Business Communications Review to Host 18th Annual Next Generation Networks Event in Boston, November 1-5.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Event Eyes the Future of the Enterprise Network, Providing Senior Level IT Strategists With Timely Insights Required For Intelligent Planning

BCR, a MediaLive International company, today announced the launch of Business Communications Review's 18th annual Next Generation Networks Conference, the premier industry forum for advanced, high-speed networks. NGN(R) brings together thought leaders from enterprises, service providers, venture capitalists and equipment manufacturing organizations to analyze and discuss the technologies that will shape networking and telecommunications over the next 3-5 years.

During NGN(R) 2004, attendees will have the opportunity to attend in-depth education sessions on key technologies and issues, including broadband wireless, IP telephony and network convergence, Open Source, home and residential networking, new first-mile broadband technologies, advanced datacenters, new switching/routing techniques and network security. The Next Generation Networks Conference offers the best possible vantage point on the dynamics shaping the industry. No other event matches NGN(R) in terms of the quality of the presented information, the intensity of debate or caliber of contacts.

Among the highlights at NGN(R) 2004 will be three keynotes from key sectors of the industry: Vint Cerf, Senior VP of Technology Strategy with MCI; Andrew Bach, VP of Communications Engineering Planning and Development with the Securities Industry Automation Corp. (SIAC); and Charles Giancarlo, Chief Technology Officer, Cisco Systems, Inc., and President of Linksys, a division of Cisco. Cerf's keynote will analyze the limits of current approaches to telecom regulation and compliment the event's deep analysis of the carrier/enterprise relationship, while Bach will focus on the technical and business realities of building a secure next-generation network that supports the major U.S. stock exchanges and financial services community. Giancarlo will discuss the future for home networking, and how new consumer/residential applications and electronics will reshape network expectations and use.

"Signs of revival are appearing throughout the industry, which makes NGN(R) 2004 the most important in our 18-year history," said Fred Knight, General Manager of Next Generation Networks. "The stakes have never been higher, as buyers and sellers emerge from the most severe downturn in our industry's history and begin to plan -- and spend -- for the future. NGN(R) is the best forum to get a sense of which technologies, architectures, services and vendors have the most momentum."

By focusing on the network strategies, standards, architectures, players and products that stand the best chance of success, NGN(R) offers the best possible vantage point on the dynamics shaping the industry. From the increasing complexity of network security and identity management issues, to the widespread adoption of VoIP and next-generation wireless technologies, to the ongoing evolution towards a more real-time and service-oriented architecture to support business application performance -- NGN(R) addresses the vital issues and technologies that network decision-makers must understand to intelligently plan for tomorrow's business requirements.

"The industry is flooded with events that address the technical issues related to today's networks, but NGN(R) is the one, truly visionary event designed specifically to answer questions about tomorrow's network," said David Passmore, research director for Burton Group. "This is the gathering that draws from the brightest minds and the strongest companies in the industry, and provides much-needed clarity about the future, giving solid context for decision making."

Passmore, one of Network World's "50 Most Powerful" people in networking, chairs the NGN Conference program. In addition to personally reviewing all speaking proposals and presentations to guarantee Next Generation Network's extraordinary high quality and balance, Passmore will introduce key conference themes and moderate important panel discussions throughout the week.

To learn more about how to participate in Next Generation Networks -- as an exhibitor, an attendee, an analyst, or a member of the press -- please visit http://www.bcr.com/ngn/.

About Next Generation Networks

The Next Generation Networks Conference is produced by BCR, a MediaLive International, Inc company. Business Communications Review, the trusted journal of network managers for more than 30 years is the magazine that networking professionals count on to provide them with accurate, unbiased analysis of industry trends. BCR also provides networking seminars and hands-on training with an extensive curriculum of more than 60 courses and is the producer of VoiceCon(R).

About MediaLive International, Inc.

MediaLive International is a media and marketing company that drives the advancement of technology in business. MediaLive International's products and services encompass the IT industry's largest exhibitions, including COMDEX(R) and NetWorld(SM)+Interop(R), such highly focused educational programs as Next Generation Networks(R), custom seminars and proprietary events managed by our Studios division, respected publications including Business Communications Review, and specialized vendor marketing programs. MediaLive International is a privately held company headquartered in San Francisco, with offices throughout the world. For more information about MediaLive International, visit www.medialiveinternational.com.