Vivid International Interest at Strategic's 2nd TELECOMS Forum 2001
Greece as New Center for Telecom Evolvements

Athens, October 22 2001. Intense international character and many participants from European and Eastern Mediterranean countries where the main characteristics of Strategic International's 2nd TELECOMS Forum, which began on Monday 22nd of October.
Though its two days of proceedings, this international meeting for Telecommunications in Greece, Southern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean, gives the opportunity to Greece to become a center of Telecommunication evolvements in the broader region, where the international community has the chance to closely monitor the latest evolvements and Telecom trends at their birth.
Now at its second year of life, "Strategic's 2nd S.E.Europe TELECOMS Forum 2001" has crossed the geographical borders of its region and is evolving to an important multinational Telecommunication event.
"The remarkable number of international participants and speakers, the approximately 300 participants, the more than 40 distinguished speakers, as well as the support of the Telecom industry, along with the superb quality agenda, are some of the key elements of this conference, despite the global conjecture in the New Economy." stated Mr. Kostas Kataras, CEO of Strategic International SA.

New Telecom Strategies for Everybody

Main conclusion of the conference proceedings and the speakers' presentations was the need to redefine the telecom strategies if all telecom involved parties, as the recession in High Tech brought up a matter of viability and profitability in the use of new technologies.
On the one hand, the users seek the increase of corporate efficiency through the use of advanced Telecommunication tools, as globalization intensifies competition for them.
On the other hand, the Telecom sector is looking for new profitable business directions, with around the corner results that will allow their survival and confirmation of the high expectations from the Telecommunication Sector.
On the parallel, policy makers and organizations are in a constant quest for the appropriate framework that allows the harmonic growth of Telecommunications, at a time when global economic development strongly depends on the High Tech industry.
These new needs demand, among others, the creation of cooperation networks at geographical levels, one of the trends revealed at Strategic International's forum.
The Telecom Markets of the region are now at a state of rearrangements, especially the recently liberalized Greek Fixed Telephony Market, as shown on Graph 1, which is thoroughly analyzed in a relevant presentation at the forum.


Graph 1:
Positioning of Greek Telecom Service Providers, 2001


Source: Strategic International/K.Kataras S.A.


Greece at an International Telecommunication Role

Through the vivid international interest expressed for Strategic International S.A.'s 2nd TELECOMS Forum 2001, which included participants from Greece, Turkey, Germany, Israel, United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Cyprus and France, a new international role of Greece concerning Telecommunication activities is brought up, aided by the country's geographical position and participation in the EMU.
Moreover, the broader region has an installed telephony base exceeding 113 million lines, even though telephony penetration in these markets is still low.


Graph 2:
Total Penetration of Telephony - S.E.Europe, 2000 (lines per 100 inh.)


Source: ISPO-ESIS II, Strategic International/K.Kataras S.A.


While though S.E.Europe shows some rather satisfactory penetration rates, some countries of Eastern Mediterranean still remain at very low levels, presenting thus unique business opportunities.

Graph 3:
Total Penetration of Telephony - Eastern Mediterranen, 2000 (lines per 100 inh.)


Source: ISPO-ESIS II, Strategic International/K.Kataras S.A.


Unique Characteristics of TELECOMS Forum 2001

Some of the unique characteristics of the Forum, which differentiate it from similar efforts,are:
- Its agenda, which focuses on the latest trends and technological evolvements, result of perfect comprehension and handling of New Economy content, as a result of a 20 year long research program in the IT & Telecom sectors of the region.
- The creation of actual business opportunities, with the involvement of the forum participants.
- The specialization of Strategic International S.A., a Digital Economy consultant for more than 20 years, in IT, Telecommunications and New Technologies.
- The one-stop-shop Telecom solutions packaging, as part of a broader strategy of the company, which includes: Consulting Services, Market Research, Publications, Conferences and Education at an international level.
- The exploitation of international opportunities, as a result of the activities of Strategic International that cover Southern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean. The multinational activities of the company are part of its general internationalization strategy, which includes: physical presence in many countries, constant research, distinguished contacts and the strong brand name of the company.
- Exclusive informing on the latest developments and strategic directions of the sector, as important announcements are made at the context of the conference.
- Rich forum accompanying material, useful tool at the hands of the user, like an always up-to-date web site, a CD ROM containing the presentations and results of the forum, as well as a forum Report.
For more information: http://www.strategic.gr/events/telecomsforum2001

About Strategic International S.A.

Strategic International SA (www.strategic.gr) is a Strategy Consulting firm specializing in Telecommunications, Information Technologies, New Media and the Digital Economy. The company has deep knowledge in the field, based on Market Research, Creative Analyses, International Customers and a strong network of partners in Europe. Main services include: Consulting, Market Research, e-business, Publications and Events.

For More Information:
Tel: 0030 10 7229571
e-mail: stratgc@otenet.gr