Published: Aug. 25, 2003

Editors: Members of the press are welcome to attend the forum free of charge.

The CU-Boulder School of Law's Silicon Flatirons Telecommunications Program will hold its second annual "Challenges of Convergence" forum on Sept. 3 at 3:30 p.m. in the school's Lindsley Memorial Courtroom.

Seating is limited and participants are asked to register in advance at . Various fees apply.

The forum will feature two, one-hour panel discussions titled "The Future of the Network" and "The Applications of the Future." Panelists will discuss the dramatic changes underway in the telecommunications industry.

Following the panel discussions FCC Chairman Chief of Staff Marsha McBride will deliver the keynote speech.

"The information industries face a number of legal, technological and business challenges raised by the increasing importance of digital technologies that rely on broadband connections," explained Phil Weiser, executive director of the Silicon Flatirons program. "I am delighted that we have gathered such a stellar group of panelists to discuss both the relevant challenges and appropriate responses," he said.

Forum participants will include Joe Waz, vice president of external affairs and public policy at Comcast; Steve Davis, senior vice president at Qwest; Don Gips, group vice president at Level 3 Communications; Justin Jaschke, CEO, NTT/Verio; David Goodfriend, director of legal and business affairs, Echostar; David Reed, CTO, Cablelabs; Mark Roellig, general counsel, StorageTek; Jean Becker, senior vice president of engineering, McData; Tony Werner, CTO, Liberty Media; and Brad Feld, managing director, Mobius Venture Capital.

The forum is the first of three events Silicon Flatirons will host this fall. On Oct. 16 a panel of telecommunications experts will discuss the repercussions of the breakup of telecommunications giant AT&T 20 years ago. On Oct. 28, FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy will visit the CU-Boulder campus to talk about emerging communications technologies.

The Silicon Flatirons Telecommunications Program was established nearly four years ago to examine cutting-edge issues involving telecommunications technology, business, law and policy. It is one of several special programs at the CU School of Law.

For more information contact Kley Achterhof at (303) 735-5633, or by e-mail at kley.achterhof@colorado.edu.