Although high-speed broadband has largely been accepted as a key infrastructure for modern economies, questions remain as to why the private sector has failed to invest in fiber infrastructure in many markets, the importance of open non-discriminatory access, and the nature and extent of consultation and intervention by governments to overcome barriers.

This session will provide observations and insight into some of the challenges and approaches taken in several Asia-Pacific markets to stimulate rollout of high-speed broadband. The role of the national business case will be considered, examples of interventions and incentives will be provided, and business transformation choices for service providers will be outlined.

Nick Lochrin Managing Consultant, Services Business Group Alcatel-Lucent

Mr. Lochrin has 20 years of commercial and technical experience with leading companies in the ICT industry, including service providers, telecom equipment manufacturers, independent software vendors, and system integrators. Within his current role as managing consultant within Alcatel-Lucent's services business group, he has provided advisory services to clients in the Asia-Pacific region and supported national broadband and operator transformation initiatives.

Paul Blacker Head of Strategy, BT Business BT Retail

Mr. Blacker is responsible for sharing, on a commercial basis, BT's NGN experience with other companies outside the United Kingdom. He was previously on BT's Group Portfolio Strategy team, and BT's Group Strategy with specific responsibility for BT's group-wide broadband strategy. Mr. Blacker has been involved in the Internet and multimedia space for many years and was previously head of strategy for BT Openworld. He has held a wide range of roles at BT in the UK as well as in Spain, Portugal, and Ireland. He has also worked in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

Frank Kuhn Head of Solution Development, Broadband Access Nokia Siemens Network

Mr. Kuhn is responsible for the Solution Development Team of the Broadband Access business unit. He designed with his team the unified IP–DSLAM and GPON platform of Siemens Communications. Mr. Kuhn joined Siemens in 1985 as an R&D engineer for voice and data communication. In the early 1990s he formed the successful SDH portfolio of Siemens as head of the responsible Systems Engineering department in Munich. He holds a master's degree in applied engineering.

Benjamin Reboul Vice President, FTTH Alcatel-Lucent

Mr. Reboul is in charge of product strategy and business development. Before being based in the Asia-Pacific region, he spent six years in Belgium, carrying technical and commercial regional responsibilities through numerous emerging technologies such as broadband access, voice, and applications. Prior to Alcatel-Lucent, Mr. Reboul spent two years in several countries in Europe, and in particular he worked in start-up companies Livingston and Ascend — both acquired by Lucent Technologies — in Operations as services manager. Mr. Reboul holds a French engineer degree of the School of Engineering Electronics, Computer Engineering, and Telecommunication of Paris in France and a Master of Science from the University of South of France.