• diary political and General News Events from Feb 2

Mobile Tornado Group plc ("Mobile Tornado" or "the Company")
Board Changes
Mobile Tornado Group plc the instant communications company specialising in Push-To-Talk ("PTT") services today announces the following Board changes:

• Peter Robert Wilkinson (52) joins the Company as Non-Executive Chairman but

will be working closely with the Executive Directors in the delivery of

Mobile Tornado's strategic plan. Peter is currently Chief Executive of

InTechnology Group plc. Peter was formerly Chairman of Sports Internet

Group plc which was sold to BSkyB plc for £301 million in May 2000. He also

invented the free ISP model Freeserve, the internet access service which

was launched by the Dixons Group plc.

• Jeremy Mark Fenn (43) joins Mobile Tornado as Chief Financial Officer and

acting Chief Executive. Jeremy is a qualified chartered accountant and was

formerly Chief Executive of Sports Internet Group plc. Following the sale

he remained as a director of Skysports.com until December 2003. Prior to

this he was Managing Director of Leeds United Football Club from 1996 to

1999. He is currently a non-executive director of Yoomedia plc and a

director of Pannal plc.

• David Parry (56) joins the Company as VP Worldwide Sales. David brings

significant strategic management and commercial leadership to Mobile

Tornado. He has a demonstrable record of achievement growing sales in

multi-national technology, manufacturing and distribution enterprises and

for the past 6 years has worked with InTechnology plc, leading sales

development in the Managed Services and IT Security divisions

• Eyal Fishler (29) joins the board as Chief Technology Officer. Eyal was the

original developer of the Mobile Tornado technology having previously

served in a classified communications unit of the Israel Defence Force.

Before working for Mobile Tornado, he was involved in developing several

innovative technologies, including a three dimensional virtual reality

device and a biometrics speech recognition system.

• Richard Mark James (46) joins the Company as Company Secretary. Richard

qualified as a solicitor with Allen & Overy in 1986 and was a Partner at

Pinsent Curtis in 1991 before moving to Hammond Suddards as a Partner in

1996. Richard is also a Director and Company Secretary of InTechnology

Group plc.

• John Paul Swingewood (51) stands down as Executive Chairman of Mobile

Tornado to become a Non-Executive Director.


As previously announced on 25 September 2006, Mark Hughes resigned on 23rd October 2006 as Finance Director and Company Secretary to pursue other business opportunities.
The Company also announces that Christopher Akers, a Non-Executive Director of the Company, has resigned from the board with immediate effect.
Commenting on the Board appointments Peter Wilkinson, Mobile Tornado's new non-executive Chairman, said;
"Following the conclusion of the Company's refinancing I am delighted to announce the appointment of a new board. I have worked very closely with Jeremy and David in the past and am confident that the skill sets they bring will help the Company to realise its enormous potential.
The introduction of Eyal onto the Board demonstrates our belief in the technical platform he and his team have created and my commitment to ensure that it remains at the forefront of the instant communications revolution."
The contents of this announcement include the full disclosures required under Schedule 2, Para (g) of the AIM Rules.
For further details please contact:
Mobile Tornado Group plc Jeremy Fenn, Chief Financial Officer Tel: [phone]
Corporate Synergy Rhod Cruwys/John Prior / Romil Patel Tel: [phone]
Buchanan Communications Charles Ryland / James Strong Tel: [phone]
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Peter Wilkinson is currently, or has been in the past five years, a director of the following companies:
Current: Past:

