Announcements
TechPolis signs two-year contract with GSMA
San Diego, May 12, 2008- The GSM Association, the world trade association of mobile operators with more than 700 operator members in 218 countries and territories has signed a two-year contract with TechPolis, Inc. TechPolis will provide strategic advice and implementation support for GSMA's public policy agenda in emerging markets, with special focus on spectrum for Mobile Broadband.
San Diego, September 30, 2007
Ricardo Tavares joins Board of Advisors of Align Micro
TechPolis’ CEO Ricardo Tavares has joined the Board of Advisors of Align Micro International Corporation (www.alignmicro.com), an electronics manufacturing, distribution and marketing company that is developing a state-of-the-art contract manufacturing facility in São Paulo, Brazil, to respond to a growing demand for computer peripherals and high-end mobile handsets in Latin America.
“We are delighted that Ricardo Tavares has joined the Board of Advisors of Align Micro,” said Edward O. Richard, CEO of Align Micro. “Ricardo brings a special business perspective and knowledge to create value in the domestic market of Brazil. He understands clearly the potential this unique Latin American manufacturing and distribution platform provides for the export of new technology products within the region and beyond.”
Ricardo Tavares said, “It is a great pleasure to join this Board of Advisors. Align Micro’s business plan is well timed and focused on the unsatisfied demand for a cost-effective supply of new technology products essential for the expansion of the computer industry in Latin America. In addition, as Latin American mobile markets move toward 3G, Align Micro’s ability to serve short-runs of high-end handsets will facilitate market entry in the region for providers of next generation mobile handsets, bringing strong benefits for mobile operators and consumers. The macroeconomic stability, improving business environment, and strong growth of the Brazilian economy moving forward offers the perfect setting to locate this new facility. Finally, the executive management team assembled by Align Micro and led by seasoned Latin American electronics entrepreneur, Ed Richard, is a winner.”
Cairo, July 19, 2007 – Wireless technology companies in Egypt developing innovative products for local mobile operators should target sales of these innovations for regional and global markets. This recommendation was made by Ricardo Tavares, CEO of TechPolis, during a day-long TechPolis workshop in Cairo for over 20 innovative Egyptian wireless technology companies. The workshop was held in cooperation with Nathan Associates, which is developing an ambitious program for USAID in Egypt that has successfully stimulated private investment in innovative Egyptian wireless start-ups.
Activation Tax & Mobile Industry Performance:
Something’s Got to Give
Pakistan Observer, May 28, 2007
Ricardo Tavares
The reduction or elimination of the current activation tax on new mobile phone connections is essential if the mobile industry is to continue attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in telecommunications. If today’s PKR 500 activation tax is reauthorized in the next federal budget, something’s got to give. more >
TechPolis Presentation on WLL Regulation at 3GSM Asia Congress in Singapore
San Diego, October 16, 2006
TechPolis president, Ricardo Tavares, discussed today at the 3GSM Asia conference in Singapore the regulation of wireless local loop networks (WLL). Mr. Tavares spoke to 100 representatives of Asian government and regulators at the Regulatory Symposium organized by the GSM Association at the Suntech conference center. Mr. Tavares, who is also senior vice president for public policy at GSMA, alerted government and regulators against allowing “back door entry” of WLL operators into mobile markets. “A strong national licensing regime is critical to secure investments that will help to connect the unconnected. It is mobile that drives penetration in Asia, not WLL. The transparency and trustworthiness of licensing regimes is essential to secure investments. What happened in India in 2002-2003--when Reliance and Tata converted WLL licenses to mobile licenses through an administrative process, while mobile operators obtained their licenses through auctions--is the exception, not the rule,” said Tavares. Presentation Link: WLL Impact on Licensing & Spectrum Policy >
Ricardo Tavares addresses McKinsey & Co.’s Strategy Conference in Berlin
San Diego, October 10, 2006
TechPolis president, Ricardo Tavares, spoke today at McKinsey & Company’s conference, “Strategy in Context,” in Berlin, Germany, on managing a global regulatory strategy. Mr. Tavares discussed the case of the GSM Association, the world trade association representing mobile operators, as an effective organization managing a broad regulatory agenda and maintaining a close relationship with a number of stakeholders in the telecommunications industry, including mobile operators, governments and regulators, international organizations, suppliers, NGOs and other actors. As a member of a panel, “Achieving Corporate Goals Trough Stakeholder Management,” Mr. Tavares explained GSMA’s local and global approaches to spectrum policy, research on impact of radio electric research on human health, international roaming, universal access, and regulatory regimes in emerging markets. Alberto Marchi and Luis Enriquez, from McKinsey & Co., and Francesco Giogianni, head of EU regulation for the electricity company ENEL, also participated in the panel during the two day conference in Berlin. Presentation Link: Managing a Global Regulatory Strategy >
TechPolis extends contract with GSM Association
San Diego, July 16, 2006
TechPolis has signed a contract with the GSM Association, the global trade association of mobile operators, to provide regulatory advisory services for the organization’s staff and to its operator members in strategic emerging markets through 2007. The GSMA has over 700 members in 212 countries and territories and is the most important trade association in the telecommunications industry. Techpolis’ scope of work includes supporting GSMA’s activities on licensing, spectrum, interconnection, taxation and other key aspects of regulatory regimes in fast growing emerging markets. In his role as senior vice president for public policy at the GSMA, TechPolis president Ricardo Tavares will continue to be a key negotiator on behalf of mobile operators in emerging markets. TechPolis is active in a broad range of countries, including all four BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China).
TechPolis Articles and Presentations
"Um panorama da TV Digital"
by Ricardo Tavares, Gazeta Mercantil
Brazil, May 15, 2006, pp.3. Read > Portuguese / English
"Los beneficios de la divergencia en television digital"
by Sebastian M. Cabello, Diario El Cronista Comercial
Argentina, April 29, 2006 pp.15. Read > Spanish / English
"India's IT Industry—Implications for Latin America"
by Ricardo Tavares. Presentation at the Institute of the Americas' Conference,
"Latin American Competitiveness and Asia", La Jolla, California, September 2, 2005
PDF
> English / Spanish
"Where U.S. companies seek regulation"
by Ricardo Tavares, The San Diego Union Tribune, July 25, 1997
read article > |
