Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Ashley Rook, +1.202.429.4929, AshleyRook@Rational360.com

TIA to Hold Event on Transition from Public Switched Telephone Network to Internet Protocol Network – June 21 in Arlington, Va.

Experts from FCC, AT&T, Verizon, XO Communications, GENBAND and Others will Explore Policy Challenges Facing Transition & Impact on the Network

Arlington, VA (May 20, 2013) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, today invited media to attend “Network Transition: Going from the PSTN to an All Internet Protocol Network.” The panel discussion – which will take place on Friday, June 21, from 10 a.m.-noon at TIA’s headquarters in Arlington, Va. – will gather executives from leading companies to explore the effects of the switch from the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to an Internet Protocol network (IP), as well as the policy and regulatory hurdles facing the transition. The panels will conclude with a Luncheon Keynote from the FCC’s Technology Transitions Policy Task Force.

The move from PSTN to IP technologies is one of the U.S. communications network’s most pressing and fundamental issues.  TIA’s recently released 2013 Market Review & Forecast (MR&F) reports that among enterprise networks, the transition to IP technologies will be one of the ICT industry’s top economic drivers over the next four years, as legacy services are replaced with IP alternatives.

The program is open to the media, and interested reporters should contact Ashley Rook to RSVP: AshleyRook@Rational360.com or 202-429-4929.

WHO:            The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)
WHAT:           Network Transition: Going from the PSTN to an All Internet Protocol Network
WHEN:           Friday, June 21, 2013, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WHERE:         TIA Headquarters: 1320 N. Courthouse Rd., Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22201

The following panels will conclude with:

Luncheon Keynote from the FCC’s Technology Transitions Policy Task Force

While inevitable, the transition's timing and success depends on the resolution of significant policy and regulatory issues.  To identify necessary policy changes and help networks make the transition, TIA has assembled a panel of executives and industry experts to discuss the following topics:

1. Technology to Reach a Post-PSTN Network – “How Does the Network Change?"

• John Barnhill, Office of the CTO, GENBAND
• Don Procopio, Product Line & Solutions Manager, Fixed Access Division, Alcatel-Lucent

An all-IP network will be free from many of the technical limitations of the copper infrastructure that has constrained the legacy PSTN network and as a result, both telephone central offices and “last-mile” connections can become more cost efficient.  How will harder-to-serve communities be impacted?

2. Barriers for an IP Transition – "What Are the Hurdles?"

• Daniel Berninger, Founder, Voice Communication Exchange
• Jeff Cohen, Chief Counsel for Law and Policy and Director of Government Relations, APCO

The PSTN network operates in a legal framework in which carriers are subject to distinct regulatory obligations, including competitive and public safety requirements.  To what extent should – or even can – these legacy obligations be applied to an all-IP network?

3. Options for the IP Transition – "How to Do It?"

• Kristie Ince, Vice President Regulatory Affairs, tw telecom
• Bob Quinn, Senior Vice President-Federal Regulatory, AT&T
• Lisa R. Youngers, Vice President, Federal Affairs, XO Communications
• David Young, Vice President, Federal Regulatory Affairs, Verizon

How should the transition to an all-IP network take place and what should the role of regulators be?  Should the change be modeled after the Digital Television transition and go into effective on a specific date, or occur more gradually?  How can transition challenges be identified and best addressed?

View full agenda here..

The panel discussion will be hosted by TIA’s Broadband Convergence Working Group (BCWG) and will precede a meeting of its Public Policy Committee. It will be videotaped for replay on the association’s online video network, TIA NOW.

About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment, and entertainment. Visit tiaonline.org for more details.

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and is a proud sponsor of ANSI’s Standards Boost Business campaign. Visit www.standardsboostbusiness.org  for details.

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