InTechnology Group plc Digital Interactive Television Group Ltd

Integrated Technology (Europe) Ltd The Gaming Channel Bookmakers Limited

Web (M&E) Products Planetfootball.com Ltd

Holf Technologies Ltd Joe Huddlestone (Dormant) Limited

Vdata Ltd Songplayer Limited

HOLF Leisure Limited Sports Internet Group plc

HOLF Limited The Gadget Shop Limited

Wilkinson Building Co Ltd The New Gadget Shop Limited

Firace Limited Ecom Group Technology Limited

Sports Etail Limited

UTV Radio (GB) Limited

Voicescape Plc

Voicescape Solutions Limited

Channel 6 Internet Ltd

Channel 6 Online Ltd


Peter Wilkinson was a director of The Gadget Shop Limited and The New Gadget Shop Limited, both of which went into administration in March 2005. The outcome of the administration process is as yet unknown.
Jeremy Fenn is currently, or has been in the past five years, a director of the following companies:
Current: Past:

Eescape Holdings Limited Alliance Pharma Plc

Eescape Limited Auto V.I.P. Solutions Limited

Inside Trace 3 LLP BSkyB Sports Holdings Limited

Interactive Television Holdings Limited Getmedia plc

Jade Film Partners Interactive Music Technology Ltd

Opal Film Partners Planet Football.com Limited

Venus Film Partners Sports Internet Group Limited

Yoomedia plc Surrey Group Limited

Pannal plc The Surrey Golf Company Limited


David Parry is currently, or has been in the past five years, a director of the following companies:
Current: Past: None Celstrat Limited Dulhoe Hill Associates Limited
Eyal Fishler is currently, or has been in the past five years, a director of the following companies:
Current: Past: None None
Richard James is currently, or has been in the past five years, a director of the following companies:
Current: Past: InTechnology Group plc Peerless Technology Group plc
The Directors joining the Board have the following holdings in the Company:
Ordinary shares held % of issued share Warrants Share options capital
Peter Wilkinson 24,536,392 14.25 1,250,000 -

Eyal Fishler 9,119,259 5.30 - 1,800,000

Jeremy Fenn 7,723,271 4.49 375,000 -

David Parry - - - 1,800,000

Richard James 2,959,870 1.72 - -


About Mobile Tornado
Mobile Tornado Group plc is listed on AIM in London. It sells software licences and services to mobile operators and enterprises worldwide through a number of distribution partners. These partners include Nortel and Alcatel. Mobile Tornado specialises in providing platforms and applications in the mobile data services market including presence-based messaging, push to talk, push to video and related services. 10 networks are currently licensed to use the Group's technology and the countries served now include China, India, and Nigeria.
This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
Document RNS0000020061124e2bo0008t

Industry's Who's Who prepares for ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006; Leading ICT Names and exciting newcomers reflect industry's good recovery; ACCREDIT NOW to be sure to be a part of this key event!
1,159 words

