Grupo Salinas Chairman Ricardo Salinas Delivers Keynote Message During VII Foro Iberoamericano of the Asociacion Iberoamericana de Centros de Investigacion y Empresas de Telecomunicaciones

--Presentation "The Mobile Telephone as a Development Tool" Highlights Benefits of Iusacell for Bottom-of-the-Pyramid Consumers-- --"Where there is no Connectivity, there is no Quality of Life," said Salinas--
MEXICO CITY, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Salinas, a group of dynamic, fast-growing and technologically advanced companies deeply committed to the modernization of the countries where they operate, is pleased to announce a successful keynote address presented today by its chairman and founder, Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego during the VII Foro Iberoamericano of the Asociacion Iberoamericana de Centros de Investigacion y Empresas de Telecomunicaciones (AHCIET) held at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.
With a talk entitled "La Telefonia Movil como Herramienta para el Desarrollo" (The Mobile Telephone as a Development Tool), Mr. Salinas was positive about the growth of the telecommunications market, adding that the industry could grow to 50 billion connections by the year 2020, as machines as well as people will increasingly operate with wireless connectivity.
He cautioned that the "biggest risk looking to 2020 is overregulation and excessive taxation that could curtail competition and innovation in the industry."
Mr. Salinas presented special applications designed by Grupo Iusacell to combat societal problems in Chiapas, one of the poorest states in Mexico. One application, called Taxista Vigilante, allows taxi drivers in the cities of Tuxtla Gutierrez and Tapachula to become the eyes and ears for security and public safety problems with a system that combines GPS services, texting and emergency panic buttons.
"Where there is no connectivity, there is no quality of life," he added, citing that the lowest levels of connectivity in the world can be found in countries like North Korea and Cuba.
He also showcased a handheld wireless router product, known as Mi-Fi, an interesting application to control delivery fleets, and other technologies to monitor activity at points of sales. He also presented an application called Red Movil, which allows bill payments, deposits and account information from a handset.
With state-of-the-art developments, Grupo Iusacell consolidates its technological leadership in Mexico and contributes to improving the quality of life of millions of families as well as the efficiency of economic activities throughout the country.
Company Profile
Grupo Salinas (www.gruposalinas.com) is a group of dynamic, fast-growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, contributing to build the middle class of the countries where they operate, and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates a as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies, TV Azteca (www.irtvazteca.com), Azteca America (www.aztecaamerica.com), Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx), Banco Azteca (www.bancoazteca.com.mx), Afore Azteca (www.aforeazteca.com.mx), Seguros Azteca (www.segurosazteca.com.mx), and Grupo Iusacell (www.iusacell.com). Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. However, member companies share a common vision, values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and world-class performance.
About Grupo Iusacell
Grupo Iusacell, S.A.B. de C.V. (www.iusacell.com) is a wireless cellular and PCS service provider in Mexico with a national footprint. Iusacell offers more and better voice communication and data services through state-of-the-art technology, such as its new 3G network, throughout all of the regions in which it operates. In addition to its core mobile telephony services, Iusacell also provides a wide range of other telecommunications services, including long distance, wireless local telephony and data transmission services.
About AHCIET
AHCIET is the Ibero-American Association of Research Centers and Telecommunication Enterprises. Founded in 1982, AHCIET is a non-profit organization. More than 50 Latin American and Spanish telecommunications companies have joined us with the sole purpose of contributing to telecommunications development as a basis of every nation's growth. Our mission is to be the meeting point for telecommunication operators in Latin America, and to offer our members products and services focused on developing knowledge management, training and social applications and business opportunities. AHCIET also promotes cooperation agreements with international organizations, manufacturers and service providers with the objective of generating complete information in regulatory, technological and commercial issues as well as vectors directed towards the development of the global information society.

    Grupo Salinas International Press Contact:
    Daniel McCosh
    (5255) 1720-0059
    dmccosh@gruposalinas.com.mx

SOURCE Grupo Salinas; Ricardo Salinas; Grupo Iusacell