Support letters

On behalf of the Organisers ITE Group Plc, EUF and ITE LLC Moscow we are delighted to welcome all participants of Caspian Telecoms 2008 Conference & Showcase.

The 7th Regional Caspian Telecoms in an excellent time to pause and reflect on the success of this event as well as the achievements and contributions of our speakers, sponsors and supporting organisations who have made such vital contributions towards the development of this important initiative.

When Caspian Telecoms was first launched in 2002 its aim was to provide an International gateway for established investors and potential new market entrants in a burgeoning telecoms and IT market for the Caspian region. Caspian Telecoms also aimed to convene the regional telecoms industry, providing a platform for serious discussion and debate on telecoms licensing, privatisation, legal and financial issues between participating commercial and state telecom organisations, as well as encouraging concurrent seminars and ICT exchange programmes between countries and companies.

The Caspian Telecoms 2008 Conference and Showcase now fulfils a vital role in the opening of this emerging market to international investment, strengthening International partnerships within the industry and the region, as well as playing an important part in the overall positive development of the region’s perception amongst regional and International investors. With on-going State de-monopolisation and privatisation across the region as well as preparation for the expansion of coverage, upgrading and digitalisation of network systems, the development of satellite and mobile operations, growth of internet and ISPs, and the preparation of Turkey’s telecom sector for EU accession amongst the current issues, the Caspian Telecoms Conference and Showcase continues to be the number one event and a permanent fixture in the diary of International and regional telecommunications executives.

These facts and figures and our presence here at this landmark 7th Regional Caspian Telecoms serve to demonstrate the strength of mutual interest and the determination of International investors and Caspian, Black Sea and Central Asian state telecoms organisations to succeed in the development of their telecommunications industry.

On behalf of the organisers ITE Group Plc, EUF and ITE LLC Moscow we would like to thank all participants for their continued support and official support of Caspian Telecoms from Telecommunication Authority of Turkey, Turk Telekom, Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Informatisation and Communication of Kazakhstan, OJCS Kazakhtelecom, JSC Republican Center of Space Communication and EMC REM of Kazakhstan, Ministry of Transport and Communications of Kyrgyz Republic, Kyrgyztelecom OJSC, National Consultant on Electronic Planning, UNDP ICT Policy Project, Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan, Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies of Azerbaijan, PO «AzTeleCom», Ministry of Transport and Communications of Tajikistan, OJSC TajikTeleCom, Ministry of Transport and Communication of Armenia, JSC MoldTeleCom, ICTA/Information and Communication Technology Authority of Mongolia, Communications Regulatory Commission of Mongolia, SA RomTeleCom, SA RomTeleCom, GVF/Global Vsat Forum and many others.

We wish them success and prosperity on the occasion of the Caspian Telecoms 2008.

I am pleased to welcome participants of the 7th Turkey, Caspian&Central Asia Telecoms&IT Conference - Caspian Telecoms 2008.

Caspian Telecoms is an annual event in the field of telecommunications for Ministries of Communications, Regulatory Authorities, Telecom Operators/Companies of the Caspian region, Central Asia, Caucasus, CIS countries and the Black Sea region. The Conference will address current regulatory issues, most recent developments in the fields of fixed, mobile and satellite communications, internet etc. Telecommunication Authority of the Republic of Turkey will participate in the Conference this year as well.

Caspian Telecoms 2008 is expected to gather participants from different countries world-wide that represent telecommunications, satellite, mobile, cable, wireless, IT companies, fibre optics, broadband, software, computer technologies, TV-radio-broadcasting, Internet, as well as international associations, organisations, financial institutes and banks in the sphere of telecommunications.

We believe that this event will provide an excellent ground to strengthen relations and collaboration between the countries in the Caspian region and Turkey, between international companies and potential investors, and will assist in further attraction of investments, new technologies, services, and companies for the Caspian region.

Caspian Telecoms 2008 will play an important role in bringing together many stakeholders in the sector from different countries in the region by providing contacts and further cooperation, and will contribute to the promotion of telecommunication systems and information technologies as well.

I wish all the participants of Caspian Telecoms 2008 a very successful event, many good business contacts and prosperity.

