According to the GSMA, the growth is driven by two primary sources: the integration of mobile into previously unconnected devices and subscriber additions in emerging markets. Ways of sustaining this growth will be explored at the Mobile World Congress taking place from 16 - 19 February in Barcelona.
"As we enter 2009, the world is in the midst of a broad economic slowdown, one that is impacting every facet of business, every link in the communications value chain. To address the significant challenges facing the global economy, the GSMA and its membership are focused on leveraging mobility to create new opportunities and to drive productivity and prosperity," said Michael O'Hara, chief marketing officer of the GSMA. "GSMA industry initiatives in the areas of Mobile Broadband, Mobile Lifestyle and Mobile Planet will help drive this innovation and growth despite the challenges of the global economic downturn."
The GSMA's Mobile Broadband initiatives intend on focusing on the development of a ubiquitous mobile broadband infrastructure and the proliferation of internet-connected mobile devices. With the world's mobile connections now numbering four billion - nearly 100 million of which are mobile broadband - and with 1.1 billion fixed broadband lines reaching only one sixth of the world's population, the opportunities are vast.
At the Mobile World Congress on Wednesday, 18 February C-level executives from China Unicom, Google, Nokia Siemens Networks, Qualcomm, Skype, Telstra and Verizon Communications will meet at the "Mobile Broadband" and "Mobile Internet" sessions to explore mobile broadband uptake, how consumers are adapting, and how internet services become even more compelling when married with mobile broadband. In addition, at the Mobile Broadband Showcase the GSMA plans to highlight mobile broadband implementations.
The GSMA's Mobile Lifestyle initiatives concentrate on the cross-industry creation of services that combine web attributes with mobility.
Chris DeWolfe, CEO and Co-founder of MySpace will be sharing his perspective on the role of the mobile industry in entertainment at the Mobile Backstage conference on Thursday 19 February at Mobile World Congress. The conference, which features both Kevin Spacey and will.i.am, will also tackle the technical challenges of delivering mobile services and commercial elements influencing mobile industry and entertainment partner collaboration.
The GSMA's Mobile Planet initiatives aim to leverage mobility to help improve the lives of individuals in the developing world in a socially responsible manner. With countries like India adding 10 million new mobile connections per month, and many users accessing the internet, email and banking exclusively via mobile devices, the developing world is central to mobile industry growth.
As grid electricity is inaccessible to many emerging market areas, Mobile World Congress will be exploring the use of renewable energy. The GSMA's Development Fund, that facilitates the delivery of mobile offerings to people living on less than $2 per day, will be presenting the Green Power Pavilion where green technology providers will meet with operators. The "Green Power for Mobile" seminar on Wednesday, 18 February will explore the role of renewable energy in expanding off-grid network coverage and reducing OPEX.
"Mobile phones have evolved to become broadband-enabled multimedia devices that connect mass markets in mature and emerging markets alike. Mobile World Congress will showcase how the industry will continue to push the boundaries into the mobile future," said O'Hara.
For more information on the Mobile World Congress visit http://www.mobileworldcongress.com/.
