PTC’s 30th Anniversary Conference to cast spotlight on the rapid development of video in telecommunications and information technology networks.

HONOLULU –  The Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC) announces a Call for Participation for its milestone 30th anniversary conference PTC’08: Telecom with Vision, 13-16 January 2008 in Honolulu. The conference will focus on the dramatic impact of interactive video and user-created content on telecommunications networks, markets and regulatory policy throughout the Pacific region and around the world.   “Video is redefining telecommunications,” said David Lassner, PTC President and CIO - University of Hawaii, emphasizing the selection of the conference theme.

Proposals are now being accepted for keynote speakers, session presentations, workshops, demonstrations and more.  Proposals are due 25 June 2007 and may be submitted on-line at www.ptc.org

Ken Zita, PTC Vice President for Conferences, stated, “Video puts stress on every element of the telecom environment struggling to accommodate the new composition of network traffic.”   According to Zita, skyrocketing demand for bandwidth is fueled by widespread adoption of residential broadband and 3G mobile networks, ubiquitous multimedia phones, and the convergence of digital media distribution with traditional telecom.  Digital video and IP have blurred industry boundaries, redefining who produces content, how it is distributed, and where and when people choose to watch.  IPTV is becoming a credible alternative to cable, and video over mobile is about to enter the mainstream. “Video 2.0” is propelling us into a new era of social networking and service creativity.

Policy issues such as net neutrality in the US are becoming urgent as once-protected markets contend with a digital media distribution free-for-all.  In Japan, “the regulatory approach for next generation networks [NGN] is important,” according to Yoshikazu Kobayashi, IBM Japan, member of the PTC Board of Governors and conference steering committee.

All the while, education, health, travel, government and many other enterprises are rapidly moving toward more video usage as networks develop capacity and as applications bring more effectiveness and flexibility in affordable ways.

Join PTC’s diverse range of industry leaders and seasoned experts to explore the impact of video on all aspects of telecommunications.  Telecom with Vision!

Established in 1978, the Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC) www.ptc.org is an international, non-profit, membership organization based in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, with a mission to promote the development, understanding, and beneficial use of telecommunications and information technology throughout the Pacific region.

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