BICSI is a professional organization that has operated since 1974, with over 24,000 members in 90 countries. It establishes academic guidelines and promotes high-level education in the telecommunications industry. The BICSI Andean Congress 2012 will be held in Colombia as a trade show and academic event focused on telecommunications infrastructure, with the theme "Breaking paradigms in information transportation." It is a major commercial and networking event that brings together around 600 industry professionals every other year.