IPTV WORKSHOP

Telephony's IPTV Workshop

Sept. 11, 2006
Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
(co-located with Fall VON)

Technology: IPTV

The lowdown: Telephony is teaming up with VON for the first time to produce a one-day, one-track pre-conference on IPTV. A varied collection of sessions and keynotes will delve into multiple aspects of IPTV and how it factors into the future of service providers, from the network technology that supports it to the content strategies for delivering it and beyond.

Format: All sessions will be interactive, with Telephony's editors guiding the discussion as moderators along with a collection of industry analysts and other experts. The casual, interactive style of the program will give attendees a chance to communicate directly with speakers and panelists to get their IPTV questions answered.

Forecast: Telephony's IPTV Workshop will offer a one-day immersion in everything IPTV, with insight from many of the sectors pioneers in service and technology development.

Speakers and sessions: The opening keynote will be delivered by Nicola Palmer, vice president of video network services for Verizon, who will join a panel of other service providers immediately following her address. Later in the morning, BellSouth's vice president of technology planning and deployment, Peter Hill, will wax technological, then join a panel of other IPTV technology experts. During lunch, futurist Neale Martin will provide his unique perspective on consumer habit and how it stands to impact IPTV. Panelists from Microsoft, Tektronix, Tellabs, Ringgold Telephone, Ericsson, Cavalier Telephone and more also will be on hand to add their insight on IPTV. Get the full agenda at www.telephonyonline.com/iptvworkshop.

Cost: $895, which buys full access to other VON conference sessions on Monday, entry to the VON welcome reception Monday evening, access to the exhibit floor Tuesday through Thursday and more. Register at www.telephony-online.com/registerIPTV and be sure to use code TEL1.

Getting around: Boston's “T” is arguably the most affordable and convenient way to traverse the city, and there's a comprehensive guide to navigating it online at www.mtba.com. Cabs are plentiful in the downtown area and near the convention center.

Life of leisure: When you're done pondering the future of IPTV, Boston is the perfect place to visit history. Tap into your inner Paul Revere at the Old North Church, return to Camelot at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, shop the old-timey way at Quincy Market, or see if anyone knows your name at the Bull and Finch Pub, the inspiration for the TV show “Cheers.” (OK, that last one doesn't really qualify as history, but still…)