A host of international satellite operators is set to converge on the Myanmar Satellite Forum during CommuniCast 2014 in Myanmar. Jointly presented by CommuniCast Myanmar and talk Satellite, the Forum, which will take place on 19 November, will be the first opportunity for the satellite sector to present itself in force to the Myanmar telecoms industry. The country is expected to launch its own telecoms satellite within five years as it moves towards its aim of satellite sovereignty.

The Myanmar Satellite Forum will provide the opportunity for high level exchange of information and best practice between Myanmar and world experts in satellite business and technology. The Forum is co-located with CommuniCast 2014 which takes place from 18 – 20 November at the Myanmar Event Park in Yangon, Myanmar. It has attracted overwhelming support from international satellite operators, manufacturers and launch providers, including: APT Satellite Company, Arianespace, AsiaSat, Comsys, Ericsson, Eutelsat, GlobalNET, Hughes, Newtec, O3B Networks, Optus, Orbital Science, SES, Speedcast Thales Alenia Space and YTP Teleport. Platinum sponsors of the event are Intelsat, Gilat and ABS.

The Myanmar Government has also given its support, with the Deputy Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Mr H.E.U. Thaung Tin, set to give the keynote address. Other speakers from a wide range of industry sectors will contribute on topics as diverse as:  the role for satellite throughout Myanmar, digital villages and community access points, the opportunity for broadband panels to stimulate rapid advances in social and economic development, the importance of e-Government, distance learning and e-Health, plus economic & social sustainability in Asia, mobile satellite backhaul, disaster recovery and enterprise services in sectors such as oil & gas, banking and mining.

With a population of 51.4 million people and an anticipated annual GDP growth rate of 7.2 percent through to 2022, Myanmar is expected to be one of the star performers. A poor infrastructure will however hold back the available opportunities; with the telecommunications sector being identified as an area of immediate prioritisation. The aim of The Myanmar Satellite Forum is to identify and initiate needed dialogue for the development of satellite communications which has the potential to provide increased access to high speed international connectivity.

Rupert Owen, Overseas Exhibition Services Ltd. and event director said, “Speakers, exhibitors and delegates from key industry players will come together for this unique event to discuss the role for satellite in Myanmar and to address issues of urgent concern to government, enterprise and consumer entities in the rapidly emerging Myanmar telecoms market. The Forum offers the most influential networking opportunity for the international satellite industry to forge important relationships with the domestic Myanmar market.”