As seen through recent innovations such as the iPhone, the popularity of YouTube, and the drive toward "my content, everywhere" services, consumer demands are rapidly growing toward more interactive, personalized, and ubiquitous multimedia services. This presents both challenges and opportunities for network operators. Operators have a unique opportunity to capture new service revenues, strengthen their brand value with the consumer, and architect networks for optimum interactivity and dynamic service adaptability. But in order to realize this opportunity, significant enhancements are required at all levels of the network, from the physical layer (to enable higher BW at longer reach with the requisite QoS) all the way to the application/session control layer (to interwork control frameworks and enable novel service "blends").

This session will examine these changes, the following in particular:

• Targeting the "right" users for the right interactive service mix
• Designing intelligent networks that are highly scalable, adaptive, and available with guaranteed QoS
• The impact on the network of communication and interactivity in the multi-screen environment
• Leveraging technologies to create valuable services that extend beyond bundled voice, video, and data

Marcus Weldon Chief Technology Officer, Access Division Alcatel-Lucent

Dr. Weldon was appointed to his current position in December 2006. In 2005, he became the chief technology officer for the broadband solutions business group in Lucent Technologies, with responsibility for wireline access networks and IPTV, and was instrumental in defining the next-generation access portfolio and IPTV strategy, including the initial vision for the interworking of IMS and IPTV service architectures.

Jörg Benze Senior Consultant, Innovation and Internationalisierung T-Systems

Dr. Benze has more than 10 years of experience in communication networks. He was starting as a systems engineer and focused during his dissertation on error detection and automatic fault elimination in enterprise and carrier networks. In 2006, Dr. Benze joined T-Systems MMS, where his work is focusing on the integration of Web 2.0 applications with NGN technology into network integrated services. This new class of applications will tightly interact in an intelligent way with the network to deliver a high-quality multimedia experience to the customer.

David Boughey IPTV Business Development Director Europe Alcatel-Lucent

Mr. Boughey works closely with service provider customers, aligning their business goals with market conditions, trends, and careful selection of technology and solutions. Mr. Boughey's broad experience, spanning 13 years, encompasses all aspects of the IPTV solution. More recently he has been specializing in end-user experience factors such as usability and "enhanced application" development, which bring additional opportunities and differentiation for his service provider customers.

Jeff Heynen Directing Analyst, Broadband and IPTV Infonetics Research

Mr. Heynen covers residential, business, and service provider broadband data and video (mobile and wireline), including equipment, software, services, and subscribers. He authors quarterly equipment market share/forecast reports and annual studies detailing service provider buying plans. Mr. Heynen is a consultant to start-ups, service providers, and manufacturers, identifying new market opportunities and advising on positioning, product development, and business plans. Before joining Infonetics Research in 2005, he spent four years as senior product marketing manager with VoIP switch equipment start-up sentitO Networks.

Ofer Weintraub Chief Technology Officer Orca Interactive

Dr. Weintraub is a highly commended speaker on next-generation applications in the media industry. With in-depth expertise in researching and developing advanced IPTV technologies, he is skilled at exploring the realm of revolutionary TV content offerings and their effect on consumer markets. Dr. Weintraub has been in his current position since November 2005. He was previously a telecom and cellular consultant with The Standard Insider, where he focused on mobile data services and IP infrastructure (IMS).