"As recently as the end of 2003, IMS was still widely seen as an interesting but limited mechanism for offering new multimedia services on 3G cellular mobile networks. Now it is variously seen as the anchor for next-generation networks, the underlying mechanism for delivering a host of new IP services at a fraction of the previous cost, the basis for a complete convergence between fixed and mobile networks, and the salvation of incumbent telcos as they prepare to battle Skype and other challenges presented by IP and the public Internet." (Independent market research firm, Heavy Reading)

In this session, industry leaders will discuss the challenges of managing IMS. A number of deployment scenarios, including FMC architectures, will be discussed. Attendees will gain insight into the best way to address IMS issues such as provisioning, billing, service diagnosis, system/business application integration, and end-to-end service performance monitoring and assurance.

Peter Clarke Director, Service Provider Routing Technology Group Cisco Systems

Mr. Clarke co-leads the development of Cisco's service exchange strategy. Between 1999 and 2001, he led Cisco's focus on the competitive carrier market. Prior to that position, he spent five years in Cisco's corporate business development group focused on technology licensing, joint ventures, and OEM. He started his career in the Telecommunications Research Laboratory of the General Electric Company in London and moved to California in 1988 to join National Semiconductor, where he focused on advanced product planning for telecom and datacom products.

Sandy Aitken Global Director of IP Multimedia Subsystems Solution, Global Telecommunications Industry IBM

Mr. Aitken has since amassed more than 14 years experience in the IT and telecoms sector within operator, systems integrator, and consulting environments. He currently leads IBM's Business Consulting Services Telecommunications Solutions team in Europe, providing solutions support to the regional industry teams. Mr. Aitken has worked with a large number of top-tier U.K. and EMEA mobile and fixed telecommunication operators in areas such as UMTS/GPRS, IP-enabled business, billing, wireless business, and delivery infrastructure.

Doug Bellinger Chief Technology Officer Atreus Systems

Mr. Bellinger drives Atreus' technology vision and leads the product direction for Atreus' industry-leading service provisioning solution for voice, data, and advanced applications. Since co-founding Atreus in 1999, he has helped create an emerging industry definition of the next-generation applications layer and established Atreus' leadership in the IP services and VoIP market. One of the networking industry's foremost software architects, Mr. Bellinger holds five patents in telecommunications technologies.

Tom Caldwell Director of Engineering Cisco Systems

Mr. Caldwell and his team are responsible for the development of advanced management applications for mobile wireless and broadband networks. In his leadership role, he provides the guidance, business strategy, and product development strategy for network management products targeted at service providers and large operators. Prior to joining Cisco in 2000 through an acquisition, Mr. Caldwell held the position of vice president of Engineering for CAIS Internet. With a master's degree in computer science, Mr. Caldwell has more than 20 years of experience in software engineering, including employment at Rockwell and Microsoft.

Hossein Parandeh Director of Marketing IMS and Push-to-X Solutions, Global Marketing and Strategy Motorola

Mr. Parandeh is an integral part of Motorola's IMS, which covers product introduction and rollout to operators worldwide. His global marketing responsibilities touch all markets and provide him with a global perspective of the potential that PTX services offer and how they may apply to particular subscriber segments and operator market needs. In particular, Mr. Parandeh is working closely with the relevant Motorola and third-party organizations as PTX is standardized through the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) and evolves as a key member of Motorola's IMS family of products. Mr. Parandeh joined Motorola in 1995.