WASHINGTON -- Today, TelecomNEXT unveiled a sneak preview of its 2007 show with the announcement of heavy-hitting communications and media CEO keynotes. TelecomNEXT, the only event where the business and technology of communications and entertainment meet, will be held March 18-21, 2007, in Las Vegas at the Sands Expo and The Venetian.

"With the telecommunications industry making unprecedented investments in advanced broadband networks and embarking on a historic expansion into the television marketplace, TelecomNEXT is again establishing itself as the elite gathering ground for forward-looking communications, media and technology executives and companies," said Walter B. McCormick Jr., President & CEO of USTelecom, the sponsor of TelecomNEXT. "In today's rapidly evolving communications market there are countless new business opportunities for innovative companies looking to make their mark. With all of the leading industry decision makers at TelecomNEXT, serious players in the communications space cannot afford to miss this one-of-a-kind event."

Leading the first wave of TelecomNEXT keynote speaker announcements:

Ed Whitacre, Chairman & CEO, AT&T

    Bob Wright, Vice Chairman and Executive Officer, GE
                Chairman and CEO, NBC Universal

    Tom Freston, President and CEO, Viacom

    Ed Zander, Chairman & CEO, Motorola

    Michael Sabia, President & CEO, Bell Canada Enterprises

    Kevin Martin, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission

Additional featured speakers include Randall Stephenson, Chief Operating Officer, AT&T.

TelecomNEXT conference partners will also bring industry heavy-hitters to the event. Premier conference partner ATIS, the leading technical planning and standards development organization for the communications and related information technologies industry, will present its exclusive TechThink program featuring the industry's leading technology officers: Chris Rice, Executive Vice President - Network Planning & Engineering, AT&T; Bill Smith, CTO, BellSouth; Mark Wegleitner, Senior Vice President - Technology & CTO, Verizon; and Pieter Poll, CTO, Qwest.

In addition, the Stifel Nicolaus Financial Conference will explore the investment and financial issues facing today's integrated communications industry. The conference will feature CEOs from leading mid-size carriers including: Mike Mahoney, President & CEO, Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises; Bob Currey, President & CEO, Consolidated Communications; and Jeff Gardner, President & CEO, Windstream Communications.

Other confirmed government speakers include Ambassador David A. Gross, U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy and FCC Commissioner Michael Copps.

With top decision makers and buyers walking the show floor, exhibiting companies are still talking about the tremendous quality of C-level executives, procurement officials, decision makers and industry influencers at TelecomNEXT.

"We found TelecomNEXT to be the ideal place to meet broadband providers big and small, from the rural telcos to the SBCs, Verizons and Comcasts of the world," said David Callisch from Ruckus Wireless. "Unlike other tradeshows where you're hoping, hoping, hoping to meet quality attendees, TelecomNEXT leverages its USTelecom roots to deliver people who actually buy. That's actually a rarity among today's conference and exhibitions."

Cordell is a prime example of exhibitor success at TelecomNEXT. "While at the show, we attracted a number of clients that would have been difficult and expensive to do individually. One in particular, was from outside the U.S. and subsequent contacts have led to negotiations on a very large project for their country," explained William E. Mathews III, President and CEO of Cordell. He said his company attends 15 tradeshows a year and was pleased by the quality of traffic at TelecomNEXT.

With 215,700 net square feet of exhibit space, TelecomNEXT 2006 displayed an unprecedented collection of cutting-edge product and technology demonstrations, providing an exciting preview of the next revolutions in communications and entertainment. Brimming with live demonstrations and discussions, the TelecomNEXT exhibit floor was the place where CEOs, CTOs, CFOs, network planners, operators, managers, media and analysts came together to discuss, explore and acquire "what's next" in a rapidly innovating and integrating industry.

"In 2006, TelecomNEXT successfully delivered on our promise to build the venue that brings together the communications and entertainment industries' top decision makers," explained USTelecom's McCormick. "Our 2007 event will build on this strong foundation with industry leaders sharing their vision of what's next and with a cutting-edge marketplace that helps network operators continue the communications and entertainment revolution that is well underway."

For more information on TelecomNEXT, go to www.telecom-next.com/keynotes/keynotes.html.