IEC Announces Broadband World Forum Europe 2009 in Paris with Official Host Sponsor France Telecom?Orange

In the wake of the Broadband World Forum Europe 2008´s immense success, the IEC today announced that the next World Forum will take place in Paris 7–9 September 2009 at the CNIT La Défense in Paris, France, hosted by France Telecom–Orange. France Telecom–Orange Executive Vice President of Group Networks and Information Systems Jean–Philippe Vanot will serve as the Broadband World Forum Europe 2009 Chair and will lead nearly 400 industry leaders to share their insight and perspectives at the event.

"On behalf of France Telecom–Orange and the IEC´s group of global carrier members, we´re pleased to welcome the entire global broadband industry to Paris for the Broadband World Forum Europe 2009!" commented IEC President John Janowiak. "Together with top solutions providers and equipment manufacturers, industry associations and media, we will continue to "˜Deliver the Promise´ of broadband as one industry."

Previous Broadband World Forum Europe service provider host sponsors include BT, Belgacom, China Netcom, Deutsche Telekom AG, France Telecom–Orange, KT, NTT, PCCW, Telecom Italia, Telefónica S.A. and TELUS.

2009 World Forum Chair Jean–Philippe Vanot explains, "It will be very exciting and you have to save the date in Paris because we will address challenges facing both fixed and mobile broadband. Recognizing the real disruption in the mobile area and the ever increasing need for greater bandwidth, now is the time to realize fixed–mobile broadband. It will be a great event!"

A hallmark of the World Forum is 50 visionary keynotes, insightful plenary panels, workshops and sessions complementing a cutting–edge exhibition. The IEC´s SOFNET ´09 event will be co–located with the Broadband World Forum Europe 2009 in Paris next year.

In 2006, the IEC and the CNIT La Défense received the "Best in Congress" KReA Award recognizing the best professional conference and exhibition that took place in France. The honor was presented by the association of event communication agencies (ANAe).

To learn more, visit www.bbwfeurope.com or contact Lisa Reyes at lreyes@iec.org or 1–312–559–3325.