GSMA Announces Mobile Asia Expo 2012

BEIJING, October 19, 2011 -

- Shanghai Event Will Address Fast-Growing Chinese and Broader Asian Mobile Markets

The GSMA today introduced the GSMA Mobile Asia Expo, which will take place in Shanghai, 20-22, June 2012.  The inaugural Mobile Asia Expo will be held in the heart of Shanghai in the state-of-the-art Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) and is expected to draw approximately 20,000 attendees.

The Mobile Asia Expo, which builds upon the success of the GSMA’s previous Mobile Asia Congress events, will continue to attract the leaders of the mobile industry, but also executives from other sectors such as consumer electronics, automotive, healthcare and utilities from China, throughout Asia and around the world. The Mobile Asia Expo will also address the Shanghai consumer market, welcoming mobile-passionate consumers seeking the latest in mobile technologies, products and services.  

“The Mobile Asia Expo represents the evolution of our Asia-based mobile industry event and reflects the continued strong influence of the Asian mobile community on the global stage,” said John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd.  ”The mobile industry continues to develop at an unprecedented pace, and nowhere is this more evident than in China, which is experiencing tremendous growth and is the world’s largest mobile market. At the same time, Shanghai is the commercial and financial centre of mainland China and will open up opportunities for growth in the business and the important small business and consumer sectors.”

According to industry research firm Wireless Intelligence, China accounts for 16 per cent of all mobile connections globally, and last quarter, 20 per cent of all net additions worldwide were in China.  There are 2.9 billion mobile connections in Asia Pacific, with nearly 910 million mobile connections in China as of the second quarter 2011.  Wireless Intelligence predicts that China will reach the 1 billion mobile connection milestone in the first half of 2012.  

Overview: Mobile Asia Expo
The 2012 Mobile Asia Expo will include a thought leadership conference featuring CEOs and senior executives of companies from Asia and around the world; an international trade exhibition showcasing cutting-edge mobile products and technologies from approximately 500 companies; and App Planet, the GSMA’s award-winning, developer-focused programme which brings together the entire app developer ecosystem.  

The GSMA is introducing two new event elements as part of the Mobile Asia Expo. The first is the Deal Hub, a mobile business deal-making platform which brings together solution providers and pre-qualified buyers who have approved budgets and active projects and who are looking for smart investments. Additionally, for the first time, the GSMA will hold a consumer-focused day at the Mobile Asia Expo, with exhibition and programmes that address local “professional consumers” who are interested in the latest mobile technologies and services.  

“We thank our members and our customers for their continued support at the upcoming Mobile Asia Congress, and look forward to the Mobile Asia Expo and the opportunity to reach new audiences in Shanghai,” continued Hoffman.

Chinese Leaders Voice Support for Mobile Asia Expo
The launch of the 2012 Mobile Asia Expo has met with support from the leaders of China’s mobile industry, including the MIIT, as well as China Mobile, China Unicom, Huawei and ZTE.  

“As longtime supporters of the GSMA, we are very excited that they are bringing their Asia-focused event to China, and to Shanghai,” said Wang Jianzhou, Chairman, China Mobile.  ”Shanghai is recognized as a technology centre in China, and is particularly important for China Mobile, as it is the demonstration city for our LTE network. We look forward to bringing the mobile world to China and to the Mobile Asia Expo.”  

“Mobile technology is becoming increasingly pervasive in today’s society, changing the way we communicate, work and live, and the Mobile Asia Expo reflects these new dynamics,” noted Chang Xiaobing, Chairman, China Unicom.  ”Importantly, the Mobile Asia Expo will address not only traditional mobile players, but also the enterprises, small businesses and consumers who are using mobile every day. China Unicom is pleased to support the GSMA and the Mobile Asia Expo.”

“The GSMA Mobile Asia Expo stands out among other events, as it will bring together the most senior level executives of leading mobile companies in China, throughout Asia and across the world, along with a new audience from brands and the retail sector.  This confluence offers important new opportunities for companies wanting to do business in Asia, and for Asian companies wanting to expand outside of the region,” noted Richard Yu, CMO, Huawei.

“The GSMA’s selection of Shanghai as the location for the Mobile Asia Expo event underscores the importance of mainland China as a leader in the global mobile economy,” said Shi Lirong, President and CEO of ZTE Corporation. “We welcome the GSMA to Shanghai, and we look forward to a successful Mobile Asia Expo in 2012.”

More information on the Mobile Asia Expo is available at www.mobileasiaexpo.com.

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as the Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Congress.  

For more information, please visit Mobile World Live, the online portal for the mobile communications industry, at www.mobileworldlive.com or the GSMA corporate website at www.gsmworld.com.

For the GSMA, Xiong Wen, wxiong at webershandwick.com, +86-10-8569-9918, or Penny Cheung, pcheung at webershandwick.com, +852-2533-9987, or Ben Evetts, bevetts at webershandwick.com, + 44(0)7879-614941, or GSMA Press Office, press at gsm.org