23 November 2006

M2 Presswire

MTPW

English

(c) 2006 M2 Communications, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Geneva - With a number of new growth areas and next-generation products and services set to revolutionize the way we communicate on a global scale, the information and communication technology (ICT) industry is showing very positive signs of good health. Nowhere is this good health more in evidence than at ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006, taking place in Hong Kong, China from 4-8 December, where top ICT players from around the world will flock to make the right connections, explore the latest ICT innovations and enjoy the industry's renewed vigour.
Along with the biggest industry names, exhibiting companies and organizations will also encompass new technology segments and growth regions from around the world. As well as extensive geographical reach, exhibiting companies at ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 will represent the full diversity of the industry from next-generation networks to mobile, wireless, broadband, digital content and much more. Exhibiting companies will represent countries as diverse as Canada, the US, UK, Japan, the Netherlands, Slovenia, China, India and Nigeria amongst others, underscoring the event's truly global nature.
"We are very pleased to welcome such an impressive mix of exhibiting companies to Hong Kong, China and to our WORLD event. This broad-based participation, both in geographically and in terms of the range of technologies represented, shows that the ICT industry is truly back in fighting fit form," said Yoshio Utsumi, ITU Secretary-General. "It is my belief that this WORLD event will be a critical milestone for the industry, in terms of new technologies unveiled, connections that will be forged as well as positive progress which will be made in extending the reach of ICTs."
Major industry names will be in evidence throughout a packed venue, from the Show Floor, to the TELECOM VILLAGE, the Forum and elsewhere. Top players include China Mobile, China Telecommunications, Hitachi, HP, Huawei, LG, Lucent, Microsoft, Motorola, NEC, OKI, QUALCOMM, SK Telecom, Sun Microsystems and ZTE. Click here for a full list of Exhibiting companies.
"ITU TELECOM WORLD is widely recognized as the premier telecommunications industry event, bringing together leading operators, software and hardware providers, integrators, government officials and others in one venue," said Michael O'Hara, general manager for the Communications Sector, Microsoft. "It's a very exciting time for our industry, and we at Microsoft are focused on helping to shape the future through innovation, technology and partnership with the world's telecommunications organizations."
"Motorola believes the next wave of innovation is upon us - everything is getting digitized, everything digital is going mobile and broadband is becoming as pervasive and as essential as air," said Dr. Simon Leung, LL.D., president, Motorola Asia Pacific. "ITU TELECOM WORLD provides a unique networking platform to connect, inform and enlighten the great minds and companies within the global wireless telecommunications industry."
"ITU TELECOM WORLD is one of the world's leading ICT events," said Bill Davidson, vice president, Global Marketing and Investor Relations for QUALCOMM. "QUALCOMM is committed to supporting our partners throughout the wireless value chain, and the ITU event provides a good venue for us to connect with both existing and new partners."
"ITU TELECOM WORLD has consistently proven to be the ultimate event for networking with all of the major players in the worldwide telecommunications industry," said Darrell Jordan-Smith, vice president of communications at Sun Microsystems. "With 2006 seeing major growth in the telecommunications industry, Sun Microsystems is committed to finding new and innovative ways to connect the global community through open standards-based technologies to accelerate growth in the telecommunications industry. We believe that open standards and participation create great ideas and when great ideas are shared, anything is possible."
As well as major established corporations, a number of new exhibitors are also taking part in the event, representing dynamic growth sectors and cutting-edge technologies from around the world. First time exhibitors at a WORLD event include Agilent Technologies, Business Logic Systems, China Mobile, China Netcom, PacketVision, Trolltech, ICANN, and avex/ChengTian.
According to Charlie Horrell, CEO, PacketVision, "As a young company addressing the global IPTV market, Packet Vision needs to make every dollar count. ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 promises to be an excellent springboard to launch us into a number of key territories. Logistics have been painless and the show looks like being a very effective way both to reinforce existing relationships and to meet potential new partners and customers."
Meanwhile, David Walker, CEO of leading mobile customer prepaid loyalty player, Business Logic Systems, added, "As the company grows from strength to strength, the time is now right for us to attend this 'Olympics' of the telecoms industry calendar. With a large proportion of our current tier one mobile operator business located in the Asia-Pacific Region, as well as several recently opened regional offices, ITU TELECOM WORLD's Hong Kong location is all the more relevant for us. We have a great deal to offer mobile operators in the region who are looking to maximize revenues from their prepaid subscriber bases. We look forward to an extremely successful event."
"ITU brings together industry thought leaders in the global telecom arena and is a must for companies aiming to spearhead mobile innovation," says Haavard Nord, co-CEO of Trolltech. "Over 4 million phones built with Trolltech's Qtopia platform for Linux-based mobiles have already shipped, and our presence will put the spotlight on Linux as a serious and fast-growing player in the mobile phone space."
The event will also recognize ICT achievements from around the world. National and Regional pavilions will highlight the ICT sectors of Belgium, Canada, Egypt, the Netherlands, Finland, France, Hong Kong (China), Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Macau (China), Russia, Spain, the UK and the US. Industry Pavilions will look at the explosive impact of the Internet, GPON and WiMAX around the world.
Also new to the show floor will be the Digital Life Theatre, a dynamic, futuristic presentation venue where visitors can watch showcase presentations on the future of the Digital World.
Hosted by the government of the People's Republic of China, and organized by ITU, ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 stands out as the most international ICT tradeshow and networking event of the year.
Accredit now to be sure to be part of this crucial event.
M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [e-mail].
Document MTPW000020061123e2bn003ml

