Information session on IP Telephony
6 March 2001
   

PROGRAMME
Chairman: Dr. Henoch D. Aguiar (Argentina)

   
9:00 to 9:15

Welcome and Introduction
Roberto Blois, Deputy Secretary-General of the ITU
Henoch Aguiar, Secretary for Communications, Argentina
   
9:15 to 10:45
Session One

Visions of IP Telephony: Technical Aspects
Moderator: Gary Fishman , Tech. Standards Director, Lucent Technologies
Panelists: H. Schink (Vice-President, Networking Technology and Strategy, Siemens AG), B. Pettitt (Advisor, Performance and QoS Standards, Nortel Networks), J. Bjorkner (Vice-President, Concept Development, Hotsip), A. Zahir-Emami (Marketing Strategy Manager, Alcatel)

Internet Protocol (IP)-based networks are increasingly being used in addition to traditional circuit-switched networks for carrying voice traffic. In fact while this is a sign of choice between competing technologies, it also suggests future trends towards convergence. In order to understand the implications of IP Telephony, it is essential to grasp its main technical characteristics. This session will examine IP-based networks and the use of the Internet Protocol in other networks, operations and performance aspects, application development and transition strategies.  
   


Coffee Break
 
   
11:00 to 12:30
First Roundtable

Making it Happen: Country Experiences
Moderator: Ben Petrazzini, ITU Panelists: D. Cabello (Director General, CONATEL, Venezuela),  C. Lekaukau (Executive Chairman, BTA, Botswana), E. Lie (Assistant Manager, IDA, Singapore), P. Distler (Director, Interconnection and New Technologies, ART, France)

The regulatory treatment of IP Telephony varies significantly from country to country. Some regulators have banned its use, either explicitly or implicitly, some permit or even encourage it, but the majority of regulators have yet to formally address the issue. This session will set the stage for the Policy Issues Roundtable, and serve as a forum for countries to share their experiences and discuss various regulatory approaches
   

Lunch
 
 

14:00 to 15:30
Session Two

Economic Issues and Market Dynamics
Panelists: G. Medina (Vice-President, International Division, Net2phone), I. Elliott (Senior Vice-President, Global Softswitch Marketing, Level 3 Communications), J. Neidhart de Ortiz (Research Analyst, International VoIP Project, Telegeography), W. So (Managing Director, HK and International Operations, China NetCom) 


This session will address the main economic issues raised by IP Telephony. The growth of IP-based networks around the globe has profound and broad implications for societies, including consumers, industry, and national administrations. In part, this is because telecommunications infrastructure is increasingly viewed as a fundamental element of national competitiveness. For enterprises and consumers, IP Telephony offers low cost long distance and international telephone calling as well as advanced, integrated services. For PTO's IP Telephony presents opportunities and challenges. While IP Telephony can help national administrations advance national policy objectives designed to improve the performance, cost and range of services offered by telecommunications networks, incumbent PTOs have existing revenue streams and technologies that may be impacted if customers shift to other services or other companies. This session will provide an assessment of the state of IP Telephony, the market opportunities that it is creating and its impact on the business models. 
   

Coffee Break
 
  

15:45 to 17:15
Second Roundtable

Policy issues for IP Telephony
Panelists: N. Argyris (Director for Communications Services, Policy and Regulation. European Commission), S. Ness (Commissioner, FCC, United States), R. Guerreiro (President, ANATEL, Brazil), S. Szilagyi (Director, Communication Regulation, HIF, Hungary) 


The Forum aims to assist Member States in adapting to the changes in the telecommunication environment brought about by the emergence of IP Telephony. The Regulators Roundtable will consider the main policy issues raised by IP Telephony, including economic and regulatory aspects. In so doing, the panelists will examine the role for government in meeting consumer interests and facilitating infrastructure investment during service and network transition. The issues to be discussed will include the status of IP Telephony under existing or newly created frameworks, the challenges it poses for Universal Service schemes, the economic impact on public telecommunication operators (particularly in developing countries), cross-border concerns, convergence, and human resource development. The roundtable will consist of regulators from countries at different stages of market liberalization.
  

17:30 Cocktail Reception (Sponsored by: ipsaris - pulver.com - Sunrise World Communications)