SuperComm 2003 starts June 1 in Atlanta, bringing together the telecom industry at one of its most challenging times. To help steer service providers, their customers and equipment manufacturers through the obstacles that bankruptcies, a difficult economy and political uncertainties have created, SuperComm has prepared 52 educational sessions divided into six categories: applications, services and content; broadband networks and services; wireless networks and services; carrier IP networks and services; network and information security; and optical networks and services.

The show also includes six full-day sessions on IP network security, broadband service delivery, next-generation optical networks, mobile IP and data services, IP convergence and next-generation broadband networks.

For those who want to see equipment demonstrated, more than 500 exhibitors will display their wares at the Georgia World Congress Center. The floor opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the show. Here are some highlights.

Monday, June 2

Click to see: Pick of the day

Voice-over-IP networks have appeal as a possible way to save money and streamline networks, and are the main driver for convergence in many businesses. But what is the proper architecture? How do you ensure quality of service? Is there justification for expecting VoIP to yield more productivity from workers? What is the effect on administration of corporate nets? VoIP standards, architecture, predeployment testing, in-service monitoring and management for enterprise VoIP services also will be discussed. Scott Atkinson, president of ICSI Consulting Services, will chair this panel, leading Laura Thompson, vice president of marketing for Sylantro Systems, and Alan Clark, president of Telchemy.

Information security - large enterprise imperatives and solutions
8:15 to 9:15 a.m.

Never has corporate network security been more of a concern, prompting businesses to spend more protecting their assets even in the face of cutbacks. Industries such as banking and healthcare also are under new regulations to protect their networks and data. This session focuses on steps the largest corporations are taking to boost network security. Hear from panelists William Hancock, chief security officer for Cable & Wireless, and Christopher Leach, CTO of IT, Bank One.