The convergence of fixed and mobile services is an important topic of conversation among all telecommunications executives. But what does fixed-mobile convergence mean, exactly? Why is it more than just dual-mode handsets? What does fixed-mobile convergence mean for the future of the network, and what are the implications for operations?

Session presenters will discuss the role that IMS will play in enabling new services, as well as a number of innovative approaches taken by telecommunications companies in their early deployments.

Alexandre Colcher Partner Director, Communications and High Tech Accenture

Mr. Colcher joined Accenture in 1994 where he has been dealing with projects in different telecom players both in Brazil and in other regions. He is an engineer by the UFRJ, and he has a degree in business administration by University of California at Berkeley and a degree in telecommunications by FGV-RJ.

Ana Paula Araújo Manager Oi

Guido Candiani Vice President, Sales Operations Latin America Italtel

Mr. Candiani started his career in 1989 at Aerovironment (California, USA) and spent the following year in Telettra Spain, the Spanish subsidiary of the Fiat Group telecommunications manufacturer company. He joined Italtel, where he covered various roles in the product and marketing management, and in 1996 he became COO of Cubatel, a joint venture between the Ministry of Electronics Industry of Cuba and the Italtel group. He covered roles of higher responsibility as Latin America sales director and Italtel Brasil COO. In 2002 he came back to Italtel headquarters and became responsible for the product and project management of the group.

Leonardo Finizola Vice President and CTO, Europe and North Region Alcatel-Lucent

Mr. Finizola is responsible for elaborating strategies for and with key customers and for representing customers needs inside the Alcatel-Lucent group. Previously, he was leader of Alcatel in ETSI TISPAN working in aspects of FMC. Mr. Leonardo also worked at Brasil Telecom as technology manager between 2001 and 2003. He has worked at Alcatel-Lucent in many countries and graduated from Universidade Federal da Paraiba with an engineering degree.

Flavio Lang Voice & Convergence Marketing Manager Brasil Telecom

Mr. Lang is responsible for development and management of product portfolios, development of new business, definition of marketing strategy, and support of business operation. Prior for to joining Brasil Telecom, he worked for Intelig Telecom, a local carrier start-up from Sprint, France Telecom, and National Grid, where he led sales and product development department. Mr. Lang has extensive multidisciplinary knowledge and experience in data, broadband, voice, and mobile telecommunications. He is an engineer and holds an M.B.A.

Carlos Pegurier Country Manager Telcordia Technologies

Mr. Pegurier graduated in engineering at PUC-RJ in 1988 and holds a master's in management of technology from the MIT Sloan School of Management in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. In the beginning of his career, he had experience in product management and financial analysis in the consumer goods and chemical industries. Mr. Pegurier joined Lucent in July 1997, where he worked seven years-five years in the Wireless business unit in several capacities and two years as sales director for Lucent Worldwide Services (LWS), then a recently created business unit focused on services. In February 2005, he joined Telcordia Technologies as its general manager in Brazil with the goal of growing the business as well as the local presence. Since August 2006 Mr. Pegurier is also responsible for all Alliances initiatives in Latin America.

Hermann Rodler Head of Sales, Latin America Core Products Nokia Siemens Networks

Dr. Rodler's most recent positions were president and CEO of Siemens Networks S.A. de C.V. and head of the Americas, Spain, and Portugal business unit of the fixed-line networks division at Siemens AG. He joined Siemens in 1987 and has held several senior positions in research and development and product strategy and was responsible for the global business of the fixed-line access product portfolio. Dr. Rodler holds a degree in electrical engineering from the Technical University of Munich and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Ruhr University in Bochum.