The World Forum is a focused, education-centric conference and exhibition in which service providers, wireless carriers, network operators, bandwidth wholesalers, application and content providers, Internet service providers, facilities-based competitive LECs, and equipment and software providers from around the world gather to examine the most pressing challenges raised by emerging ICT trends and the rollout of IP-based communication services. Large end-user customers will also benefit from a separate educational track on enterprise issues in IP communications.

Officially Sponsored by BT, the 21st Century Communications World Forum brings together key stakeholders for the purpose of information-sharing and interactive problem-solving in a focused, discussion-based atmosphere.

Carriers often face similar problems in moving their networks and offerings forward, and the World Forum will provide a venue in which actual experiences and advances can be shared in an interactive format.

In addition, leading technology innovators and equipment suppliers will take part in the panel discussions, helping carriers better understand the promise and opportunities afforded by next-generation, packet-based solutions.

At a time when the world is transitioning toward SIP and MPLS converged communications, the 21st Century Communications World Forum is the place where those who must make it happen can share notes, learn from the leaders, and gain a better vision for how to realize the network of tomorrow—today.

The following topics will be addressed at the World Forum:

• The Future of ICT
• Migrating to the 21st Century Network: Transition Strategies and Scenarios
• New Services, New Imperatives: Meeting the Demand for VoIP and other Killer Apps
• Customers' evolving perceptions of value
• The Impact of Convergence on Industry Players and Business Models
• The Business Case for IP: Making the Future Make Sense
• Embracing SIP: Technology Update and Network Implications
• Enterprise Track: Deploying IP-PBX Systems
• Services Provisioning, Control, and Management in an IP World
• Enabling Transition Technologies and Strategies
• IP Services and Applications for the SME
• Ensuring Security of Enterprise VoIP Networks
• Wireless IP: Convergence Trends and Services
• Billing Issues and other OSS Challenges
• The Future of Network Intelligence
• IP Telephony in the Call Center and Enterprise Network
• Delivering IP QoS in a Real-Time Environment
• Carrier IP Centrex
• New Architectures for New Services
• Mobile IP Applications and their Potential for Vertical Industries
• Intelligence and Services in the Mobile Network
• IP Network Security
• Emerging Component Technologies for IP Communications
• SIP and Enterprise Telephony ¡V An Update
• Video Telephony: Where We Stand
• SIP in the Next-Generation Carrier Network
• Managing Voice on the Packet Network
• Transitioning to Next-Gen IP Telephony in the Enterprise