Industry's who's who prepares for ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006; Leading ICT names and exciting newcomers reflect industry's good recovery; Accredit now to be sure to be a part of this key event!
1,485 words

22 November 2006

M2 Presswire

MTPW

English

(c) 2006 M2 Communications, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Geneva - With a number of new growth areas and next-generation products and services set to revolutionize the way we communicate on a global scale, the information and communication technology (ICT) industry is showing very positive signs of good health. Nowhere is this good health more in evidence than at ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006, taking place in Hong Kong, China from 4-8 December, where top ICT players from around the world will flock to make the right connections, explore the latest ICT innovations and enjoy the industry's renewed vigour.
Along with the biggest industry names, exhibiting companies and organizations will also encompass new technology segments and growth regions from around the world. As well as extensive geographical reach, exhibiting companies at ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 will represent the full diversity of the industry from next-generation networks to mobile, wireless, broadband, digital content and much more. Exhibiting companies will represent countries as diverse as Canada, the US, UK, Japan, the Netherlands, Slovenia, China, India and Nigeria amongst others, underscoring the event's truly global nature.
"We are very pleased to welcome such an impressive mix of exhibiting companies to Hong Kong, China and to our WORLD event. This broad-based participation, both in geographically and in terms of the range of technologies represented, shows that the ICT industry is truly back in fighting fit form," said Yoshio Utsumi, ITU Secretary-General. "It is my belief that this WORLD event will be a critical milestone for the industry, in terms of new technologies unveiled, connections that will be forged as well as positive progress which will be made in extending the reach of ICTs."
Major industry names will be in evidence throughout a packed venue, from the Show Floor, to the TELECOM VILLAGE, the Forum and elsewhere. Top players include China Mobile, China Telecommunications, Hitachi, HP, Huawei, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, NEC, OKI, QUALCOMM, SK Telecom, Sun Microsystems and ZTE. Click here for a full list of Exhibiting companies.
"ITU TELECOM WORLD is widely recognized as the premier telecommunications industry event, bringing together leading operators, software and hardware providers, integrators, government officials and others in one venue," said Michael O'Hara, general manager for the Communications Sector, Microsoft. "It's a very exciting time for our industry, and we at Microsoft are focused on helping to shape the future through innovation, technology and partnership with the world's telecommunications organizations."
"Motorola believes the next wave of innovation is upon us - everything is getting digitized, everything digital is going mobile and broadband is becoming as pervasive and as essential as air," said Dr. Simon Leung, LL.D., president, Motorola Asia Pacific. "ITU TELECOM WORLD provides a unique networking platform to connect, inform and enlighten the great minds and companies within the global wireless telecommunications industry."
"ITU TELECOM WORLD is one of the world's leading ICT events," said Bill Davidson, vice president, Global Marketing and Investor Relations for QUALCOMM. "QUALCOMM is committed to supporting our partners throughout the wireless value chain, and the ITU event provides a good venue for us to connect with both existing and new partners."
"ITU TELECOM WORLD has consistently proven to be the ultimate event for networking with all of the major players in the worldwide telecommunications industry," said Darrell Jordan-Smith, vice president of communications at Sun Microsystems. "With 2006 seeing major growth in the telecommunications industry, Sun Microsystems is committed to finding new and innovative ways to connect the global community through open standards-based technologies to acellerate growth in the telecommunications industry. We believe that open standards and participation create great ideas and when great ideas are shared, anything is possible."
