PTC'09
Collaborating for Change:
Strategies, Opportunities and Partnerships

PTC'09 will focus on the vital role of collaboration in bringing new communications services to market. It will simultaneously highlight the impact that collaborative efforts have on the industry, while featuring the importance of collaboration as the means by which ever more complex systems and services are developed and distributed, including user-driven applications that are accelerating demand in the global marketplace.

Telecom today exists in a permanent state of revolution. The pace of innovation and market change are continually accelerating. Change has been good. Hundreds of millions more people around the world today receive services that would have been inconceivable only a few years ago. End-to-end IP-based networks have enabled innovation at a level unimaginable in the past. Advanced collaboration technologies such as telepresence are finally delivering on the promise of almost "being there," while driving demand for high-performance telecommunications beyond the capability of most current end-user services.

But change also brings new challenges. Services have become more complex and less provider-centric while markets that once were local or regional are now global. Large enterprises are seeking ever more sophisticated and integrated solutions while entrepreneurs bring rapid shifts in market focus. Increased complexity also means no single entity can go it alone. Gone are the days of market dominating, vertically integrated business models. 

New opportunities have opened up for those who understand the changes. Collaboration is not only critical to reach target markets, but an essential strategy to meet new demands in the expanded global marketplace.

For everything from essential communication services to the very latest in social networking applications or innovative media services delivery across a broad array of both wired and wireless networks, cooperation is as essential for meeting complex needs as competition is a driver to meet market demands.

No event embraces the spirit of collaboration more completely than PTC. For 31 years, telecommunications companies, equipment and software developers, content and media services providers, vendors, investors, academics and researchers, policy makers and civil society representatives have met each January in Hawaii to forge alliances, negotiate agreements, and to learn from one another's experiences.

We invite you to join us in collaborating for change at PTC'09!

Proposal Type

  1. Featured Speaker proposals must be for the senior-most leaders in the field including business, industry association, government and academics. Multiple submissions from one organization are discouraged. Featured speakers must be prepared to speak frankly and extemporaneously, and respond to questions in managed open discussion sessions that will include audience participation. Featured speakers do not necessarily provide papers or specific presentations, although sessions may be organized where such presentations are made.
     
  2. Managed Session proposals must include the session organizer, a full description of the topic to be covered and a list of the specific session invitees that are likely to accept, including brief bios. Advance work of the session organizer to secure agreement in principle from proposed participants is expected.
     
  3. Presentation proposals for topical sessions must include a full abstract. Vague proposals or proposals that do not go beyond an introduction to a topic are often rejected. Proposals should clearly reflect new knowledge and analytical views with the main points identified and conclusions provided in the proposal.
     
  4. Research Paper proposals pertain to interested parties who are not currently pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies (see option 5. for separate Student Paper category). Interested parties may also opt to have their full research papers subsequently considered for the Meheroo Jussawalla research prize award.

    (Note: Only proposals are required during the Call for Participation. Research prizes are adjudicated separately after proposal acceptance. If your proposal is accepted, the full paper must be received for review by 12 September 2008.)
     
  5. Student Paper option applies to all current or graduating students (2008 or later graduation date) interested in submitting original research papers on a topic relevant to the PTC'09 theme. Verification of student status is required. Supporting documentation can include a letter from a professor verifying your current undergraduate or graduate student status, or other appropriate documentation from a university official. You may email or fax these documents to Jamie Wan-Lopaz at email: jamie@ptc.org; fax: +1.808.944.4874. Interested students may opt to have their papers considered for the O.S. Braunstein prize award.

    (Note: All interested students are required to submit their FULL research papers (NOT proposals) by 6 July 2008). 
     
  6. Industry Briefing proposals to include a description of the organization's activity (to be presented as an informational or educational session) and speakers.
     
  7. Proposals for Workshops; Tutorials; Birds of a Feather (special interest topics); Sponsored Sessions; and Partner Organization Seminars & Summits should include specific descriptions of the organization and session leader(s), session content and presenters.