Industry's top CEOs to Gather for Mobile World Congress 2008

Most Influential Mobile Executives to Debate Four Major Themes in Barcelona

LONDON, January 15 /PRNewswire/ -- A world-class line-up of top
executives will address the most pressing issues facing the mobile industry
at the GSMA's Mobile World Congress, the world's biggest communications
conference and exhibition, in Barcelona, 11-14 February 2008.
During the three day conference, more than 230 chief executives and other
high-level speakers from across the global mobile industry and related
sectors will be involved in debates around four major themes - ubiquitous
networks, services that aren't reliant on mobile operators, mobile's social
and economic value and the mobile digital content revolution.
"Once again, the conference agenda is a 'Who's Who' of the global mobile
industry," said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSMA. "We expect lively debates around
a series of hot issues, from mobile advertising and search to financial
services; from social networking to Long Term Evolution. The Mobile World
Congress will play a major role in setting the industry's agenda for 2008 and
beyond. " Confirmed speakers include:
Arun Sarin, Chief Executive Officer, Vodafone
Wang Jianzhou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, China Mobile
John Chambers, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cisco
Masao Nakamura, President and Chief Executive Officer of NTT DoCoMo
Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nokia,
Cesar Alierta, Chairman and CEO of Telefonica
Paul Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer, Qualcomm
Carl-Henric Svanberg, Chief Executive Officer, Ericsson
Masayoshi Son, CEO of Softbank
Iqbal Quadir, founder of GrameenPhone
Phuthuma Nhleko, Group President & Chief Executive Officer, MTN
Shin-Bae Kim, Chief Executive Officer, SKT
Ralph de la Vega, Chief Executive Officer, AT&T Mobile
Michael Joseph, CEO of Safaricom
Peter Mercier, Head of Mobile, Digital Media Division, BBC
Stanley Fertig, Senior Vice President, HBO International
The conference programme will be supported by an exhibition showcasing
approximately 1,200 companies and hundreds of new products and services. This
year marks the first time the event will operate under its new name, Mobile
World Congress, rather than 3GSM World Congress, to reflect its role serving
the entire mobile industry, regardless of access technology.
As the mobile medium becomes increasingly important to the entertainment
industry, the Congress, in partnership with Nielsen, the Hollywood Reporter &
Billboard Magazine, will host a new event at Barcelona's majestic National
Palace. Mobile Backstage will bring together leading figures from the
entertainment and mobile industries who are defining where mobile
entertainment is today and where it's heading in the future. The Congress is
also co-located with several other major GSMA events, such as the two-day
Mobile Innovation Market, the Government Mobile Forum and the Global Mobile
Awards.
On the first day of the Congress, the GSMA - in association with
TelecomTV - will host the premiere of a unique documentary film travelogue
exploring the extraordinary social and economic impact of mobile
communications around the world. Filmed in 20 countries The Mobile Planet
will explore the diverse ways in which mobile phones are used today in Asia,
Africa, Europe and the Americas.
About the Mobile World Congress
The GSMA's Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Congress are the world's
leading mobile communications conference and exhibition events, where top
executives from mobile operators, equipment vendors, IT companies and
entertainment providers meet to do business. In 2007, more than 50,000 people
attended the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
The Mobile World Congress in 2008 will take place at the Fira de
Barcelona, Spain, between 11th and 14th February 2008. For more information
please visit http://www.mobileworldcongress.com.
SOURCE The GSMA's Mobile World Congress

For more information please contact: GSM Association, Mark Smith:
+44-7850229-724 or David Pringle: +44-795-755-6069 , Email: press@gsm.org