expo is being held from 24-26 March at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The event will feature over 500 exhibitors from 25 countries, and will include country pavilions from China, Germany, Japan, Korea and USA.

Adding a new flavor to the expo, this time the Expo integrates ICT and banking sector through 'Bank.net'. Leading bank vendors and firms dealing in automation, security and surveillance, currency processing systems, enterprise solutions, ATM manufacturers and risk management systems will participate and showcase their scaleable technologies and solutions at the co-located event.

Moving with time, the banking sector has incorporated use of technologies in ensuring secure access, data confidentiality and physical surveillance. Integration of services through mobiles has enabled fund houses to bank the un-banked. The potential of m-banking has further expanded with the launch of 3G and Broadband Wireless Acess (BWA).

Special tech zones for display of latest mobiles, green ICT products, value added services and broadcasting will bring innovative and environment-friendly business solutions to create an end-to-end supply chain eco-system.

With a continuous flow of high profile trade visitors including government officials, trade associations, regulatory bodies and media, the 19th Convergence India 2011 will be integrating ICT, broadcast and banking industry, buzzing with entrepreneurship and innovation covering all verticals of the ICT sector including 3G/4G LTE, mobility, cloud computing, broadband, WiMax, data center, digital TV, HDTV, m-commerce, m-banking, security solutions and ITeS/BPOs, etc.

It is supported by the Ministry of Communications & Information Technologies, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Department of Information Technologies (DiT), Government of India, and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.

A host of leading global associations including Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC); Association of Competitive Telecom Operators; CASBAA; CCAOI; CEAMA; CIO Klub; CMAI; COFI; ELCINA; Global VSAT Forum ; IFCCI ; Indian Cellular Association; IETE ; International Security Organization; IPV6 India Forum; IPTV India Forum; ISPAI; ITSMA; MAIT; Metro Ethernet Forum; MPEG Industry Forum; OSPAI; SNIA; TEMA; VSAI ; Wall Street Technology Association ;Wi-Fi Alliance; WiMax Forum, etc have also extended their support and endorsement to the event.

The event will provide an interactive and knowledge sharing platform to all the influencers of the telecom fraternity. Business matching and interactive workshops allow participants to derive maximum benefit from the proceedings.

Hena Ahmad
The author is group manager,
Exhibitions India Group
vadmail@cybermedia.co.in