Africa’s Internet sector is simultaneously facing challenges that could make many of its players more marginal, whilst at the same time seeing enormous potential opportunities opening up for it. This forum seeks to let participants know what might be about to happen and to offer a briefing on how to avoid being crushed by the larger players.

CDMA systems are currently being licensed and deployed in every African country. It is vitally important that operators, regulators, network developers and policy-makers keep abreast with the latest international developments of this technology, in order to specify and develop effective networks to meet the continent’s urgent communications roll-out.

Outsourcing & Contact Centres As an increasing number of African countries strive to set up world-class call centre and BPO operations there is a need to share knowledge on best practice in terms of business models and technology to develop effective customer contact centres, back-end support and processes. In addition, African enterprises and government departments need to adopt an outsourcing culture that will encourage the development of indigenous outsourcing capacity, which in turn can provide the foundation for a business process outsourcing industry to serve international markets. This SIG will serve the information and dialogue needs of entrepreneurs, operators, managers and call centre agents active in this expanding sub-sector.

Any general comments on Kenya events.

Any news/comments/suggestions for our Ugandan events.

Satellite communications continue to provide international and local links across the continent. Satellite technology, operators, service providers, regulation and business practices are rapidly evolving and it is vital for ICT managers and professionals to keep abreast of latest developments and trends. Exchange experience and knowledge with peers active in this area across the continent.

Tourism is a major foreign exchange earner for the continent. Effective ICT systems can increase worldwide marketing impact, improve quality of client service, increase profitability and retain higher levels of revenue on-shore. The Internet offers African airlines, tour operators, hotels and other tourism service providers the opportunity to market directly to the world tourism market. This Forum is intended to provide participants with information on latest trends in ICT deployment for the tourism and hospitality sector.

There is a compelling business and developmental case for extensive deployment of wireless communications across Africa, in response to the rapid increase in demand for affordable data and voice connectivity. Which wireless technology is most appropriate to provide both data and VoIP services to business, residential, government and developmental users in both rural and urban settings? This SIG will provide participants with answers to crucial technical and business questions, enabling them to make the right deployment decisions.