With presenters from AT&T, MCNC, SAS, a keynote address from former FCC executive Blair Levin who helped create the nation’s broadband strategy, and panelists from startups to global enterprises, the lineup is set for the “Fiber Transforms the Triangle Conference” on Oct. 13 at SAS.

The future of broadband, from gigabit Internet access to the home at 100 times cable speed to direct fiber-optic connections for buildings, is coming to the Triangle. And WRAL TechWire’s Executive Exchange event is bringing together experts who will explain how they – and you – are going to capitalize on a much faster Internet.

“This conference is going to help answer a lot of questions about fiber networks and what they mean to the Triangle,” says WRAL Tech Wire Editor Rick Smith. “From the builders to end-users, from MCNC’s statewide network to and AT&T’s coming GigaPower and the North Carolina Next Generation Network, we have experts who will discuss plans, opportunities and take questions.

“Plus, we have Blair Levin as our keynote speaker. He’s an acknowledged thought leader in broadband globally, and he’ll have a lot to say about what all Internet users can expect.”

AT&T will be building the North Carolina Next Generation Network after being selected by the NCNGN consortium of universities and city governments in the Triangle and Winston-Salem. Deployments are now being planned.

The Lineup

Opening speakers include:

  • Michael Goodmon (VP, Capitol Broadcasting Company)
  • Venessa Harrison (President, AT&T North Carolina)
  • Pat Moody (CEO, MCNC)
  • Keith Collins (CIO, SAS)

Next comes keynote speaker Levin, the former FCC chief of staff who helped create the nation’s broadband strategy.

Two panel discussions that follow will focus on broadband service providers and companies preparing to capitalize on gigabit Internet.

Joe Freddoso, former CEO of MCNC which recently completed the state’s coast-to-mountains fiber network, will moderate the service provider panel. Panelists are:

  • Will Aycock (Greenlight Operations Manager, City of Wilson)
  • Dennis Bloss (VP and GM, Frontier Communications North Carolina)
  • Ray Carey (CEO, NeoNova Network Services)
  • Mark Johnson (CTO, MCNC)
  • Eric Small (VP Project LightGig, AT&T)

Nick Otto, senior IT manager at SAS, will moderate the business opportunity panel. Panelists are:

  • Brian Baker (VP, Sentinel Data Centers)
  • Joanne Rohde (CEO, Axial Exchange)
  • Bill Stice (City of Cary, N.C. Next Generation Network)
  • Steve Vanderwoude (angel investor and former telecom executive)

The conference begins at 9 a.m.

MCNC and AT&T are co-sponsors of the conference. Sentinel is also a participating sponsor.

Ticket information is available online.