PLDT, Smart host 6th Asian Carriers Conference in Cebu
MANILA, Philippines, September 21, 2010 – The Asian Carriers' Conference (ACC), one of the largest gathering of telecoms companies in the Asia Pacific region, will hold its 6th annual meeting at the Shangri-la Mactan Hotel in Cebu from Sept. 21-24, 2010.
Organized by PLDT and Smart Communications, the ACC is attended by leading executives from fixed and wireless telecommunications operators, equipment and software developers, VAS and VOIP providers, vendors and submarine cable operators from more than 40 countries in Asia Pacific and other regions of the world. This year, more than 700 delegates are expected to attend, a new record for the ACC.
“The conference provides a venue for telecoms executives to refresh business partnerships and explore new opportunities, negotiate and conclude agreements, to share insights, experiences and to learn of breakthroughs and innovations in the emerging marketplaces of Asia,” said Alex Caeg, who heads the International & Carrier Business Group of PLDT and Smart.
The theme of this year’s conference is "Collaboration and Cooperation: Navigating in the IP World.” The keynote speech will be given by Manuel V. Pangilinan, the chair of the boards of directors of PLDT and Smart. Napoleon L. Nazareno, PLDT and Smart President and CEO, will welcome this year’s delegates during the opening dinner.
Other plenary speakers include: France Telecom Orange Vice President for Marketing Strategy and Development for International Carriers Isabelle Lorin de Reure, Telstra International Director for Global Carrier Sales Jim Clarke; Ovum Research Director David Kennedy; i3 Forum Chairman Philippe Millet and IBM Institute for Business Value - Global Telecommunications Industry Leader Rob van den Dam. The moderator for the round table discussions will be Telecom Asia Group Editor Joseph Waring.
In the course of the conference, the ACC will also make various donations to disadvantaged communities in Cebu province. This includes the donations of a fishing boat to the island community of Guilutungan by Canadian operator Rogers Communications, and, of vermi-culture and rain-collection facilities by the ACC itself to farmers’ organizations in different municipalities of Cebu.
PLDT and Smart will also donate wireless landlines and computers for the use of the local organizations of these communities as well as library books, school supplies and education scholarships for their brightest students.