MUMBAI: The world consumer electronics fair IFA 2005 takes place from 2-7 September 2005 in Berlin, Germany.

Apart from television and entertainment, personal communication, personal computing and games and digital imaging and digital music, the exhibitions taking place will also include a sixth section, devoted to 'Satellite, Networks & Cable' (SNC).

IFA 2005 is expecting 110,000 visitors. There will be 1032 exhibitors. The event takes place twice a year.

Messe Berlin is organising the event. The company's director information & communication Jens Heithecker said, "Even now, just over four months before the start of the IFA, all available space has been booked in Hall 2.1, which houses SNC."

"This new concept, which we introduced two years ago, has already proved its effectiveness. We have made further refinements and are delighted with the increases in display area, in the numbers of exhibitors and in the international make-up of this section," states Heithecker.

According to an official communiqué, digital television will be at the heart of the SNC display, offering the latest equipment for receiving cable, satellite and terrestrial television signals.

The main focus will be on set-top boxes, satellite technology, multimedia cable systems and accessories. Another important area covered by the SNC presentation is that of home networking, and in particular the links between consumer electronics, telecommunications, domestic appliances and the Internet.

60 international exhibitors from countries such as China, France, Poland and Taiwan, and leading exhibitors including Kathrein, KWS Electronic, TechniSat Digital, Homecast, Humax Digital, Pace Micro Technology, Radix, Strong Deutschland, Transmedia and Triax will make theirm presence felt.

The space available for SNC includes display by groups representing specialist dealers, and by Infotip.

Heithecker explains that, although the SNC section of the exhibition is intended primarily for trade visitors, and for specialist dealers in particular, the general public will also be able to learn about the products and services on show because, with the exception of the reception for international trade visitors, access to this hall is open to all visitors to the fair.

There are also plans to present papers each day at the Trade Visitors' Reception, which is part of the exhibition in Hall 2.1,

Some topics such as digital receiving systems and high definition television (HDTV) would be presented. "We are also providing tours, tailored to the requirements of trade visitors, of the various thematic modules", Heithecker adds.

Another feature to which he draws attention is the daily Navigation Breakfast, which will be taking place right from the start of the fair, providing trade visitors with a concentrated overview of each day's main events and themes during the IFA, informs the media release.