ATIS Debuts TechThink Conference at TelecomNEXT; Sessions on IPTV, IMS, WiMAX and Beyond Reflect Top Trends on Exhibit Floor

Business Wire, Feb 2, 2006

WASHINGTON -- Today, TelecomNEXT and ATIS announced plans for the ATIS TechThink Conference, a comprehensive technology program to be held at TelecomNEXT in Las Vegas, March 19 - 23, 2006. TelecomNEXT, the only place where the business and technology of communications and entertainment meet, replaces SUPERCOMM(R) as USTelecom's annual venue.

Produced by ATIS, the industry's leading technical planning organization, the TechThink conference will examine the technology and business issues facing today's converging worlds of communications, data and entertainment. Senior technology officers from today's leading communications companies will explore the potential of next-generation networks and other critical technology issues during the TechThink keynotes, panel discussions and tutorials.

"The ATIS TechThink conference will provide critical technology insights that can help drive strategic procurement decisions on the TelecomNEXT exhibit floor," said USTelecom President and CEO Walter B. McCormick Jr. "As the premier conference partner, ATIS' innovative programming is a 'can't miss' opportunity in the TelecomNEXT line-up."

One of the most anticipated TechThink sessions will feature the chief technology officers from four leading telecom service providers - AT&T, BellSouth, Qwest and Verizon. On Monday morning, March 20, the TechThink Opening Summit will host Chris Rice, Executive VP, Network Planning & Engineering and CTO, AT&T; Bill Smith, Chief Technology Officer, BellSouth; Balan Nair, Chief Technology Officer, Qwest; and Mark Wegleitner, Senior Vice President and CTO, Verizon. Susan Miller, President & CEO of ATIS, will moderate the panel discussion.

"TelecomNEXT brings together the key players from across the industry spectrum and reflects the integrated nature of the industry's future," Miller said. "The rapid pace of innovation is readily apparent in the technologies on the TelecomNEXT exhibit floor. ATIS' TechThink Conference will provide mission-critical insights that can help guide companies' business and technology decisions as they build the networks of the future and drive 'what's next' for communications and entertainment."

The ATIS TechThink Conference consists of 17 sessions, as well as access to TelecomNEXT keynote sessions and the exhibit hall floor March 20-22. The sessions will provide an in-depth understanding of the opportunities surrounding the latest technologies and solutions, including IPTV, VoIP, IMS, converging wired and wireless networks, and wireless broadband. The discussions will also explore the technology challenges facing next-generation networks and how the industry can capitalize on the diverse opportunities these networks can make possible. To learn more, visit www.techthink.org.

TelecomNEXT will bring together the dynamic, talented and innovative players of the digital age to focus on emerging technology and business opportunities amid the continuing evolution of the communications and entertainment marketplaces.

In addition to cutting-edge exhibits and conference programming, TelecomNEXT keynote speakers include: Duane Ackerman, Chairman & CEO, BellSouth; Robbie Bach, President - Entertainment & Devices Division, Microsoft; Harald Braun, President, Carrier Networks Division, Siemens; Glenn Britt, Chairman & CEO, Time Warner Cable; John Chambers, President & CEO, Cisco; Douglas Davis, Vice President, Digital Enterprise Group, Intel; Scott Ford, President & CEO, Alltel; Kenny Frank, Chief Technology Officer, Alcatel; Jonathan Glickman, President, Spyglass Entertainment Group; Dan Hesse, CEO, Local Telecommunications Division, Sprint Nextel; Bob Iger, President & CEO, The Walt Disney Company; Scott Kriens, Chairman & CEO, Juniper Networks; FCC Chairman Kevin Martin; John Meyer, President, Lucent Worldwide Services, Lucent Technologies; Mike Quigley, President and COO, Alcatel; Michael Sabia, President & CEO, Bell Canada; Ivan Seidenberg, Chairman & CEO, Verizon; Stan Sigman, President & CEO, Cingular; Norio Wada, President & CEO, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone; and Ed Whitacre, Chairman & CEO, AT&T.

TelecomNEXT will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 19-23, 2006. For more information on TelecomNEXT, go to www.telecom-next.com.

TelecomNEXT is the only place where the business and technology of communications and entertainment meet. Recognizing the dramatic changes in today's integrated communications market, the TelecomNEXT exhibit floor and conference program fully reflects the industry's continuing evolution and will bring together the most dynamic, talented and innovative players of the digital age. www.telecom-next.com

ATIS is a technical planning and standards development organization that is committed to rapidly developing and promoting technical and operations standards for the communications and related information technologies industry worldwide using a pragmatic, flexible and open approach. Participants from more than 350 communications companies are active in ATIS' 23 industry committees and Incubator Solutions Program. www.atis.org