Convergence Conversation

Convergence Conversation, spin-off event at Intellect 05 March 2009

Date:      Thursday 05 March 2009
Venue:   Intellect, 10-12 Russell Square, London WC1B 5EE
Time:     18:00 - 20:00 
                Cheese & Wine

This meeting has been rescheduled from 03 February and is now being held at Intellect as a spin-off, slightly smaller event.

‘Where is the value in Universal Messaging?’  

As technologies continue to converge allowing for new and exciting possibilities in the realms of multimedia services, it is important to question where the value can be found. In its broadest sense ‘universal messaging’ consolidates digital communication devices into a one stop shop for consumers’ communication requirements, combining email, video, voice, short messaging and fax into one connected tool.

But where is the business case to market products and devices that enable this technology? Whilst a range of converging solutions already exist on the market, such as services converting telephone calls to email messages or indeed services converting emails to telephony, they have thus far only penetrated a limited and somewhat niche market.

To take the issue a step further, in the midst of the convergence between classic telephony services and Internet telephony, the challenge remains to make all communication user-centric rather than application- or protocol-centric. The ENUM system in particular looks to have answered this conundrum, acting as a single universal personal identifier for multiple communication services.  Effectively ENUM works as a suite of protocols to unify the telephone numbering system with the Internet addressing system.  This meeting will take place days before the official launch of ENUM.

Questions that need answers include:

• Where is the value in Universal Messaging?
• How useful is the ENUM system?
• Do alternative systems exist, and how practical are they?
• Just how synchronous is Universal Messaging?
• How will devices develop to handle universal messaging?
• Will the networks be able to handle universal messaging?

Who's talking?

The conversation will be chaired by:

Ved Sen, Founder & CEO, ThinkPLANK Ltd.
Ved is the Founder & CEO of ThinkPLANK, a consulting firm working on business change, technology and digital convergence. ThinkPLANK has worked with MTV UK, among others, for over 2 years - helping to deliver technology driven business change. 

Ved will begin with an expert's take on the issues before the debate is opened out.

Guest speakers are:

Mark Summerson, Unified Communications Manager, BT Global Services
Mark has 11 years experience in Convergence starting at Cellnet, implementing the first fixed-mobile convergence products in the shape of Mobex and later mobile applications for location tracking and field force automation.

Phil Kingsland, Director of Marketing & Communications, Nominet
Phil joined Nominet in March 2006 with 15 years experience in marketing and sales for high technology companies. He is responsible for developing and implementing their marketing and communications strategy, raising the profile of .uk and defining their position in the global Internet industry.

Stephen Hearnden, Telecoms and Technology Director, Intellect
Stephen Hearnden joined Intellect in March 2005 after a successful career as a telecommunications consultant. As well as being Director of Intellect's Telecommunications offering, he is also Director of the Digital Communications Knowledge Transfer Network.

Sharifah Amirah, Principle Analyst - Telecoms Europe, Frost & Sullivan
Sharifah leads Frost & Sullivan’s EIA Telecoms research team. The team’s focus is on identifying new service areas for industry players to maximize current investments. Other research interests include mobility and convergence services, data retention and environmental sustainability within telecoms.

Who should attend?

• Business Development Managers 
• Policy Managers  
• Product Developers
• Marketing Managers
• Finance Directors
• Content Providers
• Mobile Operators
• Internet Service Providers

Why should I attend?

Within a closed, personal and informal setting, you will gain access to key industry players within a range of industries. With increased critical knowledge you are guaranteed to improve your business performance by taking part in a hot debate amongst a dynamic group of people.

How much will it cost me?

This event is free of charge, but it is essential to register please.

How do I book? 

First sign on to this convergence conversation website (if not already done so) and you will then be able to register for this event

For more information contact Camilla Young on T: 020 7331 2028 or
E: camilla.young@intellectuk.org