Networks 2006 will focus on the challenges of planning networks to deliver on the promise of Convergence and NGN. The challenges are many - how to build high performance networks for converged services where every step is cost justified and drives profitable growth, where difficult issues of scalability, end-to-end network performance, network management, reliability, security and interoperability are planned and then realized, and where flexibility is maintained to allow experimentation with new applications that can foster new and compelling revenue streams for operators. Unleashing the core value of convergence requires innovation in network planning methods, scalable architectures, new optimization algorithms, and understanding the tradeoffs between different technology choices and migration paths.

We are living in very interesting times right now. The revolution we had been hoping for is finally taking place. Mobile and fixed operators are moving to next generation networks. Hundreds of trials are underway. Many operators have made recent commitments, very significant investments towards their future vision, often reducing spending drastically on extensions to current infrastructures to allow spending on new platforms. At such times, industry professionals are on a high learning growth curve and there is an urgent need for forums where true learning can occur thru the exploration of diverse perspectives and opposing viewpoints, the presentation of leading-edge results in planning specific networks, and state-of-the art methods and tools.

Networks 2006 provides such an opportunity. It is the 12th of such symposia, held every two years, and attracting participants from all over the world - from network operators, to systems and software companies, to researchers from universities and industry, to systems integrators. At Networks 2006 , we will continue the tradition of state-of-the art papers, invited presentations, and panel sessions, as international experts present their latest findings and share experiences in network strategy, planning, operations, management, and design.

May we invite you to participate in Networks 2006 !

Date: November 6 – 9, 2006
Venue: Hyatt Regency, New Delhi, India