Here's a news release I got this morning on a Voice 2.0 - Beyond Telecom conference coming to Ottawa this October. While players like Microsoft and Nortel are key to the evolution of voice services, it's a real positive point to note that the innovators like iotum and FirstHand
Technologies also play pivotal roles.

CANADA TACKLES NEXT-GENERATION COMMUNICATION ISSUES
Voice 2.0 Conference to Discuss Industry Evolution

Ottawa, Canada, August 30, 2006 - An array of new, exciting and disruptive trends are sweeping the telecommunications sector, and those at the forefront of these changes will be in Ottawa at Scotiabank Place on October 16th, 2006 for Voice 2.0 - Beyond Telecom. The conference will consist of keynotes, panel discussions and participant defined workshops in five key topic areas: open source telephony, lead platform technologies and architectures, new applications of voice technology (mashups), alternative networks, and the new user experience.

Representatives from industry leaders Cisco, Microsoft Canada, Nokia and Nortel, up-and-coming players including Iotum and FirstHand Technologies, as well as researchers and developers will be on hand to explore key changes affecting today's communication industry. Through interactive sessions, Voice 2.0 will include prime chances for networking and the ability to gain a greater understanding of the opportunities that these changes present.

There is a great need for a venue where practitioners at the forefront of building next-generation communications networks and applications can get a broad perspective on the changes in telecom, said Ross MacLeod, Voice 2.0's conference host. Voice 2.0 will provide an environment where attendees can share experiences that will speed the adoption of leading technologies and practices in the sector.

Participants will explore how changes are impacting the telecommunications industry and discover new opportunities for collaboration. As well, to ensure dialogue between participants, several opportunities are available for content suggestion and presentations by companies and individuals highlighting new technologies and ventures. To register, suggest content for sessions or to learn more about Voice 2.0, visit www.voice2.ca.

About Voice 2.0
In collaboration with the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI) www.ocri.ca, Voice 2.0 is Ottawa's premiere next-generation communications conference. Held October 16th at Scotiabank Place, the event will bring together telecom practitioners to share insight and information regarding the changing communications sector. Visit www.voice2.ca for additional information.