The speakers for this year’s International CTIA Wireless 2008 Educational Sessions, which takes place in Las Vegas April 1-3, have been chosen. Approximately 175 speakers will lead discussions on this year’s topics. These sessions will address the most 
important issues facing wireless carriers, mobile device and infrastructure manufactures, content developers, media companies and technology enablers. The conference will focus on the changing marketplace as the wire line and wireless industries converge, impacting nearly all aspects of life and business.
“The CTIA Educational Sessions are designed to explore the complex issues impacting the wireless industry,” said Robert Mesirow, show director and vice president of CTIA WIRELESS. “We have made some exciting additions to our program this year that reflect new developments in infrastructure, the emergence of new players in the industry, and the widespread adoption of wireless technology worldwide. Attendees can look forward to two days of insightful commentary and discussion from the leaders who are shaping a new generation of technology and enabling an even greater wireless lifestyle.”
This year’s educational sessions are broken into three categories:
Mobile Blueprint – Addressing the technical strategies for building wireless networks, devices and applications, this track will delve into issues surrounding open networks and the impact on devices, services and applications. Andrew Seybold will moderate the opening session on Open Networks along with Tony Mestres, GM of Mobile Communications at Microsoft, and former CTIA keynoter Atish Gude, senior vice president of Mobile Broadband for Sprint’s Xohm business unit. Other sessions in this track will address the emergence of mobile widgets; 4G technology; the outlook for handset features; cost concerns associated with cell site backhaul; mobile operating system technology; security trends and technologies; and the distribution of applications as software (rather than through service plans).
Mobile Lifestyles – This track, focusing on the content and usability of wireless devices, will feature two high-level carrier panels with representation from Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. On Tuesday, April 1, carrier executives who have P&L responsibility for mobile content will engage in a discussion about new products and services aimed at gaining subscriber revenue. On Wednesday, April 2, Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) from leading carriers will discuss how they are adjusting their business models and strategies to compete in the future with open networks and fixed/mobile convergence. Other lifestyle sessions will address the rise of the “Pro-sumer”; issues associated with the use of one device in both personal and professional lives; mobile social networking; technologies to facilitate mobile shopping; mobile search solutions; and developments in wireless Internet access and content distribution.
Mobile “Customer-ization” – This track will explore the many ways in which customers are receiving and utilizing mobile content. Sessions include managing mobile content sales and strategies; mobile video adoption and monetization; cameraphone code scanning technologies; mobile brand advertising; new demographics of mobile users; and commercializing location based services.
For a list of speakers or to register, see the links below.