Telecom operators in the region need to prepare for a surge in customers as the market's growth rate exceeds 100 per cent over the next couple of years, says a report.

According to Xceed Professional Services, the premier customer contact consulting practice in the Mena region, service standards are at risk of being neglected as operators focus on technology and network investments only.

At the Middle East Communications Exhibition 2007 (Mecom), taking place later this month in Abu Dhabi, Xceed Professional Services will be speaking to telecommunication professionals about how raising customer service standards can support and drive growth strategies as well as development into advanced service integration - which is the upcoming industry trend.

"Telcos are constantly expressing supreme confidence in their customer service, and asserting that their customer satisfaction levels are high," said managing director, Xceed Professional Services, Ahmed Refky.

"But when asked to show the data to demonstrate these claims, there isn't much. Operators are moving towards service integration, to simplify the customer experience," he added.

Xceed Professional Services is the sole implementation partner for the Customer Operations Performance Centre Inc. (COPC Inc.), the global body for setting the customer service standards.

The COPC-2000 CSP Standard is the first and only global certification designed specifically to guarantee contact centre excellence worldwide.

Adopting the processes within this standard have proven their effectiveness with organisations worldwide, with increased revenues, cost savings on running their contact centres and significant reduction in customer churn.

Mecom 2007 takes place at the National Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi from April 22 to 25. Xceed Professional Services stand is at Hall 3, stand No 74.TradeArabia News Service