Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks Prepare for Growth of Telecommunications in Africa at CTO RoundtableTelecommunications Technology will in the Coming Years Have a
Profound Impact on Many Societies in Africa, Contributing Largely to the
Economic Growth and Wealth of Millions of People on the Continent.
This Development, and Issues Related to the Regulatory Environment
Supporting the Foreseen Growth, will be the Major Themes of the
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation’s (CTO) European-African
Telecommunications Roundtable in Helsinki and Bonn, a Meeting That Will
Bring Together Leading Decision Makers From Africa, Europe and the Telecoms
Industry
The CTO meeting will assemble high-level telecommunications officials
from the organisation’s African member countries, with participants
representing communications ministries and regulators from Ghana, Kenya,
Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. Officials
from Finnish and German government and industry will also take part.
The roundtable is built around themes including the telecommunications
ecosystem: the socio-economic impact of information and communication
technology (ICT) and telecommunications, case studies from countries
including Finland, and how similar development can be encouraged in New
Growth Markets; and Europe-Africa cooperation, including European ICT
initiatives in Africa and project financing.
Nokia Siemens Networks and Nokia are playing a key role in the meeting,
contributing speakers and engaging in the dialogue that aims to increase
understanding between the two continents, initiate concrete projects and
lay the foundation for future discussions.
“While people around the world share the universal desire to connect
with others, Nokia has dedicated itself to develop an unparalleled insight
into the specific needs and aspirations of individuals in emerging markets.
Less than a month ago, Nokia launched seven new phones based on this
in-depth understanding, which are not only designed to be accessible to
these consumers, but to also help spark development within the communities
that they live and work,” said Veli Sundback, executive vice president of
corporate relations and responsibility for Nokia.
“By 2015 we expect five billion people will be connected by wire and
wirelessly from one end of the planet to the other, and the clear majority
of these people will come from new growth markets in Asia and Africa. We
are committed to connecting the world, and this event is an excellent
opportunity to engage key stakeholders to help make this vision a reality,”
said Lauri Kivinen, head of corporate affairs, Nokia Siemens Networks.
The CTO European/African Telecommunications Roundtable will run from
May 28-31 in Helsinki, and then continues until June 1 in Bonn.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and
growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. Nokia
makes a wide range of mobile devices and provides people with experiences
in music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games and business
mobility through these devices. Nokia also provides equipment, solutions
and services for communications networks.
About Nokia Siemens Networks
Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of communications
services. The company provides a complete, well-balanced product portfolio
of mobile and fixed network infrastructure solutions and addresses the
growing demand for services with 20,000 service professionals worldwide.
The combined pro-forma net sales of EUR17.1 billion in fiscal year 2006
make Nokia Siemens Networks one of the largest telecommunications
infrastructure companies. Nokia Siemens Networks has operations in some 150
countries and is headquartered in Espoo, Finland. It combines Nokia’s
Networks Business Group and the carrier related businesses of Siemens
Communications.
