Key market and technology trends are driving the evolution of the managed home in Europe. Broadband adoption has reached mass market and is growing, video downloads are commonplace, home networking is growing strongly, and digital content is the medium of choice in most households. Consumer devices with integration of DLNA standards have started to appear, which have the potential to free content consumption from the PC in the home, and broadband could enable anywhere, anytime consumption beyond.

There has never been such an opportunity to deliver new content and services into the home ecosystem — the key to success is to make them content rich, personal, and, most important, simple to find and use. Who are best positioned to deliver these new experiences into the home? What next-generation infrastructure and software will be needed? Will joint propositions be the name of the game? Can over the top providers deliver on quality of experience?

Tim Marsden Chief Technologist, Communications, Media & Entertainment Hewlett-Packard

Mr. Marsden serves as HP CTO lead for EMEA region CME customer engagements, is lead CTO interface into Worldwide CME Industry Solutions and HP Labs organizations, directs and leads the new CME Innovation Program Office (IPO), supports and builds relationships with CTOs in the EMEA region. He is a leader in Product Management & Development with over 17 years in IT, Telecoms and Finance. Mr. Marsden has proven success in delivering innovative, profitable product strategy, development and portfolio management and driving sustainable business growth through a targeted product marketing approach.

Elena Branet Senior Marketing Manager, EMEA, TV Business Microsoft Corporation

Ms. Branet is responsible for developing and implementing all marketing programs for the Microsoft TV Group across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region. She drives the overall strategy and vision for Microsoft TV's marketing and PR initiatives in the EMEA region, including the management of all marketing communication functions for the group. Ms. Branet also works closely with customers and partners to develop and execute joint marketing programs. She comes to Microsoft with more than 12 years of marketing experience.

Richard French Head of New Businesses Nokia

Mr. French is responsible for driving new business opportunities outside the current S&S scope, utilizing Nokia's existing assets in new service solutions. Currently, he leads Nokia's Connected Digital Home and peer-to-peer remote connectivity initiatives. Prior to Nokia, Mr. French built several successful Internet companies and brands in remote access, on-line media, communities, entertainment, and advertising.

Francis Henry Senior Solution Manager, Fixed Access Division Alcatel-Lucent

Mr. Henry has more than 15 years of experience in the communication industry, including network planning, design engineering, product management, and business development. Currently, he drives the strategy and marketing activities for the Alcatel-Lucent digital home care solution and related operational implications for service providers worldwide. As a network management specialist, Mr. Henry is also involved in various strategic and business development projects in management and OSS solutions for DSL and fiber access.

Willie Marais Specialist, Technical Product Development Telkom South Africa

Mr. Marais has been involved with the specification and development of systems that on the one side holds inventory of the network and on the other side activates the network with design executed in the inventory system. These architectural designs, all internal, had to be in line with long strategic goals of the company, ensuring modularity and the ability to upgrade/replace systems. This has been coupled with the development and consultation of design services for broadband product in the company's product line, with Mr. Marais making sure all design aspects are aligned with OSS design principles.

Allen Proithis Director, Business Development, Personal Systems Group Hewlett-Packard

Mr. Proithis is responsible for strategic service provider channels in North America and Europe. Previously, he had global responsibility for strategic mobile operator relationships as part of HPÕs Handheld business unit and also ran large consulting engagements with major U.S. media and entertainment companies.

Graham Seabrook Director, Digital Home Labs BT Group

Mr. Seabrook is responsible for the definition of the programs, ensuring they meet business requirements, and the successful exploitation of subsequent research, through either downstreaming to the business, licensing to third parties, or spin-out of new companies. His interests span all aspects of the connected home, from video on demand and VoIP to managed home infrastructures and energy management.