Gossip

3GSM? "Can't afford it, mate" - GSMA member locked out

Your Sniffer was invited to meet An Important Member of the GSM Association- you know, mobile phone gurus. The big event of the GSMA is, of course, 3GSM in Barcelona. "Would you like to meet me there?" the Hunky Mouse asked. "Oh no!" said he.

He suggests we meet at one of the hotels in downtown Barcelona during the show. "That's really not convenient," it was pointed out. "You're a member of the GSMA staff; just march into the show for goodness sake, and we'll have a cup of tea!"

"Haven't got a budget for that," said the GSMA man. Tea too expensive? "No, can't afford the entry fee for the 3GSM show. No budget for it."

He's not just a big GSMA member. He's actually on the full time staff. It's the GSMA show. And all revenues go to Informa.

Just what were the GSMA member doing when they signed that contract to license the show to Informa...? Obviously, not Bolivian marching powder... Night Nurse, perhaps?

Well, it was always something of a mystery. But now, the mystery has been enhanced. This year, the old excuse that "It all goes to Informa!" won't work. Informa and GSMA severed their contractual relationship a year ago. 3GSM World Congress 2006 was done under the old deal ("No Freebies For GSMA Members") but 2007 is all owned by GSMA.

Explain it. Your Sniffer is baffled...