SCOPE:

Broadband networks are witnessing a convergence in both technologies and delivered services. Next-generation services require unified and scalable technologies spread across the network protocol layers facilitating a converged service model across all partitions of the network. Advanced integrated systems and network platforms have benefits in terms of deployment cost as well as the ability to provision new services. Motivated by the tremendous success of the first ANTS (2007) event which highlighted advances in systems and networking, the theme of IEEE ANTS 2008 is on communication systems and networking technologies for Realizing converged ubiquitous broadband connectivity. To achieve this goal, the symposium will feature a technical program of previously unpublished papers, tutorials, talks and panels on relevant topics bringing together experts from academia, industry, government and the user community who are involved in the research, design, development, deployment, regulation and application of communication and networking technologies. The symposium will cover technologies that facilitate broadband connectivity - both wire-line and wireless - and cover advances in the service, networking, transport and user equipment domains. Making ubiquitous broadband affordable is driving service providers, network operators, and OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) towards converged network solutions and services as a way to reduce CAPEX and OPEX. Further, cost-effective research and development partnerships with knowledge economies in India, China, and Eastern Europe are being increasingly leveraged as can be gauged by the growth of ODMs (Original Design Manufacturers) and software service providers. IEEE ANTS 2008 provides a common meeting point for the confluence and exchange of ideas with a rich mix of participation from the academia, global industry and other stakeholders. The symposium will be held in the commercial and entertainment capital of India - Bombay - on December 15-17, 2008.

IEEE ANTS 2008 will cover the following topics consistent with the theme of Realizing Converged Ubiquitous Broadband Connectivity:

Network, Services and Terminal Convergence Home Networks and Media Gateways SMB & Enterprise Networks & Systems Wireless Access Networks and Systems Wire-line Access Networks and Systems Metro Networks and Systems Core Networks and Systems Storage Networks and Systems Network Virtualization Application Aware Networking Data Security, Content Processing/Billing IPTV, VoD and Mobile Video Digital Rights Management First mile access networks Passive Optical Networks (PON)

Powerline Communications (PLC) Long-Reach Broadband Access Carrier Ethernet Metro Ethernet, PBB, PBT, PBB-TE, T-MPLS MPLS, VPLS, VPNs Optical networks Network architectures and protocol Routing, traffic, services over optical networks Survivability and service level agreements (SLA) Futuristic technologies for emerging economies Equipment provider experiences, planning and future designs Service provider experiences, planning and future designs ITU, OIF, IETF activities