On behalf of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Information and Communications I am happy to welcome the organizers, participants and guests of the 7th Regional International Conference & Showcase Caspian Telecoms 2008.

To date the Caspian Telecoms Conference and Showcase is an annual telecommunications summit of heads of Communications Administrations of the Caspian, Central Asia, the Caucasus, CIS states, and countries of the Black Sea Basin.

The Conference is traditionally attended by an official delegation from the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for IT and Communications provides support for the event and takes an active part in it.

As things stand now, there is no doubt that all conferee states, Kazakhstan included, subscribe to the strategic line of integration into the global information community. In these countries, the introduction and development of ICT is recognized by the Governments as a priority, with energetic efforts being made to develop infocomms.

Contemporary IT environment sets new objectives for the global community to accomplish. Entering the Information Age, we must work towards building an information society that would serve the needs of people worldwide, a society that would make it possible for all its members to reap real benefits by taking advantage of emerging technologies and their applications.

I am confident that once again the Caspian Telecoms International Conference will provide an excellent platform for meetings between partners, leaders and industry experts from different countries and pave the way to successful international cooperation.

On behalf of Ministry of Economic Development of Georgia, I am happy to welcome the members and guests of the 7th Regional International Conference & Showcase on Telecommunications, Investment and IT, Caspian Telecoms 2008.

The Caspian Telecoms Conference & Showcase is an annual telecommunications summit of Heads of Communications Administrations and Communications Operators in the Caspian Region, Central Asia, the Caucasus, CIS members and countries of the Black Sea Basin.

The Caspian Telecoms Conference & Showcase being a landmark event for the development of the telecommunications sector in this country and the entire region, the Conference is traditionally attended by a Delegation from Georgia. The Economic Development Ministry of Georgia provides support for the event every year and expresses its willingness to do business together.

I am confident that the Caspian Telecoms 2008 Conference & Showcase will make a significant contribution, as well as all the previous exhibitions and conferences, to the further development of telecommunications space and to the integration of telecom and IT systems into the global network of telecommunications.

We express our support and hope that the participation of Georgia's Delegation will help make the Conference a success, facilitate further deepening of ties between the countries, multinational companies and potential investors, as well as serve to secure more investment, new technologies and services for our markets.

I wish all the participants and guests of the Caspian Telecoms 2008 Conference & Showcase every success, good business contacts and prosperity.

On behalf of Kazakhtelecom, I am happy to welcome the participants and guests of the 7th Regional International Conference and Showcase on Telecommunications, Investment and Information Technologies, Caspian Telecom 2008.

Given the fast growth of the global telecommunications market, I believe the 7th Regional International Conference and Showcase Caspian Telecoms 2008 is a platform for demonstration of the latest achievements in technology and services of telecommunications sector.

The 7th Regional International Conference and Showcase will be attended by over 500 Delegates from 25 states, representing Telecommunications, Satellite, Mobile, Cable, Wireless, IT, Fibre Optics, Broadband, Software, Computer Technology, TV and Radio Broadcasting, Internet, together with International Associations, Organizations, Financial Institutions and Banks involved in Telecommunications, etc.

Traditionally, the conference will be a shining example of successful dialogue between spokesmen for the international telecom community. The showcase is a platform for unveiling technological novelties and services, a venue for industry professionals. I am confident that the cutting-edge technologies featured at the showcase will find their application in our states, and the 7th Regional International Conference & Showcase Caspian Telecoms 2008 will be a success story of international partnership in telecommunications.

By tradition, the Conference is being attended by the Official delegation from the Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazakhtelecom provides support to the Event on annual basis and takes active part in it.

I wish all the Participants and Guests of the 7th Regional International Conference and Showcase Caspian Telecoms 2008 fruitful work, new contacts, and deals.

On behalf of Aztelekom, I am happy to welcome the participants and guests of the 7th International Regional Telecommunications and Information Technology Conference and Showcase Caspian Telecoms 2008.

The Caspian Telecoms Conference & Showcase is an annual telecommunications Summit of Heads of Communications Administrations, Communications Operators in the Caspian Region, Central Asia, the Caucasus, CIS members and countries of the Black Sea Basin.

The Conference is traditionally attended by the Official Delegation from the Republic of Azerbaijan. Aztelekom provides active support for the event on an annual basis.

