MANILA, Philippines, August 31, 2013 – Leading telecoms firm PLDT with its mobile subsidiaries Smart Communications and Sun Cellular will once again bring together the best and biggest telecom carrier firms around the world at the 9th Asian Carriers Conference (ACC) at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa in Cebu from September 3 to 6.

Among the global telcos and ICT firms represented in this year’s conference are US giant firms AT&T, Verizon, and Microsoft, as well as Huawei and ZTE of China.

The event partners in this year’s ACC aside from PLDT, Smart and Sun, are Orange of France, PCCW Global of Hong Kong, Huawei, ZTE and ShenliTel of China, DVL Group, Synectiv, Deutsche Telecom of Germany, IDT Asia, BICS of Belgium, Banglatrac of Bangladesh, TATA Communications of India and Canada, AT&T, Verizon Global Wholesale, Airtel of India, and Telekom Malaysia.

The award-winning ACC provides a venue for industry leaders to discuss and share the latest technologies and breakthroughs in telecommunications and ICT. Attending the conference are delegates from wholesale fixed and mobile carriers, network and infrastructure providers, applications and service developers, handset and equipment manufacturers, and entertainment and content distributors around the world.

“Since the launch of ACC in 2005, the event has become the much-awaited telecoms conference in Asia because of its highly productive plenary and efficient workshop and meeting sessions where delegates gain new knowledge and insights, as well as enjoy its fun and socially-relevant side activities,” said PLDT Executive Vice President and Head of Enterprise and International & Carrier Business Ernesto R. Alberto.

Over a thousand participants from 45 countries, representing 322 companies, attended the 2012 ACC. “This year, we expect to surpass last year’s attendance. With so much to learn from our speakers who are experts in their respective fields, as well as the business prospects, networking opportunities, and excellent accommodations, more and more delegates are really looking forward to the 2013 ACC,” said PLDT International & Carrier Business Head and PLDT Global Corporation CEO Alejandro O. Caeg.

PLDT President and CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno will open the conference and welcome the delegates to ACC 2013, which will run with the theme “Unlocking Hidden Growth Opportunities for Wholesale Carriers.”

The plenary speakers include: Martin Geddes, business model innovation thought leader in telecoms, IT and media, and one of the best-known authorities on the future of the telecoms industry from emerging business models to new network technologies; Matthew Howett, practice leader of Ovum Regulation & Policy Advisory; and Ivan Landen, managing director for Asia Pacific of Expereo.

The other speakers are Cody Williams, research analyst of TeleGeography; Kevin Vachon, chief operating officer of Metro Ethernet Forum; and Philippe Millet, chairman of the International IP Interconnect Forum (i3Forum).

The conference program includes the plenary session, opening of the ACC 2013 Exhibit and Shopping Village, various workshops, turn-over of ACC corporate social responsibility projects, and social activities such as a golf tournament, 5K and 3K fun runs and 1K slipper race, as well as sailing, snorkeling, shopping and city tours.