European operators seem to be waking up, as evidenced by the recent announcement from FT, which is taking up the fiber-to-the-home mantle in France. However, DT in Germany and Belgacom in Belgium are opting to extend fiber part of the way to the home (within 3,000 to 5,000 feet) and extending VDSL in the last mile.

Capgemini's TME Strategy Lab is investigating fiber deployments worldwide to analyze the key market factors influencing operators' interest in deploying fiber. They are also evaluating the cost economics of deploying fiber and analyzing what a suitable game plan is for European operators in light of expected bandwidth demand from triple-play services and suitability of the existing copper infrastructure to meet these requirements.

This session will focus on the European developments in the area of FTTx and highlight key factors in its continued deployment and potential effects on services.

Jerome Buvat Global Head of Telecom, Media and Entertainment Strategy Lab Capgemini

Mr. Buvat's recent studies include a review of the new DSL business models in Europe and an in-depth analysis of the home gateway market. Before assuming his current role, he led a variety of strategy projects in the telecom sector, focusing particularly on the mobile, broadband and wholesale segments.

Martin Schenk Vice President, Marketing Communications Access Business Unit Infineon Technologies

Dr. Schenk is responsible for the marketing in the Communications Access Business unit. Prior to joining Infineon in January 2005, Dr. Schenk held a number of managerial positions with market-leading companies, including: vice president of marketing for DSL products for Centillium Communications; director of marketing and a member of the executive management team at Ishoni Networks; and business development and product marketing for Siemens Semiconductors. He started his career in R&D at the Institute for Integrated Circuits, where he established and managed a research group for broadband access focusing on DSL, home networking, and broadband fixed wireless.

Dougal Scott Director of Policy Development Ofcom

Mr. Scott is responsible for tracking, contributing to and influencing major external policy initiatives in the United Kingdom, European Union, and anywhere else that might impact on Ofcom's responsibilities. He is also responsible for co-ordinating the Government's Better Regulation agenda within Ofcom: monitoring the impact of regulation, and ensuring that regulation does not impose an inappropriate burden. He is a senior member of the Strategy and Market Development division of Ofcom, which monitors developments in the markets that Ofcom regulates, identifies up-coming regulatory issues and establishes Ofcom's approach toward them.