IMS has moved from being a vision into an industry reality. Fixed operators are today considering network restructuring with this next-generation architecture. Mobile operators introduce IMS for similar reasons as well as introducing new services. Operators with both fixed and mobile operations see an opportunity for network and service convergence by introducing IMS into their network.

How can IMS support operators in today's and tomorrow's business environment? When is the right time to introduce IMS? What are the real driving forces and challenges of deploying IMS?

This session will focus on the experience that operators have with IMS. The panel features operator representatives who will share their experience of business models and deciding on and installing an IMS system in their network.

Magnus Furustam Vice President IMS Program Ericsson

Mr. Furustam's responsibilities cover both fixed and mobile engagement in IMS, as well as the Ericsson mobile platform parts. Within the program, Mr. Furustam manages the R&D parts and the strategic product-management aspects. He has more than fifteen years of experience in the industry and has been working with IMS for the past five years. Before joining the IMS program, Mr. Furustam was heading the system management unit in the IMS R&D organization. Before that, he held a number of senior management positions at Ericsson.

Todd Ashton Director, IMS Market Support Ericsson AB

Mr. Ashton is director of IMS market support for the Ericsson Group in Sweden. Mr. Ashton has been active in the IMS efforts at Ericsson since 2002 and is currently leading the marketing and sales activities for Ericsson's IMS portfolio. During his employment at Ericsson, he held different leading positions focused on driving sales for Ericsson's IP backbone networks, operations support systems (OSS), and billing systems. Mr. Ashton has almost a decade of experience in the telecommunications industry. Prior to his career at Ericsson, Mr. Ashton supported Bell Atlantic (now Verizon Communications) in implementing their next-generation billing system.

Henrik Bavnbek Product Management, Marketing Department TDC

Mr. Bavnbek is responsible for IN-hosted IP PBX products and IN services in the business subscriber division. The unit serves business customers with voice and data from CPE equipment and communication to managed solutions. He joined the business division in 2000. Before this, he worked and headed development in the residential, services, and network divisions.

Geoffrey Braye Head of Communication Service Group Mobistar

Mr. Braye joined Mobistar in 1997. He is in charge of the operations and the development of communication services, including VoIP/IMS. He was previously core network manager in the network engineering department. He started his career within Mobistar as network planning engineer, combining network planning and network costing works.

Francesco Cuoco Vice President, NGN Business Unit Alcatel Italia

Mr. Cuoco has been in his current position since September 2005. He began his career with Alcatel Italia in 1978 as software technical director for ATM development in the switching division. Previously, Mr. Cuoco worked at the CTO in the Paris headquarters, where he was in charge of the definitions of the strategies for the service delivery platforms, IMS, and convergence. In 2003, he worked in the corporate marketing office with responsibility for the total customer experience as a methodology to improve customer relationships.