During the last six years the number of the conference participants significantly increased. It is enough to note, that the 2007 conference has gathered over 450 conferees from 25 countries, representing more than 200 companies in Telecommunications, Satellite, Mobile, Cable, Wireless, IT, Fibre Optics, Broadband, Software, Computer Technology, TV and Radio Broadcasting, Internet, as well as International Associations, Organizations, Financial Institutions and Banks involved in Telecommunications, etc.

We hope participation of the Official Delegation from the Republic of Azerbaijan will guarantee success of the event and contribute to further strengthening of ties between Caspian states and International Companies, potential Investors, and encourage further inflow of investment, new technologies and services, and companies into the Caspian markets.

We express our support, cooperation and assistance to the largest event in the telecommunications sector for over 20 states of the region, undoubtedly taking the development of the telecommunications sector in this country and the region at large.

I am sure, the Caspian Telecoms-2008 Conference and Showcase will make a great contribution to cooperation and integration of the information and communication systems into the global telecommunication network.

I wish all the participants and guests of the Caspian Telecoms-2008 Conference and Showcase prosperous participation and success, good business contacts and prosperity.

On behalf of AO Moldtelecom I am glad to welcome the participants and guests, speakers and delegates of the International Regional Conference Caspian Telecoms 2008.

The Conference will enable the interaction of more than 500 Delegates from 45 states from all over the world, including number of reputable public figures and experts, businessmen and specialists in public administration.

The Conference is mainly focused on demonstration of importance of partnership connections between telecommunication companies, providing all the types of telecommunications services and IT-companies - software manufacturers, from the CIS states and abroad in the process of progression to information society.

The growth rates of the IT-market anticipate the communication industry dynamics, making the segment the most dynamic and attractive for investors. According to the experts’ forecasts the annual market growth will make 20-25% in the nearest years as against 22% in 2002-2006. Against the background of the general progress of the market it is possible to allocate separate segments which make progress in outstripping growth rates: mobile content volume for 2006 has grown by 23.6%, in 2007 the growth of 18.7% is expected; context advertising – 244% and 200% - such high rates in this segment are connected with the period of infancy of this trend.

During two days of the Caspian Telecoms 2008 Conference, organized by ITE Group PLC International Trade and Exhibition British company and its partners, it is planned to review mainstreams and trends of telecommunications development, business issues of regional telecommunication markets performance, methods of telecommunication markets control and structure of telecommunications governmental control, main directions of telecommunication markets improvement governmental control methods and demonopolization of telecommunications as a factor influencing the control methods, and certainly, organization of provision of new telecommunication services types, purposes, tasks and main stages of change of the telecommunication business-model.

Moldtelecom AO is ready for further active support of this event, which undoubtedly plays the key role in the whole region, facilitates development of business, technologies and services in the telecommunications field of the region.

I wish all the participants and guests of Caspian Telecoms 2008 Conference successful participation, new reliable contacts and partners, good luck and prosperity.

On behalf of Ministry of Transport and Communication of Armenia, I am glad to welcome the participants of Caspian Telecoms-2008 Telecommunications, Investments and Information Technologies Regional International Conference and Showcase, being the annual Summit of Communication Administration Leaders and Communication Operators in Telecommunication industry of our region.

The Ministry of Transport and Communication of Armenia supports the above event, annually and traditionally participates in it, hoping that participation of the Official Delegation of the Republic of Armenia will facilitate future strengthening of relations between member states and International companies, potential Investors, as well as will assist in further attraction of investments, new technologies and services.

We express our support, active assistance and commitment to cooperate to this important event in telecommunication industry, playing the key role in Telecommunication industry development and of the region in whole.

I wish the organizers, participants and guests of Caspian Telecoms-2008 Conference and Showcase successful holding of the event and fruitful results.

On behalf of Information and Communications Technology Authority of Mongolia, I am glad to welcome participants and guests of the 7th Turkey Caspian & Ventral Asia Telecoms & IT Conference-Caspian Telecoms 2008.

We are sure that Caspian Telecoms 2008 Conference and Exhibition will assist significant contribution in co-operation and integration of Telecommunication systems and Information Technologies into world Telecommunication network.

