IEC's Broadband World Forum Europe 2007 In Berlin

The International Engineering Consortium (IEC)'s Broadband World Forum Europe 2007 will present "New Media: New Millennium - The Emergence of Convergent Media" as part of its world-class programming and exhibition this 8-11 October at the Estrel Convention Center with Official Host Sponsor Deutsche Telekom AG.
"Exciting concepts such as choose-your-own ending TV, conceived and developed by BT, will be just one of the many intriguing topics discussed at the BBWF Europe," said IEC President John Janowiak. "Delegates will learn how viewers can interact directly with the content they are watching on TV and influence what they see and hear according to their personal tastes and wishes...it's truly an exciting innovation."
This session will focus on BT's work on the nm2 project. Uniting leading creative and technology experts from across Europe to address a great opportunity for businesses and consumers, this Broadband World Forum Europe 2007 session will discuss how to develop compelling new media forms that take advantage of the unique characteristics of broadband networks. Panelists will talk about how nm2 can create a variety of new media genres using broadband, and how the project creates new production tools for the media industry that will allow true personalization of media content.
Plenary Panel Chairperson Richard Griffiths, director of technology strategy and development at BT Vision commented: "The convergence between the Internet and TV has been talked about for many years, but it was only after ordinary consumers got high-speed broadband pipes directly into their homes that really innovative convergent applications became technically and commercially viable. BT's plenary panel at the BBWF Europe 2007 will showcase how the industry leaders in broadband convergence are enabling truly innovative formats - ones that really engage with the TV viewers and utilize the broadband pipe to the fullest. The session will provide real insight for anyone who has a commercial or technical interest in the future of broadband convergence."
Speaker and chief executive officer of Italtel, Giorgio Bertolina, further added: "IP-based technology deeply changed the way we communicate. The digitalization of contents and the convergence of different networks (voice and data, fixed, and mobile) onto single, all IP networks generated new social behaviors and introduced new ways to work, live, and communicate that are based on fast and easy access and sharing of information from multiple devices. In this continuously changing scenario, service providers have the opportunity to face the growing competition of content producers and device vendors, but they can also play a key role in providing new creative Web-based services that are able to combine new and traditional media."
Expert Doug Williams, nm2 project director for BT Chief Technology Office said: "Broadband is transformational because it has changed and will continue to change the way we consume media. Looking forward, we believe that media can adapt to the preferences of its audience. Narratives that can 'ShapeShift' to better meet the interests of the viewer are the logical result of the raw capability of broadband technology. It's fascinating to recognize the genesis of new media genres, and it's really exciting for BT to be a part of it. At Monday's plenary panel session on "The emergence of convergent media," we'll have the chance to discuss the opportunities and challenges the new genres will present for both media creatives and network operators."
The International Engineering Consortium invites all industry professionals to register at:
www.iec.org/events/2007/bbwf/register/
(DS)