Top Telecom Vendors Discuss Latest ICT Developments during Morning Buzz Keynotes at IEC's 21st Century Communications World Forum

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

European Contact: Brian Dolby
Phone: +44 (0)115 948 6901
E-Mail: brian@gbcspr.com

CHICAGO – March 1, 2006 – The International Engineering Consortium's (IEC's) 21st Century Communications World Forum hosts four daily Morning Buzz Keynotes-which discuss converged networks and the latest broadband services available to telecom service providers and are presented by key experts from Huawei, Ericcson AB (ERICY), Siemens (SI), and Alcatel (ALA)-at the Business Design Centre 27–30 March 2006 in London, England.

IEC President John Janowiak stated, "We're thrilled to provide more value-added programming to the complimentary exhibits pass. The Morning Buzz Keynotes provide key insight from leading industry vendors, complementing the rest of our educational programming."

Mr. Jin Wang, Vice President, Head of European Marketing, Huawei Technologies, begins the series of Morning Buzz Keynotes on Monday with his presentation of "Strategies for Wireless-Fixed Broadband Integration," in which he will discuss why telcos need to adhere to a new business model, why they need next-generation convergence at each level of the network, and how new architecture can create more profitable services.

Tuesday's Morning Buzz Keynote, by Mr. Karl Thedéen, Vice President, Wireline Business Unit Systems, Ericsson AB, focuses on "The Next-Generation Network." Mr. Thedéen commented, "I will describe how to best prepare for a telecom future, where reliable, high-capacity IP connectivity is a must and the end-user value can be created by network-based services as well as by services residing in the end systems." He further explained, "These new realities of telecom networks call for a cost-efficient architecture optimized for throughput and service injection, while leveraging automated processes for provisioning and resource allocation to keep OPEX low."

"Service Creation and Assembly – the SDP as Platform to Provide the BT Business and Consumer Broadband Services," is the Wednesday Morning Buzz Keynote. Mr. Andreas Mueller-Schubert, President, Fixed Networks Solutions Communications, Siemens AG, will discuss how to set up a "service creation and assembly" factory that is capable of hosting the new services as well as flexible enough to respond to incoming change requests quickly using quality of service, session description protocol, operations support systems, and more.

Finally, Mr. Rik Missault, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Fixed Solutions Division, Alcatel, will present Thursday's Morning Buzz Keynote, entitled "The Convergence Factor." Mr. Missault explained, "This keynote will focus on the role and value of converged services, in terms of new ARPU and retention value. We will cover mobile, fixed, and broadband/IPTV applications; their potential impact on the value chain; and the role of IMS..."

Mr. Missault concluded, "The 21st Century Communications World Forum will give participants an inside view as to how the industry is changing to bring end users the services they really want."

Industry professionals can register at www.iec.org/events/2006/21/register/.

Accredited members of the press can receive complete and complimentary access at www.iec.org/events/2006/21/press/press_reg.html.

Visit www.iec.org/events/2006/21/ or contact Lisa Reyes at +1-312-559-3325 or lreyes@iec.org or Brian Dolby at +44 (0)115 948 6901 or brian@gbcspr.com for more information.

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About the 21st Century Communications World Forum 2006
The 21st Century Communications World Forum 2006 will analyze the business and technology requirements for making convergent IP communications on a carrier scale a reality in today's world. In 2005, the inaugural 21st Century Communications World Forum drew more than 2,000 registrants eager to discuss the latest advances behind the move toward customer-centric information and communications technologies. The 21st Century Communications World Forum exhibition is a must-see show for ICT professionals and service providers wishing to discover the latest services available for their end users. Visit www.iec.org/events/2006/21/ for complete information.

The co-located IMS Global ComForum premieres at the show, expanding educational opportunities available to attendees on the show floor as well as in the conference and revealing the latest in IMS. Visit www.iec.org/events/2006/ims/ for a full listing of IMS sessions.

About the IEC
The International Engineering Consortium (IEC) is a nonprofit organization 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. The IEC also manages the activities of the Enterprise Communications Consortium. For more information, please visit www.iec.org.