We believe that Official Delegation of Mongolia will participate actively and successful in this event as well as will help further to strengthen relations and collaboration between the participating countries, International companies, and potential investors and will assist further attraction of investments, new technologies and services, companies for Caspian region.

We wish you all participants and guests of Caspian Telecoms 2008 Conference and Exhibition successful event, many good business contacts made and prosperity.

On behalf of the PROON (United Nations Development Program) Project "Assisting the Government of Uzbekistan in the Formulation and Implementation of Information and Communication Policy" (ICTP Project), I heartily welcome the organizers, participants and guests of the 7th Regional Telecommunications and Information Technologies Conference & Showcase in Istanbul.

There is no one today who would question information and communications technologies are called upon to play a key role improving the performance of the economy, public administration, upgrading educational and public health systems. Today all the countries in the world develop information and communication technologies because they are confident that their application is an incentive, a catalyst which will shortly increase and enhance both economical and cultural development of the state.

Large-scale implementation and application of cutting-edge information and communication technologies in all areas has become an essential aspect of modern-day society. Uzbekistan, too, is involved in these processes, taking as it does an increasingly more active part in shaping up the global information society. Uzbekistan is waking up to the benefits brought by development and penetration of the information and communication technologies (ICT). The revolutionary impact of the ICT covers the activities of the governmental agencies and civil institutions, economical and social dimensions, science and education, culture and lifestyle of people.

Information and communication technologies are of special importance for the strengthening of economical, technical and humanitarian cooperation between peoples, active cultural and scientific integration. In this context, the Caspian Telecoms-2008 conference and showcase not only provides a good venue for the states of the region to unveil new solutions and exchange ideas in the field of telecommunications and information technologies, but it also makes the discussion of the sensitive issues of its development possible. This event plays an important role in development of the telecommunications and information technologies sector of all states of the region in whole, and of each participating states in particular. No doubt, the Caspian Telecoms-2008 conference and showcase will contribute to the innovative development of the ICT sector potential of Uzbekistan and its global integration, to the promotion of international cooperation.

I wish all the organizers, participants and guests of the Caspian Telecoms-2008 conference and showcase fruitful work, realization of creative plans, strengthening of partnership relations and establishment of new business contacts, as well as generation of new business ideas.

May you all have good results and successful business growth in 2008!

On behalf of Global VSAT Forum (GVF), it gives me very great pleasure to welcome you to the Hilton Istanbul Hotel and to the 7th Regional Turkey, Caspian, Black Sea & Russia Conference and Showcase of Telecommunications & Information Technologies.

As the single and unified voice of the global satellite industry, GVF brings together organisations engaged in the delivery of advanced broadband and narrowband satellite services to consumers, and commercial and government enterprises worldwide. As an increasingly important part of this expanding global market for telecommunications, the GVF recognises the growing economic significance of the emergent markets of the Caspian and adjacent regions, and anticipates very near-future escalation in growth in the demand for satellite-based telecommunications solutions.

In the corporate and enterprise arena alone, the Caspian and the surrounding regions feature a particularly strong vertical market – oil & gas – in which growth in the use of satellite-based solutions is an operational imperative and essential precursor to the efficient and profitable exploration for, and production of, new energy supplies.

The broad-based membership of GVF represents every sector of the satellite industry, including the fixed and mobile satellite operators, satellite network operators, teleport operators, satellite earth station manufacturers, system integrators, value added and enhanced service providers, and telecom carriers with which companies in the oil & gas vertical, as well as organisations right the way across the private and public sectors throughout the Caspian and adjacent regions, will increasingly collaborate to achieve expanded connectivity with the rest of the Global Information Society.

This conference features a strong programme of content which, over two days of extensive dialogue and networking, will focus on the key issues on the region’s telecommunication agenda, from the market potential attaching to Turkish EU accession to new regional investment opportunities, from liberalisation and privatisation in the telecommunications environment to developments in government policy and regulation, from future developments in Central Asian telecommunications markets to the increasing deployment of broadband services.

The 7th Regional Turkey, Caspian, Black Sea & Russia Conference and Showcase of Telecommunications & Information Technologies will undoubtedly be an interesting opportunity to understand the markets, the services, and the technologies, as well as being a stimulating environment within which to network with established colleagues, and to make new connections.

