Telecom Technology Executives to Share Global Vision of Next Generation Networks at TELECOM ’05

Chief Tech Officers of Major Carriers to Share Stage

 September 07, 2005, Washington – Today, the United States Telecom Association (USTelecom) and the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) announced that the lead technology officers from Verizon, SBC, BellSouth and Qwest will appear on center stage together to discuss future plans, including how to deploy IPTV, for the communications industry at TELECOM ’05 this October in Las Vegas.

The session “What’s NEXT:  The Global Vision and Promise of the Converged Next-Gen Network” is open to all TELECOM ’05 registrants and will feature Mark Wegleitner, senior vice president, technology and chief technology officer, Verizon; Chris Rice, executive vice president, Network Planning and Engineering, SBC; Bill Smith, chief technology officer, BellSouth; and Balan Nair, chief technology officer, Qwest.  ATIS President and CEO Susan Miller will moderate. Immediately following the session, the TELECOM ’05 Exhibit Hall officially opens with the Exhibit Hall Preview Party, giving attendees an excellent opportunity to explore the technologies just discussed. 

“The CTO panel features some of the telecom industry’s most influential players. These executives are guiding the future for communications and anyone looking to sell to the telecom industry can’t afford to miss this session,” said USTelecom President and CEO Walter B. McCormick Jr. “The ATIS Technology Forum is an important programming component for the TELECOM shows and this year’s look at what it takes for a large-scale deployment of next-generation services is a great addition to TELECOM ’05.”

“Global communications companies are rapidly reaching consensus on the myriad of technical and business issues surrounding wireless and wireline convergence and ‘next-gen’ architecture,” said Miller. “The technology executives of the carriers are making business decisions that will affect industry direction for years to come.”

Building on TELECOM ’04’s ranking as one of Tradeshow Week’s "Fastest Fifty" growing tradeshows in North America, TELECOM ’05 will draw key buyers, decision-makers and communications leaders from around the world to view new technologies and learn more about all aspects of the communications industry as lines between cable, wireline, wireless and satellite platforms continue to converge.

Other speakers for TELECOM ’05 include CEOs from some of the leading telecom companies, cable operators, content and service providers in the world. The luminaries include: Ed Whitacre, Chairman & CEO, SBC Communications; Robert B. Clasen, President & CEO, Starz Entertainment; Jim Robbins, President & CEO, Cox Communications; and David Barrett, President & CEO, Hearst-Argyle Communications.

The TELECOM '05 Conference & Exhibition will be held October 23-27, 2005, at the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit www.telecom05.com.

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About USTelecom The United States Telecom Association, USTelecom, is the premier trade association representing service providers and suppliers for the telecom industry. USTelecom represents more than 1,200 companies offering a wide range of services across the communications platforms, including voice, video and data over local exchange, long distance, wireless, Internet and cable services. www.ustelecom.org

About ATIS ATIS is a technical planning and standards development organization that is committed to rapidly developing and promoting technical and operations standards for the communications and related information technologies industry worldwide using a pragmatic, flexible and open approach. Participants from more than 350 communications companies are active in ATIS’ 22 industry committees and Incubator Solutions Program. www.atis.org