Oceania Telecommunications Summit

Networking the South Pacific – Oceania Com – 7th-8th July 2008

In terms of size Australia and New Zealand are by far the largest countries in Oceania. But there are, in total, 30 countries in the region, and some of these are among the smallest countries in the world.

Good cooperation exists at government level; however contact is rather limited in terms of day-to-day business relationships.

I strongly believe that we in the telecoms industry have an obligation to share with and assist our neighbours. I am addressing this need by helping London-based Informa to organise the program for the first ever industry-based Oceania Com, as part of their renowned Com World Series.

Informa Telecoms & Media is pleased to offer FREE attendance to representatives of all telecoms operators and service providers in the Oceania region. This offer is also extended to all the region’s Governments and their relevant ministries and agencies.

BuddeComm is looking after the conference program of Oceania Com and I will chair the event on both days.

The aim of the event is threefold:

To enable the two larger countries to share their knowledge and experience with the smaller countries in the region.
To bring many of the smaller countries together, so that they can present their position to the larger group, with networking opportunities on both sides.
To discuss, collectively, solutions for the smaller countries, based on some of the case studies and presentations from their representatives.

We have been able to secure a first-class line-up of presenters and speakers.

Guests of Honour:

Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Government of Australia
The Hon David Cunliffe MP, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Government of New Zealand
The Hon Duncan Kerr SC MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Government of Australia
The Hon Neville Christian, Minister for Finance, Norfolk Island Government

Telecoms Operators include:

Paul Broad, CEO, AAPT, Australia
Martin Wylie, CEO, Call Plus, New Zealand
Christian Fruean, GM, Digicel Samoa
Taito Tabaleka, CEO, Telecom Fiji
Mike Johnstone, CEO, SamoaTel
Scott Bartlett, CEO, Orcon, New Zealand
Peter Loko, CEO, Telikom PNG
Vaughan Bowen, Managing Director, M2 Communications, Australia
Richard Hipa, Managing Director, Telecom Niue
Eric Hamilton, CTO, Unwired Australia
Kristin Dunne-Powell, COO, Woosh, New Zealand

I think we have created the ideal South Pacific networking event, a meeting point for people who, under normal circumstances, would rarely be in the same place at the same time. It will be an ideal environment in which to learn about what is happening in the South Pacific – what the issues and opportunities are. For vendors and suppliers this is an ideal event to establish business contacts; we all know how difficult and time-consuming it is to island-hop through the Pacific. Here you will have many island nations in the one place.

Behind the scenes I am also talking to government representatives with the aim of reviving some of the inter-governmental policy issues in relation to telecommunications in the South Pacific – issues such as international telecommunication, satellite services, submarine cable access, harmonisation of regulations and so on. My intention is to create around this event opportunities for discussion on these issues, as well as opportunities for other bilateral and interest group meetings.

I hope to report more on this closer to the event.