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Detailed Conference Agenda

Day One:
Wednesday September 10th, 2008

7:45 AM Registration & Sponsor Exhibits Open

Continental Breakfast

8:15 AM Opening Address from the Chair

Sascha D. Meinrath, Research Director, New America Foundation’s Wireless Future Program

8:30 AM Panel Discussion

The Business Case: New Developments in Creating a Profitable and Viable Municipal Wireless Network

New ideas and new ways of approaching municipal wireless deployments are necessary to build a lucrative and effective network. Learn first hand how to set out on the deployment process on the right foot and maintain a successful network.

• Design, validation and verification of the business case
• Successful case studies of municipal wireless networks
• The characteristics of an effective deployment

Come away with a fresh understanding of the municipal wireless business case.

Lynn Willenbring, CIO, City of Minneapolis
Karl Edwards, COO, Excelsio Communications

9:15 AM Panel Discussion

Analysis of Problem Networks: Lessons Learned and New Solutions to Move Forward

The previous year was filled with changes and major challenges for the municipal wireless industry. So what went wrong and why? This session will pinpoint the challenges and outline the solutions that will allow the industry to improve and help cities move forward.

• Technical and political interference
• Infrastructure deficiencies
• Free networks: impractical or achievable?

Inform yourself on the pitfalls and challenges of the past that will shape the future of the industry.

Peter Collins, President, Illinois Municipal Broadband Communications Association
Eric DaVersa, VP Business Development, NetLogix

10:00 AM Networking Break

Network with speakers and delegates and explore new ideas.

10:30 AM Municipal Wireless Industry Ecosystem

A Competitive Landscape of System Integrators, Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs), Equipment Vendors and Software Providers

Learn who the key players are, what they do and who’s leading in the municipal wireless industry ecosystem.

• Who are the players necessary to deploy a successful network?
• New participants entering the market
• Evaluating key competitive factors and industry rivalry of WISPs, system integrators, equipment vendors, software providers, and others

Familiarize yourself with the detailed network of players competing and working together to better serve the industry.

Ben Madgett, Analyst, Datamonitor

11:15 AM Keynote Address

Case Study: Singapore’s Wireless@SG Program

Over the next two years, Singapore will deploy a wireless broadband network that will cover most public areas in the country. Hear how the public group Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is working with three local service providers to give residents and businesses seamless wireless broadband access.

• Public/private partnerships
• Indoor and outdoor access at speeds up to 512kbps
• How the network is funded

Come away from this session with forward-thinking strategies to better business models and network performance.

Khoong Hock Yun, Infrastructure Development Group Assistant Chief Executive, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore

12:00 pm Networking Luncheon

This is your opportunity to make new contacts and discuss ideas presented in the morning session.

1:30 PM Municipal Client Feedback Panel

Value-Added Information, Lessons Learned and Guidance From Leading Veteran Municipalities

Hear this one of a kind panel where municipal leaders share what’s working and the biggest challenges they’ve faced
through the RFP and deployment processes and into maintenance periods.

• Achievements and challenges
• Delegating responsibilities
• Deployment and maintenance expectations

Hear from the people that have been there on what you can expect throughout the entire deployment process.

Chuck Billias, City Manager, City of Cocoa Beach
Rama Dhuwaraha, CIO, City of Lexington
Hamid Khaleghipour, IT Director, Town of Addison

2:15 PM System Integrator and Value-Added Reseller Feedback Panel

The Future of Interoperability and Standards:
New Opportunities and How to Prepare For Them

Compatibility with products and devices is key as municipal broadband networks continue to expand. But what does the future hold and how can you prepare for the interoperability needs of Wi-Fi enabled products as technology advances?

• Testing and certifying products
• 802.11n: The new standard?
• Adoption of Wi-Fi enabled products and future demand

Keep up with rapidly emerging technology and get ready for new prospects and standards!

Edgar Figueroa, Executive Director, Wi-Fi Alliance

About the Wi-Fi Alliance

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global, non-profit industry association of more than 300 member companies devoted to promoting the growth of wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). With the aim of enhancing the user experience for wireless portable, mobile, and home entertainment devices, the Wi-Fi Alliance’s testing and certification programs help ensure the interoperability of WLAN products based on the IEEE 802.11 specification. Since the introduction of the Wi-Fi Alliance’s certification program in March 2000, more than 4,000 products have been designated as Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™, encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services across the consumer and enterprise markets.

3:00 pm Networking Break

Continue the debate with fellow attendees and conference speakers.

3:30 PM Overcoming Challenges

Understanding Landmines in a Politicized Environment

Politics have proven to be a particularly large roadblock for municipal wireless adoption. How can you deal with this wild card? Hear this one of a kind presentation on how to overcome obstacles and prepare for challenges that may come your way.

• Strategies for handling negative feedback and delays
• How businesses can respond to the advocacy groups and digital divide model
• Managing expectations on what can be delivered
• How to recognize a potential political problem before it hits

Learn the strategies on how to respond to naysayers when the going gets tough.

David Behen, CIO, County of Washtenaw

4:15 PM Case Study

Building a Coalition of Municipal Stakeholders for Effective Communication in a Successful Municipal Wireless Initiative

Successfully deploying a network begins with getting all the stakeholders on board. These include elected officials, fire and police department officials, community groups, local businesses, advertisers, WISPs, advocacy groups, and end-users. Learn from this case study how this group of key players was effectively brought together.

