IEC and BT Discuss Innovation 'Big Bang' and Plan 21st Century Communications World Forum 2008 in London

IEC and BT Wrap Up 21^st Century Communications World Forum Planning Meeting Last Week with 75 Leading Industry Experts; IEC's Conference and Exhibition Returns to London in Spring '08

CHICAGO - July 12, 2007 - The International Engineering Consortium (IEC) and Host Sponsor British Telecom (BT) led the industry last week in brainstorming educational content for the IEC's 21^st Century Communications World Forum. Themed an "Innovation Imperative," the 21^st Century Communications World Forum planning meeting took place with 75 leading telecommunications industry professionals.

"We focused on the transformation of the service providers and the innovations enabling the transformation. The 21^st Century Communications World Forum will explore innovations, technologies, Web 2.0, and how they are creating a new generation of service providers-soft service providers," commented IEC President John Janowiak. "We're excited to move from a 'next-generation networks (NGN) technology and architecture' conference and exhibition to one that is truly meaningful in providing a framework for how the NGN will change peoples' lives."   

World Forum Chair and BT Group Chief Technology Officer Matt Bross urged the gathered industry representatives to look beyond the building of NGNs and see the provision of content and services that these enable.

"The innovation 'big bang' has happened," said Mr. Bross. "The sphere of possibilities is truly exponential and our task is to reach in, find the things that are relevant and put them in front of our customers.

"We all need to innovate at the speed of life - there should never be a gap between what is possible and what we deliver in the markets we choose to serve."

Mr. Bross concluded: "The IEC has the ability to bring people together to listen to messages, and raise the level of the game."

The event returns to the name it was inaugurated with in 2005, the "21^st Century Communications World Forum," better reflecting the content of the event.

The 21^st Century Communications World Forum takes place this 21^st-24^th April 2008 at Earls Court Two in London with BT as the official host sponsor.

To sponsor or exhibit at the event, contact Cliff Ruffin at +1-312-559-3301 or Christine Paplaczyk at +1-312-559-4616.

All industry professionals are also invited to submit a session proposal for the event. For additional information, visit www.iec.org/events/2008/21/ or contact Lisa Reyes at +1-312-559-3325 or lreyes@iec.org.

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About the IEC
A nonprofit organization, the IEC is dedicated to catalyzing technology and business progress worldwide in a range of high-technology industries and their university communities. Since 1944, the IEC has provided high-quality educational opportunities for industry professionals, academics, and students.

In conjunction with industry-leading companies, the IEC has developed an extensive, free, on-line educational program. The IEC conducts industry-university programs that have a substantial impact on curricula. It also conducts research and develops publications, conferences, and technological exhibits that address major opportunities and challenges of the information age.

More than 70 leading universities are IEC affiliates, and the IEC handles the affairs of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association and Eta Kappa Nu, the honor society for electrical and computer engineers. Please visit www.iec.org.