The North American market is certainly dictating the terms of technology growth, market demand and innovation. But I am regularly reminded, and rightfully so, by my European friends that the larger European sphere is developing its own exciting capabilities and services. European satellite manufacturers, operators and service companies, for a variety of reasons, are well positioned to deepen their presence into the Middle East, Africa and Asia. After watching European companies operate in emerging markets for many years, I have come to appreciate their unique ability to understand local practices, influence decision-makers and win business. Emerging markets certainly face serious obstacles, the most consistent of which is the slow movement of national regulatory regimes, followed by the hold of many national telcos.
Transitions are on the way, however.
In Egypt, I would have said just a few months ago that the prospect of privatizing the state's treasured media sector would be out of the question. In what could be a developing trend, state media concerns are beginning to realize the value of programming they own. Amin Bassiouny, chairman of Nilesat and former head of the country's programming arm, the Egyptian Radio and Television Union, indicated that Egypt is planning to catalog and digitize its huge archives of video content in preparation for future Internet distribution. Underlying the obvious regulatory and licensing problems are the harder to grasp issues of how societies accommodate new technologies, entertainment and information on their own terms, and in ways that are appropriate for their cultures. Old and new media alike are powerful forces in all societies, not just those in the emerging markets.