Iraq's communications infrastructure and the role of communications in enabling access to education, health, and other public services will take centre stage at the nation’s first in-country communications event. The 'Connect Iraq: Communications and Technology Conference' will be held 10-13 May 2009 at the Baghdad International Airport Hotel and Conference Centre. The conference will bring together government, local industry, international suppliers, and the user community, to address the role of satellite, wireless and fibre solutions and provide training to local service providers.

• Four days of networking opportunities
• On site, globally certified GVF training for local engineers – the first GVF training held in Baghdad
• Meeting point for a cross-section of local telecommunications companies
• Meetings between investors, and industry leaders, and regulatory authorities
• Speakers and panels highlight commercial and regulatory developments which affect Iraq's communications sector
• Presentations look into the additional ways technology impacts the society
• Unique experience to get first-hand insight into the current technology and communications market in Iraq

Connect Iraq is organised jointly by Talia, a UK-based communications service provider with extensive operations in the country, and the Global VSAT Forum (GVF), the trade association for the international satellite communications sector. iDirect, a leading provider of satellite-based IP communications technology, is the first confirmed industry member to sponsor the event.

The four-day event will feature presentations by industry leaders and governmental decision-makers, and will deal directly with the latest commercial and regulatory developments affecting Iraq's communications sector.

In addition to the conference schedule, Connect Iraq will feature the first in-Iraq GVF-certified hands-on training sessions. For more information on GVF training, visit http://www.gvf.coursehost.com.

Further information on additional sponsors and the conference schedule will be released as they become available.