Thursday, February 12, 2009

28% of Broadband Households in Western Europe Watch Online TV Monthly

CONNECTIONS(TM) Europe Summit examines new opportunities in broadband, video services, digital media, CE

DALLAS, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- International research firm Parks Associates announced today the topics and preliminary list of speakers for CONNECTIONS(TM) Europe Summit, March 31, 2009, in Nice, France. This executive event addresses the new strategies for service and technology providers, media companies, and manufacturers in creating new entertainment and communications solutions.

"Twenty-eight percent of broadband households in Western Europe watch TV shows online at least monthly," said Kurt Scherf, vice president, principal analyst, Parks Associates. "HDTV ownership among broadband households is at or above 50% in several countries. Combining online activities with advanced CE is one point of convergence where companies with the right solution can offer real value to their customers. CONNECTIONS(TM) Europe focuses on these emerging opportunities."

Summit sessions include broadband and value-added services, the evolution of video services, digital media, connected CE, digital home services and customer support, and the future of consumer technologies.

CONNECTIONS(TM) Europe features Roger Pitton, Program Director, TV Business, Microsoft Corporation, delivering the keynote "IPTV and the keys to keeping customers." The event also features:

        Michimasa Aramaki, HD-PLC Alliance
        Thierry Boudard, Thomson
        Richard Bullwinkle, Macrovision
        Mark Cavicchia, WhereverTV
        Brian Donnelly, Icron
        Margot Dor, ETSI
        Paul Entwistle, Pace
        Milan Erbes, HGI
        Gil Eyal, Enure Networks
        Ed Forman, ActiveVideo Networks
        Peter Galyas, Tilgin
        Trevor Izsak, Cloakware
        Stefan Jenzowsky, moreTV Broadcasting GmbH
        Art Lancaster, Affinegy
        Dr. Ulrich Leiner, Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, HHI
        Dr. Anton Monk, MoCA; Entropic Communications
        Trond Neergard, Radialpoint
        Dr. Randolph Nikutta, Deutsche Telekom AG, Laboratories
        Frederic Onado, HomePlug Powerline Alliance; SPiDCOM Technologies
        Eric Plesner, IO-Homecontrol
        Micha Risling, Valens Semiconductor
        Eran Rom, Jungo
        Bill Stanley, Telcordia

Event sponsors include Advisory Sponsors Affinegy and Enure Networks and Supporting Sponsor HomeGrid Forum. CONNECTIONS(TM) Global Sponsors include ActiveVideo Networks, Affinegy, Cloakware, DSC, HD-PLC, Icron, Macrovision, MoCA(TM), ProVision Communications, Radialpoint, Telcordia, and Zilog.

For information, visit http://www.connectionseurope.com or contact 972-490-1113, sales@parksassociates.com.

About CONNECTIONS(TM) EuropeSummit

CONNECTIONS(TM) Europe Summits, produced by Parks Associates, provide attendees with high-level analysis and consumer research, networking opportunities, and information on emerging residential and mobile technologies and services. Each focused event creates a forum where executives can learn about vital international trends, successful strategies, and key players in the development of digital living technologies. http://www.connectionseurope.com

    Contact: Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein
    Parks Associates
    972-490-1113
    Email: mindi.sue@parksassociates.com