As well as major established corporations, a number of new exhibitors are also taking part in the event, representing dynamic growth sectors and cutting-edge technologies from around the world. First time exhibitors at a WORLD event include Agilent Technologies, Business Logic Systems, China Mobile, China Netcom, PacketVision, Trolltech, ICANN, and avex/ChengTian.
According to Charlie Horrell, CEO, PacketVision, "As a young company addressing the global IPTV market, Packet Vision needs to make every dollar count. ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 promises to be an excellent springboard to launch us into a number of key territories. Logistics have been painless and the show looks like being a very effective way both to reinforce existing relationships and to meet potential new partners and customers."
Meanwhile, David Walker, CEO of leading mobile customer prepaid loyalty player, Business Logic Systems, added, "As the company grows from strength to strength, the time is now right for us to attend this 'Olympics' of the telecoms industry calendar. With a large proportion of our current tier one mobile operator business located in the Asia-Pacific Region, as well as several recently opened regional offices, ITU TELECOM WORLD's Hong Kong location is all the more relevant for us. We have a great deal to offer mobile operators in the region who are looking to maximize revenues from their prepaid subscriber bases. We look forward to an extremely successful event."
"ITU brings together industry thought leaders in the global telecom arena and is a must for companies aiming to spearhead mobile innovation," says Haavard Nord, co-CEO of Trolltech. "Over 4 million phones built with Trolltech's Qtopia platform for Linux-based mobiles have already shipped, and our presence will put the spotlight on Linux as a serious and fast-growing player in the mobile phone space."
The event will also recognize ICT achievements from around the world. National and Regional pavilions will highlight the ICT sectors of Belgium, Canada, Egypt, the Netherlands, Finland, France, Hong Kong (China), Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Macau (China), Russia, Spain, the UK and the US. Industry Pavilions will look at the explosive impact of the Internet, GPON and WiMAX around the world.
Also new to the show floor will be the Digital Life Theatre, a dynamic, futuristic presentation venue where visitors can watch showcase presentations on the future of the Digital World.
Hosted by the government of the People's Republic of China, and organized by ITU, ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 stands out as the most international ICT tradeshow and networking event of the year.
Accredit now to be sure to be part of this crucial event. www.itu.int/WORLD2006/registration/index.html .
About ITU
ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology (ICT). As a membership organization, it provides a global platform for governments and the private sector from around the world to develop and coordinate networks and services. Founded in 1865, ITU has a track-record in coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbits, working to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems.
ITU TELECOM WORLD is a global event that takes place every three years showcasing state-of-the-art information and communication technologies. The event attracts the world's most influential and significant names across the ICT industry from service providers to government decision-makers and regulators. By bringing together the full spectrum of ICT players, the event provides a unique platform for the most innovative minds across the industry to network, brainstorm on policies, technologies and ideas that will shape the nature, direction and future of ICT.
From broadband internet to latest-generation wireless technologies, from aeronautical and maritime navigation to radio astronomy and satellite-based meteorology, from phone and fax services to TV broadcasting and next-generation networks, ITU continues to play a central role in helping the world communicate.
M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [e-mail].
Document MTPW000020061123e2bm003h2
China and Africa - unlikely bedfellows
1,031 words

