Since the commercial launch of services in 2007, Telecom Review has followed du’s success and growth story in the one of the most penetrated telecom markets. Du has brought a new level of affordability, freedom and innovation to the UAE telecommunication’s scene. Our cover story for the last issue of 2009 highlights du’s efforts to reshape the UAE’s telecom scene through an interview with Mr. Osman Sultan, CEO of du.

You can hardly but notice that the December issue is rich in telecoms events’ coverage, reflecting Telecom Review’s extensive presence at the leading industry conferences and exhibitions all over the Middle East and Africa region.

This month, Telecom Review expands its horizon all the way to the African Market. We were present at the latest edition of AfricaCom congress which was held in Cape Town. AfricaCom attracted 4,000 attendees from 120+ countries who gathered to discuss the latest dynamics of the African telecommunications sector.

Two months ago, we raised the question: Will the economical crisis affect the number of visitors to GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK 2009? Apparently it didn’t, since GITEX 2009 defied the global downward trend in technology exhibitions, to record a very successful event that attracted around 133,708 trade visitors, a three percent increase on 2008 and the highest number of visitors to the show ever. Find in our pages all the GITEX mania.

SAMENA Telecommunications Council has concluded the year with its annual convergence meeting. Convergence to Istanbul 2009, themed “A Broadband Rising... With Efficiencies Maximizing Profitability”, closed successfully with a strong presence of leading telecom figures.

Also in this issue, take a look at a study conducted by Booz & Company that identifies the four trends shaping the telecom’s future after the downturn.

Finally, with 2009 ending, we look forward to discover what 2010 is hiding for us in terms of new trends, the economical situation and acquisitions in the ongoing changing, dynamic telecom sector.