Dubai CABSAT exhibit grows.

The 13th annual Middle East International Cable, Satellite, Broadcast and Communications exhibition (CABSAT2007) in United Arab Emirates' Dubai, which was held last month, attracted more than 500 satellite and electronic exhibitors from 50 countries--an increase from last year. According to a recent report from the International Association of Broadcast Manufacturers (IABM), an 11 percent yearly growth could fuel an equivalent of U.S. $17.5 billion revenue for the broadcast and satellite sector by 2010.

"One major trend underlined by the report is convergence, as telecommunications, broadcast, and information technologies integrate, bringing together previously separate forms of media," said Helal Saeed Al Marri, director of Dubai World Trade Centre, the organizer of CABSAT in conjunction with the Middle East Satellite Communications Community.

"By providing a shared platform for companies from the electronic media and communications sectors, CABSAT2007 helped further develop convergence within the Middle East. One example of convergence is mobile TV technology's use of DVB-H and T-DMB standards. Companies that are demonstrating this at the show include DMT Systems Spa, E-Vision, GloCom, Grass Valley, Harris Corporation, Newtec Productions NV and Rohde & Schwarz Emirates," he said.

At the market, a Global VSAT Forum I (GVF)-sponsored Satellite Symposium entitled "Vertical Markets and the Growth of Middle Eastern IP Satellite" was co-chaired by GVF International Program Development chief Martin Jarrold and GVF regional correspondent for the Arab States, Mohamed Youssif. GVF is a London-based association of key companies, that, according to its mission statement, is "involved in the business of delivering advanced digital fixed satellite systems and services to consumers, and commercial and government enterprises worldwide."

Jarrold called IPTV an important issue, as it "reflects vitally significant trends in the evolving business mission of the satellite communications industry, to focus on the delivery of IP-based applications and ensure that key vertical markets are well-served."

Other symposiums included "An Overview of the Arab World's Telecom and Media Markets" led by Jawad Abbassi from the Arab Advisors Group, "Satellite Communications" headed by Stephen Spengler of Intelsat and "Middle East Satellite Broadband Services: Current Requirements and Future Trends" with Jaafar Najdi of Streamlink Communications.