Television and video, along with network convergence, have become the priorities for telecom operators around the world. Wireline operators are upgrading their network at a feverish pace to support IPTV, while wireless operators faced with market saturation for their voice products are tiptoeing with mobile TV offerings. It has become evident that the needed FMC for voice extends naturally to video. Network operators are seeking to offer TV and video services to their subscribers whether they are at home (TV), in the office (PC), or on the move (mobile device). This is what is known as ubiquitous TV. This panel investigates key aspects of the business, marketing, and technical requirements for ubiquitous TV.

Patrick Pfeffer Chief Network Architect Detecon

Dr. Pfeffer has 20 years of telecom experience as a researcher, implementer, and analyst. He joined Detecon in 2003 and has led projects on data mining, location-based services, broadband wired and wireless access, and fixed-to-mobile substitution. He leads the Detecon worldwide IPTV practice. Prior to Detecon, Dr. Pfeffer held various senior management positions with Gluon Networks, Alcatel, and U S WEST. In 1991, he was a visiting professor at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Dr. Pfeffer started his career at INRIA, a research organization funded by the French government. He has a Ph.D. in computer science from Paris University.

Bob Larribeau Principal Analyst and Co-Founder TelecomView

Mr. Larribeau has been an analyst and consultant in the telecom and content delivery markets since 1992. He has focused on broadband technologies such as broadband wireless, 3G, DSL, and FTTH, as well as switching and routing. He is recognized as an expert in the IPTV markets. Mr. Larribeau was previously a group director at RHK (acquired by Ovum) and managed three programs: access systems, OSS, and switching and routing programs.

Jean Macher Marketing Director, Video Network Systems Grass Valley

Mr. Macher joined Grass Valley in 2006 to lead the marketing effort for VNS products in North America. Prior to this, he was director of marketing for Thales' broadcast and multimedia IPTV and mobile TV solutions. Before relocating to the United States in 2000, Mr. Macher was in charge of Thales' remultiplexing and SI processing product line. He also worked as a Thales project manager for the rollout of digital terrestrial TV in the United Kingdom in 1998. Mr. Macher has more than 10 years of experience in MPEG-related products and digital TV implementation.

Rahul Sonnad Co-Founder, Vice President, Business Development thePlatform

Mr. Sonnad has solid experience in digital media services. He managed some of the first back-end solutions for digital media delivery and commerce integration while working in Microsoft's digital media division's research and development, and later joined WindowsMedia.com to develop digital media strategies. Mr. Sonnad's background includes managing Asian versions of MS Office, innovating Microsoft Word tools, and engineering at Adobe Systems.

Danny Wilson President and Chief Executive Officer Pixelmetrix

Mr. Wilson is the founder of Pixelmetrix Corporation, a Singapore-based company that specializes in the design and production of management and telemetry systems for digital broadcasters. He began his management career at Hewlett-Packard in Canada as the business manager of HP's communication measurement division.