May I wish you every success over the next two days in Istanbul.

On behalf of the Republican Center of Space Communication and EMC REM JSC of the Kazakhstan Republic, I am glad to welcome the participants and guests, Speakers and Delegates, VIP Delegations of the 7th Regional Conference and Showcase of Telecommunications and IT Technologies CaspianTelecoms-2008.

Currently the Caspian Telecoms Conference and Showcase is the annual Summit in telecommunication industry of Communication Administration Leaders of the Caspian region, Central Asia, Caucasus, CIS and Black Sea states.

Traditionally the Official Delegation of the Republic of Kazakhstan participates in the Conference.

Republican Center of Space Communication and EMC REM JSC annually supports this event and takes active part in it.

Over 500 delegates from 25 states of the world, representing Telecommunication, Satellite, Mobile, Cable, Wireless, Computer technologies, Television and Radio Broadcasting Systems, Internet, Wideband networks, IT companies and International Associations, Organizations, Financial Institutions and Banks in the telecommunication industry, will take part in the 7th Regional International Conference and Showcase.

We hope, that participation of the Official Delegation of the Kazakhstan Republic will guarantee successful holding of this event and will help further strengthen relations between the Caspian region states and International companies, potential Investors.

And will assist further attraction of investments, technologies and services, companies to the Caspian market.

We express our support, active assistance and cooperation to this main event in the telecommunications industry of over 25 states of the Region, which, undoubtedly, plays the key role in development of Telecommunication industry in our country and in the whole region.

The ambitious Kazakh project – KazSat, the first communication and broadcast satellite launched on the Earth orbit – confirms its substantiality. In less than one year and a half since charging of the satellite was started, its charge reached almost 80%.

The largest companies such as Katelco, Todaytelecom, Нурсат, Kazakhtelecom, KazSatnet, KazTransCom and others have already switched to KazSat.

The republics of Central Asia and Russia’s heartland, including the Moscow Oblast, fall within the coverage area of the Satellite’s signal. On the initial stage of capacities filling basic work was aimed to attract the Kazakh operators, provision of the Republican companies with the capacities of the satellite was of top priority. At the moment negotiations are held with operators of other neighboring states – Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and we hope that we will manage to attract operators of these states on KazSat.

Kazakhstan becomes the first owner of a space communication system on the basis of high technology of small space vehicles among the CIS states. Currently, the works on creation and launching of the second space vehicle KazSat-2 are performed. Launching KazSat-2 planned for the end of 2009 will make Kazakhstan enter the 25 countries having own satellite constellation. I am sure that Caspian Telecoms 2008 Conference and Exhibition-Presentation will serve a great contribution in cooperation and integration of telecommunication systems and information technologies into the world telecommunication network.

I wish all the participants and guests of the CaspianTelecoms-2008 Conference and Showcase successful holding of the event and good luck, good business connections and prosperity.

Let me please, on behalf of the Association of Wireless Data Transmission Market Members (Wireless Ukraine), welcome you on the 7th Regional Conference and Showcase of Telecommunications and IT technologies with participation of Turkey, Caspian region, Black Sea region, Central Asia and Russia!

The telecommunication conference and showcase of the Caspian and the Black Sea states is the most important event on telecommunication field in Turkey, Black Sea states and neighboring Caspian Sea and Central Asia regions. Turkey’s geo-political position makes it a natural communications bridge between Asia and Europe. This event is an important component of international cooperation for Ukraine - geographical neighbor of Russia and Turkey, a state with fast-growing economy, which officially joined the World Trade Organization this year.

High tech is one of priority industries in a state where for the first time an atom was split, a computer was built for the first time in Continental Europe.

Wireless Ukraine is one of the most dynamic industry associations of Ukraine, annually doubling quality of members and is the motive power of the wireless communications industry (including mobile, satellite and dedicated communications).

Our public industry organization has been operating in Ukraine in wireless technologies industry since 2002 and includes over 80 companies from different states, is highly honored to support this event!

For Wireless Ukraine the Caspian Telecoms is a solid platform for rapid growth of cooperation in the high tech industry making vast opportunities available to its participants!

I wish all the participants fruitful work and effective cooperation!