As part of its strategy to support the telecommunications industry across the region and display its thought leadership, STC sponsored the Arab Telecommunication and Internet Forum (ATIF) that was held in Beirut June 2-3, 2011. The two-day event drew Telecom Ministers and leading telecommunications personalities from across the region as well as business leaders and specialists from the industry.

Ghassan Hasbani, CEO of International Operations at STC said, "STC's sponsorship of the Forum is due to the importance of information technology in the Middle East." He added, "STC has played a pioneering role in the field of information technology and has given it great importance as part of its telecommunications agenda and excelled by introducing the latest in technology to customers worldwide, a step that earned it market leadership among all telecom providers in the region.

The forum's agenda included the changes that the IT and telecommunications sector is undergoing in light of the increasing demand for new services, including assessment of needs, aspirations and consumption patterns of internet and mobile phone users at a grass roots level. Delegates also discussed the nature and opportunities of modern telecom business models and analyzed developments that have witnessed changes including investment, broadband development, the role of regulators, the needs of the modern digital consumer, digital security and other issues pertinent in the field of telecommunications and information technology.

At the Forum STC participated with a stand showcasing its international investments. The stand was visited by the Lebanese Minister of Telecommunications, Dr. Charbel Nahas and the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Lebanon Mr. Ali bin Saeed Aseeri as well as other ministers, officials, and other participants.

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