MUMBAI: A new report from IABM, the association for media and broadcast technology suppliers, suggests that the overall value of the market in the Middle East is currently $ 11.6 billion, with recorded market growth per annum of almost 11 per cent.

IABM‘s forecast is that broadcast and media technology market will be worth $ 17.5 billion by 2010.

One major trend underlined by the report – and further demonstrated by this year‘s recently concluded Cabsat trade event in Dubai – is convergence, as telecommunication, broadcast, and information technologies integrate, bringing together previously separate forms of media.

Held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition from the 6-8 March 2007, there were over 400 leading suppliers from 50 countries as well as new launches and demonstrations. The event also enabled industry professionals to meet with peers in a number of industry conferences and symposia, providing them with an opportunity to discuss the major changes occurring across the industry.

Convergence, the organisers of Cabsat note, is changing the supply chain within the broadcasting and communication industries, creating major opportunities for innovative organisations to grow and develop. New methods for delivering content in a variety of formats are emerging all the time, which is a powerful incentive for companies to network and understand new trends in the market.

Example of such convergence technologies is Mobile TV technology using DVB-H and T-DMB standards. Companies that are demonstrating this at the Show include DMT Systems Spa, E-Vision, GloCom, Grass Valley, Harris Corporation, Newtec Productions NV and Rohde & Schwarz Emirates LLC.

The organisers says that the success of Cabsat has been driven in part by its ability to stay ahead of new developments in the industry, and to provide a unique platform for local, regional and international groups to come together to discuss them".

The recently concluded editon of Cabsat supported a number of industry discussions to help companies understand the changes occurring in the communications and broadcast sectors.

It examined the theme of "digitalisation," explored the new convergent technologies that are relevant to the broadcast, satellite and telecom industries.