News, South-East Asia Com, WiMAX, ASEAN, Malaysia: South East Asia Com 2008 takes place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 23-24 July, 2008. Comprising the ten members of the ASEAN regional group (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) plus East Timor and Papua New Guinea, the region is one of the world's telecommunications hubs.

The 12 markets totalled over 280 million mobile subscribers in March 2008, with an average penetration rate of 49.8% across the region. Growth opportunities are significant. Indeed, Informa Telecoms and Media forecasts total mobile subscriptions to reach over 400 million by 2012. There are, however, differences within the region's market, with some highly penetrated markets such as Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia (each over 90% penetration), and some severely under-penetrated ones such as Myanmar (0.6%), Papua New Guinea (3.5%) and East Timor (7.6%).

Between these extremes, a number of countries are showing exceptional growth opportunities thanks to a combination of high population, relatively stable economic environment, and low penetration rates that leave plenty of space for growth: Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam are the most notable. The region's markets are attracting investment from its major operator groups (SingTel, Telekom Malaysia International, Hutchison Whampoa), as well as interest from groups outside the region looking for high returns outside their own markets.

WiMAX is also a key technology used in the development of broadband access in the region. The leaders of the region's telecommunications industry will meet at South-East Asia Com in Kuala Lumpur in July, the leading event to discuss commercial and technology strategies for growth in the market. The high-level strategic conference will be opened by a welcome allocution from Hon Dato Shaziman Abu Mansor, Malaysia's Minister of Energy, Water & Communications, followed by a keynote presentation from Johnny Swandi Sjam, President of Indonesia's Indosat.

Over two days, the multi-streamed conference will include presentations from senior representatives of the region's operators (including Laos's ETL, Cambodia's TM International, Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications, Malaysia's Maxis, Indonesia's PT Excelcomindo Pertamina, Thailand's AIS, Philippines' Bayan Telecommunications) and regulators (Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission, National Telecommunications Commission of Philippines, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of Indonesia (Badan Regulasi Telekomunikasi Indonesia). The event will also include an exhibition showcasing the latest telecommunications solutions.

• More info: www.comworldseries.com/seasia