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Detailed Conference Agenda

DAY ONE:
Wednesday November 5th, 2008

7:30 AM

Registration Opens

8:20 AM

Opening Remarks From The Chair

8:30 AM

WiMAX and White Spaces: Technology and Development at the Communications Research Centre

The Communications Research Centre plays a key role in the Canadian telecommunications landscape. As a federal agency and centre of excellence for communications R&D, CRC can play an integral role in the adoption of WiMAX as the broadband wireless standard. Hear about:

• CRC’s R&D activities relating to WiMAX
• Development of the 802.22 standard for the use of white spaces
  
• The Canadian telecom landscape and how CRC will aid full-scale WiMAX deployment

Gerry Chan, Vice President, Terrestrial Wireless Systems Branch, Communications Research Centre Canada

9:15 AM

Case Study: Hanna, Alberta

The strengths of 4G wireless networks are visible in fixed broadband access for rural areas. One of WiMAX’s early success stories in Canada is presented, with updates to the deployment two years on.

• Examine scalability and performance evaluations of a pioneering Canadian application
• Develop strategies for your deployment based on a local community context
• Determine obstacles to avoid and shortcuts to effective implementation

Hear from a pioneer in Canadian WiMAX deployment on how to roll out your network effectively.

Terry Duchcherer, President, Netago Wireless

10:00 AM

Networking Break

Interact with conference speakers and fellow attendees.

10:30 AM

Cicso WiMAX and the Connected Life

Broadband wireless technologies such as WiMAX will enable new forms of connectivity in both developed and developing markets. As a key player in the field, Cisco plans to leverage its position to use IP and enhance the links between businesses, customers, markets and services.

• How the Connected Life will impact subscriber use of broadband wireless
• The effect on devices and levels of service
• Working towards aligning with Service Providers

Christopher Emery, Director Business Development, Cisco Canada

11:15 AM

Getting Ready for Rollout:
How to Prepare for the Emergent Technology

With full-scale deployment of WiMAX broadband in Canada predicted to take place, viable deployment strategies and delivery capabilities will make up a key component of future success. Attend this presentation and gain the insight needed to position your company as a leader in WiMAX service and technology.

• Examine the latest developments in chip manufacturing
• Develop the tools needed to adapt to the new context and effectively compete
• Understand how to upgrade your operations before the onset of full scale deployment

Attend this panel to hear from prominent industry figures on what to expect when national deployment becomes a reality.

Mike Dixon, VP Wireless Networks, Motorola Canada

12:00 PM

Exhibition Area – Networking Luncheon

Join the conference speakers and your peers for a relaxing luncheon.

1:30 PM

Case Study: Quesnel, B.C.

Early applications of WiMAX have found success in B.C., where ABC Communications has partnered with the city of Quesnel to provide a broadband network for municipal services. Hear from both the city and the ISP on:

• Finding the right equipment to suit your municipality’s needs
• Unique applications of broadband wireless for security and policing
• Efficiency gains over older network architectures

Hear about an innovative WiMAX partnership between a local municipality and a major regional ISP.

Brenda Bouchette, Project Engineer, ABC Communications

2:15 PM

LTE: Challenges and Competitive Positioning

A vital question for anyone involved in 4G wireless networks is how the competing standards will develop and what this will mean for broadband service provision as a whole. This session tackles the defining issue in the 4G wireless debate head-on.

• Which is more viable?
• Analyzing cost-efficiency, time-to-market, industry adoption trends
• Making the best decision for your interests

Gauge the relative positioning of WiMAX and LTE as competing standards, along with opportunities to co-function.

Ravi Kalavakunta, Director of Technical Marketing, Qualcomm

3:00 PM

Networking Break

3:30 PM

Revolutionizing Portable Devices

One of the most exciting areas in which WiMAX can have an impact is the use of portable devices such as PDAs, smartphones and digital media players. This session takes a serious look at what 4G wireless may enable you to do in the near future:

• What devices will be supported, and what benefits will PDAs and other portable devices gain?
• Can the imagined features be realized in the near-term?
• What device companies are onboard?

Explore the potential that WiMAX can bring to portable device users in your municipality and the quality of life improvements it affords.