• Why education is “key” in the process
• Identifying the stakeholders
• Understanding the unique interests and needs of each group
• Establishing the process for effective communication

Come away with the expertise and tools to connect a wireless deployment’s key players.

Alan Brady, Communications Supervisor, City of Portsmouth

5:00 PM Exclusive Cocktail Reception

Bring your business cards and network with industry leaders.

Day Two
Thursday September 11th, 2008

7:45 AM Registration & Sponsor Exhibits Open

Continental Breakfast

8:15 AM Opening Address from the Chair

Sascha D. Meinrath, Research Director, New America Foundation’s Wireless Future Program

8:30 AM Five-Year Forecast

Where Is the Industry Headed and the Growth Drivers, Obstacles, New Spectrums, and Divergence Predictions

Many questions remain as to how the municipal wireless industry will look in five years’ time. Will it converge or diverge? What new spectrums and protocols will be established? Hear important predictions and a detailed presentation outlining the possible paths that will evolve in the near future.

• Industry size, segmentation, and forecast
• Obstacles preventing more rapid growth
• Trends and growth drivers
• Emergence of new spectrums

Enlighten yourself on the future of this industry from this enlightening and clued-in presentation.

Stephen A. Blum, President, Tellus Venture Associates

9:15 AM Next Generation Hardware Technologies and Devices

New technology is resulting in developments that will benefit municipal wireless networks and make them a necessity as the wireless device population grows. By 2010, about 14 billion devices available that require wireless access 24/7. This presentation will provide you with a clear understanding of developments and gadgets to come that will need a better performing and more capable network.

• Aligning technology initiatives with end-users’ needs
• The future necessity of mesh networks
• Wi-Fi versus Wi-MAX

Find out how the advancement of devices and hardware technologies are dictating the need and development of wireless networks.

Martin Levetin, VP Carrier and Municipal Networks, Strix Systems

10:00 am Networking Break

Interact with conference speakers and fellow attendees.

10:30 AM Software Development

What the Application Opportunities Are to Leverage and Bring Value to Municipal Wireless Networks

The real value for a municipal wireless network involves the added applications for public services, from transportation to first-responders. This session will outline where the software opportunities exist for software developers and cities alike and illustrate the great potential for product development in this industry.

• Software needs of main city departments (fire, police, operations, hydro)
• Current overview of products on the market and existing gaps
• Setting up third party and independent software vendor programs

Find out where software applications need to step up and what new development opportunities are out there.

Anthony Jones, CTO, City of New Orleans

11:15 AM Overcoming Challenging Deployments

The Development of Honolulu, Hawaii’s, Wireless Network

Learn from this special case study how to rollout a network that benefits public safety, municipal efficiency and crisis response using innovation and originality.

• Building interoperable communications
• Dealing with a difficult topography
• Honolulu’s CIO Council

Overcome your own unique challenges by learning from this inspiring project.

Gordon Bruce, IT Director, City of Honolulu

12:00 PM Networking Luncheon

1:30 PM Keynote Address

European Cities That Have Succeeded In Their Wireless Objectives: Geneva, Switzerland, and Paris, France

Learn from wireless initiatives in European communities of all sizes on how they are getting secure and profitable broadband connections.

• Delivering on security concerns
• Innovative Wi-Fi sharing strategies
• How to come out ahead in a competitive market

Enlighten yourself on what’s happening abroad to better deployment plans at home.

Jean-Bernard Magescas, President, FON France

2:15 PM System Integrator and Value-Added Reseller Feedback Panel

Developing Standards for Information Exchange and Real Solutions from People on the Frontline

Executing a municipal wireless rollout requires many groups working in tandem to deliver effectively a successful deployment. Hear from seasoned integrators and VARs on their important roles in shepherding a project through to completion.

• Outlining the role of these key players
• Key success factors in an effective deployment

Inform yourself on how these key players deliver added success.

John Overley, Director of Sales, Wireless Division, Digitel Corporation
Bruce Gustafson, CEO, SkyTeq International Inc.

3:00 PM Networking Break

3:30 PM Connecting the Ecosystem

How Technology Providers Work Together to Capitalize on a City’s Wireless Infrastructure

Every member of the municipal wireless ecosystem can enhance productivity for the city and increase their own profits by capitalizing on the benefits of wireless technology.

Learn how to leverage the investment you made in a municipal wireless network…

• Network expansion opportunities
• Key industry partnerships to make
• Ultra low power 802.11

Take away key knowledge to capitalize on municipal wireless opportunities.

Dan Piroli, Senior Vice President, Point Six Wireless

4:15 PM Funding Models

Private/Public Partnerships that Spread Resources and
Fairly Distribute Responsibility

Securing the proper financing is the first step to deployment. This session is an opportunity to review innovative financing strategies through public/private partnerships.

• Who funded the project?
• Private/public partnership deal structures
• What are the public and private sector roles?

Learn through examples from Spokane, WA, and Pittsburgh, PA, on how to think through and identify initial and sustainable funding.

Michael Edwards, President and CEO, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

5:00 pm END OF DAY TWO