SOFNET 2008 will provide a framework to harness the energy of "innovation" in changing peoples' lives. It will capture the themes of the "soft service provider," software developments, Web2.0/3.0, and next-generation networks that all focus on innovation as it relates to the customer experience. SOFNET will host IT professionals, network service providers, software developers, integrators, analysts, and telecommunications hardware vendors for both wireline and wireless technologies. SOFNET will examine how the world views communications and how next-generation networks, software developments, and Web 2.0/3.0 are redefining communications. SOFNET will examine the innovation required to monetize share owner value, the customer experience and supply chain of innovation, i.e., organizational, processes, etc., impacts.

SOFNET is designed to help innovators, service providers, and their vendors explore the possibilities and challenges of next-generation networks both fixed and mobile and their convergence and how they can use innovation to be competitive in the marketplace, redefine themselves, and increase speed to market of new services through new and improved software and support systems.

BT is pleased to serve as the official host sponsor for SOFNET 2008.

Those who wish to participate and speak in a session at SOFNET 2008 may visit http://www.iec.org/events/spt/speakerLogin.asp?CONF_ID=84. After you log in using the speaker's correct e-mail address, you then select the session you wish to submit to speak in from the drop-down menu of session titles. Session abstracts including chair information are available on the event Web site at http://www.iec.org/events/2008/sofnet/conference/schedule.html.

Speaking proposals may also be submitted directly from a session on our Web site. All speaker proposals must be submitted using the speaker's e-mail address in the proposal registration process. An e-mail is sent directly to the speaker confirming receipt of his proposal. Please do not submit using an e-mail address other than that of the speaker. Contacts for a speaker may add their information later in the process but not when registering a speaker.

As with all IEC conferences, the session chairs select who will speak on their panel. If your proposal is selected by a chair, an automatic e-mail is sent from the submission system, followed by direct contact from the chairperson further confirming your participation. If selected as a speaker on a panel, you will be automatically registered for the conference and receive complimentary admittance to the entire program. There is no sponsorship requirement for speaking at any IEC program.

Thank you for your interest in participating at SOFNET 2008. If you have any questions or problems submitting a proposal, please contact Andréa Scrementi, SOFNET forum coordinator, at ascrementi@iec.org or +1-312-559-4138 or Pitsa Madoch, SOFNET director of Content Development, at pmadoch@iec.org or +1-312-559-4601.