With the announcement that MEF is to hold an inaugural welcome Mixer in the Philippines during the Asian Carriers Conference next month, MEF Asia General Manager Linda Ruck takes a look at the unique market and discusses what makes it relevant to MEF and its members.
Dynamic and fast paced, the Philippines mobile market has more than 100 million subscribers and a mobile penetration rate over 100%, with the mobile segment remaining central to the wider development of the country’s telecom sector. At its peak more than two billion SMS messages were being sent every day, generating the largest SMS volume in the world, and at one stage accounting for more than 10% of the world’s global SMS volume. (Source)
The Philippines is among the most advanced mobile money markets in the world, pre-dating even Kenya, tracing its origins as far back as 2000. With ten million Filipinos’ living outside the country, the Philippines is the second largest recipient of money transfers in Asia accounting for billions of dollars and almost 9% of the GDP according to the world bank.
With deregulation, investment and a mobile savvy population, Smart Communications kept up the push for advancement and were the first Telco to launch 4G in 2012.
Perhaps more surprising is that the Philippines surged past China at the beginning of 2013 to be the fastest growing economy in the region. The IMF estimated growth of almost 7% in 2012 which it hit and this year the growth is continuing with more than 7%. There is no doubt the Philippines is a challenging, competitive and fascinating market. With the right local business partners opportunities for business are boundless.
The Asian Carriers’ Conference (ACC) is a key event for this exciting market. Organized by Philippine Long Distance Company the ACC is widely recognised as the must-attend telecom conference in Asia, with companies and delegates attending from more than 45 countries, so it is only fitting that MEF has a presence here. (We have secured 20% off all conference passes for our members – email me for details!) Many of our members will be attending, or exhibiting at, the 4 day conference including the likes of Bubbly, InternetQ, Silverstreet, Transfer To, Vodafone and many more. MEF will be hosting two thought leadership panels on the 5th September on Apps and M-Commerce.
The ACC is where industry leaders from mobile carriers, network and infrastructure providers, apps and services developers, OEM’s and content distributors meet under one roof to discuss and share about the latest technology, breakthroughs and innovation in the world of telecommunications and content and commerce.
Our MEF Mixer, held on the evening of day two of the conference, is a perfect opportunity to unwind. The more informal atmosphere will provide a fantastic opportunity for our Asia members to meet each other away from the bustle of the show, as well as mingle with senior members of our Asia board who will be on hand to discuss MEF’s local and global activities, and facilitate business introductions amongst our many guests, including Smart Communications.
Our exclusive welcome drinks are sponsored by Mono Group PCL, and we have a secured a fantastic venue, the Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, which is considered one of Cebu city’s most beautiful resort destinations with truly idyllic surroundings and a dazzling contemporary Asian style. (If the weather is perfect we will have our reception in the gardens of the venue overlooking the ocean and toast the sunset). In Asia it’s all about relationships and contacts and this is a perfect platform for our members to mingle in a casual setting and make valuable business connections.
Uniquely for this kind of event, our welcome drinks are exclusively for the benefit of our members and their invited guests. This is precisely how we can guarantee the caliber of the introductions and the conversation you will encounter! Naturally, I’m very much looking forward to the event and to meeting many of our members – I hope to see you there and that we can help you fast track your business opportunities in this exciting market.
Linda Ruck is General Manager for MEF Asia, follow her on Twitter.
The MEF Mixer Philippines is on Wednesday, 4th September 2013 and starts at 17:00. Registration is open now. MEF members also receive special discounts for delegate passes to the Asian Carriers Conference – contact Linda for more information.
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[…] first event, the MEF Mixer, held at the beautiful Crimson Resort and Spa, proved to be a rather elegant affair. Set amid a […]