FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Contact: Lisa Reyes
Phone: +1-312-559-3325
E-Mail: lreyes@iec.org

U.S. Contact: Katie Post
Phone: +1-312-559-3658
E-Mail: kpost@iec.org

BRUSSELS - October 1, 2008 - International Engineering Consortium (IEC) President John Janowiak presented Chief Operating Officer of Telefónica S.A. Mr. Julio Linares with the IEC Fellow Award following his keynote address today at Broadband World Forum Europe 2008, which takes place until tomorrow at the Brussels Expo.

Honored with the most prestigious tribute from the IEC, Mr. Linares received his award in front of hundreds of industry professionals in the main auditorium; Mr. Linares helps lead more than 250 speakers at the Broadband World Forum Europe 2008 as one of its featured keynoters.

"Each of the IEC fellows exemplify extremely admirable characteristics we should all try emulate as industry professionals," commented Mr. Janowiak. "We are especially pleased to recognize Mr. Linares today for his noteworthy contributions to the industry as a telecom leader and visionary."

Mr. Linares joins the ranks of other distinguished IEC Fellows such as Vint Cerf, John Chambers, Irwin Jacobs, Jack Kilby, Scott McNealy, Gordon Moore, David Packard, Hector Ruiz, and Andrew Viterbi.

The IEC Board of Directors established the IEC Fellow Award in 1994 to recognize individuals who have provided the information industry with a superior level of sustained, significant service. The areas of service considered for this award include education, technology, and industry leadership.

Mr. Linares was appointed chief operating officer of Telefónica S.A. in December 2007. In December 2005, he became director-general for co-ordination, business development, and synergies at Telefónica S.A., where he has a seat on the Board and is the secretary of the Executive Committee.

In June 2005, he was named chairman of the supervisory board at Cesky Telecom. He was appointed chief executive of Telefónica de España in January 2000.

In May 1998, he became director-general for Strategy and Technology. In July 1997, he was appointed managing director of Telefónica Multimedia. In December 1994, he took over as deputy director-general for Marketing and Development of Services in Telefónica's Commercial Area and then as assistant director-general for Business Marketing. In April 1990, he became director general of Telefónica Investigación y Desarrollo.

Mr. Linares joined Telefónica in May 1970 and held several positions before being appointed director of Telefónica's Technology and Technical Regulations Department in 1984.

Industry professionals can still attend the Broadband World Forum Europe 2008 by registering at the Brussels Expo (Hall 10).

To view the award presentation visit
www.iec.org/events/2008/bbwf/keynotes/keynote_lopez_award.asp.

Visit http://www.iec.org/events/2008/bbwf/ or contact Lisa Reyes at +1-312-559-3325 or at lreyes@iec.org.

About the IEC
A nonprofit organization, the IEC is dedicated to catalyzing technology and business progress worldwide in a range of high-technology industries and their university communities. Since 1944, the IEC has provided high-quality educational opportunities for industry professionals, academics, and students.

In conjunction with industry-leading companies, the IEC has developed an extensive, free, on-line educational program. The IEC conducts industry-university programs that have substantial impact on curricula. It also conducts research and develops publications, conferences, and technological exhibits that address major opportunities and challenges of the information age.

More than 70 leading high-technology universities are IEC affiliates, and the IEC handles the affairs of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association and Eta Kappa Nu, the honor society for electrical and computer engineers. Please visit www.iec.org.