Geneva hosts giant telecommunications show

One of the world’s biggest telecommunications shows, known as Telecom 99 & Interactive 99, opened in Geneva Sunday, with international leaders warning of a divide between those countries which have, and those which do not have, the latest technology.

One of the world’s biggest telecommunications shows, known as Telecom 99 & Interactive 99, opened in Geneva Sunday, with international leaders warning of a divide between those countries which have, and those which do not have, high-tech know-how and the latest technology.

More than 1,000 exhibitors from 50 nations are showing off their newest products and services at Geneva’s Palexpo, where mobile telephony is expected to be a key magnet for the estimated 200,000 visitors of the week-long event.

Telecom 99, which is put on by the International Telecommunication Union, features a whole new generation of wireless gadgets and equipment.

The third-generation mobile phones are likely to draw huge crowds as the mobile phone market is booming, particularly in Asia and Europe.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned of a growing divide between the rich and industrialised nations which have the latest telecommunications technology and developing countries which do not.

That statement was backed by Swiss President Ruth Dreifuss, who also spoke out against industry monopolies and underlined that some countries were deliberately limiting access to modern information technology.

The demand for high-speed and multiple-service cell phones is being fuelled by the popularity of the Internet and the demand for fast access to web-based data.

Visitors to Telecom will be able to see just how fast the download of data on browser-enabled mobile phones will be – and how much that service will cost them.

There are about 350 million mobile phone customers worldwide and about 850 million fixed-line telephones. Within the next ten years, there will be more mobile phone customers than fixed-line phones, according to the ITU.

The exhibition in Geneva attracts government ministers, CEOs and VIPs from all over the world since the show can also pave the way for major business deals, which have gained in importance in light of fierce competition and increasing industry mergers.

Telecom also offers a forum for debate on a wide range of issues.

According to the organisers, the forum is designed to share information about the latest technologies and to transfer this new technology and information to less developed countries.

From staff and wire reports.