4:15 PM

How ISPs, Municipalities and Other Players Will Benefit from New Developments in Broadband Wireless Capabilities

Developments in wireless broadband applications is happening at an exponential rate and industry suppliers and end-users are benefiting. This session will review how end-users such as consumers, SME’s and large corporations are buying into the changes and the future potential this means for the industry. Take away practical knowledge on:

• The potentials of mobile TV and other interactive and multi-platform technologies
• New products suppliers are creating to serve the public and other end-users
• What consumers are using and what they will pay for

Prof. Charles Davis, Research Chair in Media Management and Entrepreneurship, Ryerson University

5:00 PM

Conference Adjourns To Day Two

Day Two:
Thursday November 6th, 2008

7:30 AM

Registration Opens

8:15 AM

Recap Of Day One By The Chair

8:30 AM

Regulatory Update:

Latest Developments in Spectrum Licensing and its Implications for Broadband Service

This session will feature an official from Industry Canada who will provide a full debriefing on the government’s spectrum policies. Attend this crucial presentation and take away key facts on:

• The current regulatory model and its implications for deployment
• Spectrum ownership and details of remaining auctioning
• Whether current spectrum will be used for mobile or fixed broadband
• Most recent status of different bands and the potential for frequency interference

Determine what the federal government intends to do to ensure spectrum licensing enables effective wireless broadband deployment in the country.

Doug Sward, Senior Director Spectrum Planning & Engineering, Industry Canada

9:15 AM

Case Study: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Projected to be the first city in the US to offer citywide mobile WiMAX coverage, the partnership between Clearwire and the City of Grand Rapids is an essential learning tool for ISPs and other municipalities preparing for 4G wireless. Gain valuable insight on:

• The potential to exchange service for access to antenna sites and subsidized provision to low-income residents
• Ensuring timely deployment through an effective public-private consultative process
• Increasing municipal revenue through wireless service provision

A must-attend case study to see what the future of municipal-corporate collaboration on WiMAX will look like.

Sally Wesorick, Wireless City Project Manager, City of Grand Rapids

10:00 AM

Networking Break

Interact with conference speakers and fellow attendees.

10:30 AM

Regional Broadband Strategy:
Centre for Smart Community Innovation

The use of WiMAX as a component in an overall community networking strategy depends on the network design, standards of implementation and the users’ expected outcomes from broadband services. The necessary considerations of a regional broadband strategy will be presented to advance the capability of communities in their WiMAX deployments.

• Key components for consideration in a regional broadband strategy
• Network provisioning in relationship to technology use
  
• Impacts of the use of selected networks in certain geographic areas

Learn to develop a broadband strategy for your region as a component of your infrastructure planning.

Dr. Todd Sands, Executive Director, Centre for Smart Community Innovation, University of Windsor

11:15 AM

Legal Perspectives on Spectrum Ownership and the Canadian Regulatory Environment

Hear a legal expert on Canadian telecommunications discuss the relevant issues to consider in the Canadian ecosystem:

• How Canadian ISPs operate and the Canadian wireless consumer’s mindset
• Regulatory considerations and processes of gaining access
• The scope of the market and areas with greater growth potential

Stephen Whitehead, Partner, Fasken Martineau

12:00 PM

Networking Luncheon

Compare notes with your colleagues and conference faculty over a relaxing lunch.

1:30 PM

Public Policy and Community Perspectives on Broadband Access: Ensuring Community Participation in WiMAX Deployment

As broadband technology grows more robust, concerns about the effects of disproportionate access should be at the forefront for municipalities and other stakeholders. A significant part of public policy dialogue on this matter focuses on the role that community networking may play in technology deployment and policy development.

• Gauge the implications of mobile broadband use for everyday life
• Consider how sound governance of the industry can enable broader access
• Determine the potential of public participation in information infrastructure development

Take away key information on maximizing the social benefits of WiMAX deployment in Canada.

Prof. Andrew Clement, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto

2:15 PM

Working with the Provincial Government:
Ontario’s Digital Strategy

This session will introduce Ontario’s Digital Strategy and the investments and work already underway in the province to enhance broadband availability. Gain insight into the partnerships and relationships among diverse players that is needed to:

• Work with municipalities and other committed stakeholders to continue closing broadband connectivity gaps
• Enable citizens and businesses to gain the skills and technology to fully participate in the digital economy and knowledge society
• Enhance Ontario’s digital infrastructure so that it can meet the needs of a changing economy now and in the future
• Enable all citizens to access online government services and participate in a digital society regardless of geography, income level, disability, language skills and education

Analyze Ontario’s public sector involvement in 4G wireless with this informative session.

Rob Dowler, Corporate Chief Strategist, Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services

3:00 PM

TBD

3:45 PM

Closing Remarks/Networking

4:00 PM

Conference adjourns