21 November 2006

China Knowledge Press

CHIKNO

English

Copyright 2006 China Knowledge Online Pte Ltd. All rights Reserved.
Technology is often lacking in many African nations. So before embarking on the road to extract raw materials, China needs to help Africa with its infrastructure first Hindered by vast distance as well as the lack of technology, China and Africa seldom come into contact historically. Of course, the expedition by the famous Chinese Admiral Zheng He in 1405 was a most notable exception. Back then, a grand naval expedition with a total of 27,000 crew members and some 600-foot-long ships sailed through the Straits of Malacca, the Indian Ocean and right across to the shores of Africa, to as far south as the Mozambique Channel. Six hundred years later, the lack of relations is fast becoming history. With globalisation and technology leading to improved cultural understanding, Sino-African relations are growing. China's enthusiasm to form relations with Africa coupled with China's search for new raw materials, especially oil, to fuel its booming economy has hogged the headlines.
And Africa, endowed with the earth's greatest depository of raw materials, seems to have what China needs. There is a recent trend of Chinese officials visiting Africa, from the beginning of this year. On Jan 5, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing visited Cape Verde, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Nigeria, and Libya. Mr Li's visit paved the way for President Hu Jintao in April 2006, who, flanked by senior Chinese officials and businessmen, visited the governments of Morocco, Nigeria and Kenya, signing trade and friendship treaties. In seven days, from June 17-24, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also visited 15 African countries, including Egypt, Ghana, Congo Republic, Angola, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. These visits culminated in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), more commonly known as the Africa-China Summit. From Nov 3-6, the media watched closely how China attempted to establish relations with 48 African nations. But unlike the visits of Chinese government officials working to establish diplomatic relations, China's efforts to develop economic relations with African nations has been difficult. Technology and, in particular, infrastructure like power supply, telephone services and Internet access is often lacking in many African nations. So before embarking on the road to extract raw materials, China needs to help Africa with its infrastructure first. That is what China has been doing. With nearly US$1 trillion in foreign exchange reserves and a voracious appetite for natural resources, China has decided to spend some of its assets to secure access to the oil, gas, copper, coal and other mineral riches. When the Africa-China Summit ended on Nov 6, more than 2,500 deals worth US$1.9 billion had been concluded between 12 Chinese firms and governments and companies from 11 African countries. The deals covered areas such as infrastructure, telecoms and technological equipment, mineral resource development and insurance. These deals include commitments from China to build expressways in Nigeria, lay a telephone network in rural Ghana, and to build an aluminium smelter in Egypt. With two-way trade valued at US$42 billion in 2005 and estimated at US$50 billion in 2006, both China and Africa can expect to benefit immensely from improved relations. According to Africa's Silk Road - China and India's New Economic Frontier, a World Bank report published in 2006, Africa has the largest number of countries per square area in comparison with other developing nations. On average, each African country shares borders with four neighbours. Africa is also highly geographically segmented, meaning a large proportion of its population live in countries with an unfavourable geographic and economic basis for development. About 40 per cent of Africans live in landlocked countries, compared with 23 per cent of the populations in East and Central Asia. And worsening the situation is Africa's low population density, which is accentuated by high internal transport costs, estimated at nearly twice the levels of other developing regions. The result is that, except for South Africa and Nigeria - the two dominant economies in Africa - the continent comprises countries with small and shallow markets. With poor quality of road, port and aviation services in Africa, transportation has not only created high costs but also slowed down the operations and speed of communications flow within Africa and beyond. Such a state of affairs hinders the rate of foreign direct investments (FDI), essential for developing infrastructure. In its bid to to develop more businesses in Africa, China has settled on telecommunications, one of the fastest-growing industries in Africa. One of the companies to recognise this early is Alcatel Shanghai Bell (ASB), which expects Africa to play a major role in its overseas expansion. Way before the current Africa-China hype, the flagship Chinese telecoms equipment maker won a US$150 million contract to build a national telecoms network in Ghana in 2003, the largest of its kind in Africa for the Chinese company. Currently, ASB's domestic rivals Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp have also been gaining momentum in Africa. Huawei now employs more than 2,000 people in Africa, more than half of whom are locals. The firm has also set up training centres in Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt and Tunisia, which has helped develop local expertise in communications technologies. With the advanced communications technology, Chinese businesses will be able to do what was impossible for their predecessors 600 years ago - maintain constant contact between Africa and China. China could also go against the popular belief that its sole purpose in establishing Africa-China relations is to obtain as much raw materials as possible. Beijing could impart some technology to Africa. Although it is widely held that China, currently growing its economy mainly from manufacturing industries, would be doing itself a disfavour by helping Africa develop its manufacturing base, a win-win situation for China and Africa could emerge. Just as China lured foreign investors with its massive market of a 1.3 billion population, Africa with a population of 0.88 billion could also be another attractive emerging market in which China would be the first to reap profit. Lynda Hong is a writer with China Knowledge, an information provider on China's economy
Document CHIKNO0020061121e2bl00009

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