There is an ever increasing overlap in the business opportunities between traditional GSM; Telco operators; and the emerging alternative Voice providers (Internet Telephony Service Providers). As a result, the South African telecoms space is becoming more competitive as business models change and operators move towards offering a wider variety of products and services.

Despite this trend towards convergence, the industry remains remarkably fragmented in their relation to each other, the market, and the new business opportunities available to them.

Rob Lith, Director of Connection Telecom echoes this sentiment: "The segregation we see within the telecoms industry is somewhat of a paradox. Industry players themselves should be converging; learning from; and working with each other."

Douglas Reed of Vox Telecom, also notes: "The industry at large needs to understand the value of solidarity in addressing the issues and challenges it faces today."

VoiceSA, a free industry event, aims to bring together the various industry players, in the interest of ensuring a positive future for South African telecoms.

The event will feature presentations by well known local and international industry experts from across the spectrum, including Douglas Reed (Vox Telecom); Steve Song (Shuttleworth Foundation); Wayne Speechly (IS); Rob Lith (Connection Telecom); and Frederic Dickey (Sangoma).

VoiceSA will also address the pertinent questions raised by the emergence of this telecoms landscape: Can smaller providers compete with the bigger incumbents? Where are the new opportunities? Where is the local market headed? How will International trends impact on the local market? Commentary will also be provided on hot current topics such as: Open source, IP PBX telephony, the adoption of VoIP in SA and how to adapt business models in an evolving environment.

"Alternative providers are typically the ones driving innovation. The rest of the industry needs to sit up and take note if they don't want to be left behind," adds Wayne Speechly, General Manager of IS Voice Solutions.

The event will also feature an interactive showcase of next generation technologies including HD Voice; hosted cloud telephony; and open source customer solutions.

VoiceSA takes place on 8 September in Midrand, Johannesburg. Those wishing to attend can register for free at www.voicesa.co.za.