Workshop A4: VoIP Audio Conferencing: Benefits & Shortcomings – Real Life Best Practices from the Front Line
Thursday, September 14, 2006, 11:45am - 12:45
This session will bring together industry leading experts to discuss why VoIP is essential to the future of audio conferencing. The panel consists of individuals who have been developing, marketing and running VoIP audio conferencing services. We will discuss the benefits of using VoIP as a transport mechanism and VoIP equipment to bridge the calls. The session will also detail some of the shortcomings and pitfalls that have had to be overcome and still need to be overcome to fully recognize the emerging potential of VoIP audio conferencing services.
Ben Lilienthal, Co-founder and CEO, Vapps
Ben is the Co-founder of Vapps. Ben previously founded Nascent Technologies which provided enhanced services software to major telecommunications companies worldwide including France Telecom, Belgacom and Hong Kong Telecom. He sold Nascent to CMGI in May, 1999 and Nascent was then acquired by Sendmail, Inc. in 2001. Ben is a graduate of Amherst College and received his MBA in economics from NYU.
William Stofega, Research Manager, IDC
William Stofega is a Research Manager with IDC’s Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) Services Program. This program analyzes the market demand for VoIP services communications services in both the consumer and enterprise markets. Will is an expert on the organizational structures, product offerings and strategic directions for all services providers including RBOCs, CLECs, RLECs, IXCs Cable MSOs and Virtual Carriers. Immediately prior to joining IDC, Will was a Research Analyst with the Telecom Research Group, a subsidiary of Washington DC-based Warren Communications News. At the Telecom Research Group, he did extensive research and co-authored the highly detailed "Inside the RBOCs" and authored "Inside the Bandwidth Providers" research report series. Prior to his tenure at the Telecom Research Group, Will was a research analyst covering regulatory and legislative developments the securities industry for nine years at Dewey Ballantine LLP, a New York-based corporate law firm. Mr. Stofega received both his B.A. and M.A. degree from the University of Maryland at College Park.
