What to Expect from BBWF Official Events
Mobile Convergence Comes to Life!
What exactly is mobile convergence — and how will it affect your business? More than 300 cross-industry speakers will bring this topic to life across 35 industry sessions. Participants can choose from five dedicated conference tracks: Virtualization & the Cloud, Network Intelligence, Fixed Access Evolution, Mobile Broadband & Convergence, and Connected World. See the topics for each track below:
| Day 1 (Oct 20) | Day 2 (Oct 21) | Day 3 (Oct 22) | |
| Virtualization & the Cloud | Network Function Virtualization (NFV) | Software-defined virtualization (SDx) | Management and Orchestration |
| Network Intelligence | Developing QoE Based Networks | Big Data Analytics | Network & User Security |
| Fixed Access Evolution | G. Fast & DSL Acceleration | FTTx & Gigabit Communities | CDNs & Video Optimization |
| Mobile Broadband & Convergence | Fixed-Mobile Convergence | 5G & LTE-Advanced HetNets | Wi-Fi’s Role in Seamless Connectivity |
| Connected World | Connected Home | Internet of Things | Connecting the Unconnected |
Free Exhibits and Insights
Exhibition pass holders gain three days of free content, inspiring interviews, analyst insights, and live demos. With more than 130 exhibitors and two free-to-attend exhibition theatres, you’ll learn about the latest innovations in the industry, including IoT, interoperability, and virtualization.
Don’t forget to stop by the Incognito booth at A1 to learn more about virtual customer premises equipment (vCPE) — and pick a free copy of our new vCPE for Dummies book!
Exhibition passes includes entry to presentations, debates, and live demos on the exhibition floor. Download the full brochure to learn more.
Highlights include:
What will the future look like for network infrastructure, virtualization, and consumer services? Thought leaders present their visions for the next 10 years.
Virtualization Technology Showcase
New for 2015, the Virtualization Technology Showcase will address some of the key SDN and NFV challenges facing operators.
Live G.PON, Vectoring, and G.Fast Demos
Witness a giant leap in G.Fast, GPON, and VDSL2 development at the Broadband Forum Interoperability Pavilion.
Place your business on a journey to fully maximizing future revenues from the most significant lifestyle development of the decade.
Check out the latest NFV innovations at the world’s largest demonstration of NFV Proof of Concepts.
Ovum Analysts will be on hand to discuss the latest industry trends and what these could mean for your business.
Key People to Network with at BBWF… and What to Talk About
Looking for an inside scoop on broadband trends? Track down these key speakers and have a chat about their area of expertise.
Keynote Speakers:
| Name and Title | Topic |
| Don Clarke, Principal Architect, CableLabs | Outlining the Latest Developments from the ETSI Industry Specification Group for Network Functions Virtualization (ETSI ISG NFV) |
| Bill Morrow, CEO, NBN | Delivering the Multi Technology Mix: Bringing Better Broadband to Australia Faster and More Efficiently |
| Gavin Patterson, Group CEO, BT | From 88 miles per hour to the Speed of Light |
| Vish Nandlall, CTO, Telstra | Unlocking the Revenue Potential of IoT |
| Mehmet Ali Akarca, CEO Corporate Business Unit, Turk Telekom Group | Smart City – Akıllı KenTT. The TT Group Smart Cities Vision |
| Alain Maloberti, SVP Orange Labs Networks | New Generation PoP & Virtualization |
| Berit Svendsen, CEO, Telenor | Fast Forward. Rewind – The New Era of Fixed Broadband |
| Yogesh Malik, Group CTO, Vimpelcom | Seamless Connectivity from a Technology and Customer Viewpoint |
| Tom Mockridge, CEO, Virgin Media | Lightning: Virgin Media’s Multi-Billion Pound Network Expansion across the UK: Opportunities And Challenges |
| DK Lee, Manager – Core Network Lab, SK Telecom | Managing Network Function Virtualization with Intelligent Orchestration |
Where is it?
This year Broadband World Forum makes its London debut at ExCeL London, the city’s premier conference centre. The venue has three onsite DLR (Docklands Light Railway) stations, parking for 3,700 cars, and is 5 minutes from London City Airport.
How to Get There
DLR and Underground
The DLR is part of the London Underground network. Two stations are on the ExCEL London campus: Custom house and Prince Regent. Alight at Custom House for the west entrance and Prince Regent for the east entrance. The Jubilee Line and the DLR are the quickest routes. Tube trains generally run between 5am and midnight, Monday to Saturday, with reduced operating hours on Sunday. Visit the Transport for London website to plan your journey.
London’s public transport network is divided into nine travel zones. ExCeL London is located in Zone 3. Buy a Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card, Travelcard, or use a contactless payment card for the best value (cash is the most expensive way to pay).
Driving
You can reach ExCeL London from many of the main routes into London including the M25 and M11, the North Circular, A406, and the A13. As you get closer, follow signs for Royal Docks, City Airport, and ExCeL. When using GPS, use the postcode E16 1DR to find the parking lot.
Cycling
ExCeL has 60 bicycle racks, which are free to use, located near the east entrance underneath the stairway connecting Level 0 to Level 1. Visit the Transport for London website to plan your route searching for postcode E16 1XL. If using GPS navigation, use postcode E16 1DR.
Riverboat or Cable Car
Take the scenic route and enjoy some of the city’s premier attractions along the way.
Cable Car
The UK’s first urban cable car, the Emirates Air Line, connects ExCeL London to the O2 and North Greenwich tube station. On the cable car, you can enjoy aerial views of London from 90m above the River Thames. A cabin arrives every 30 seconds and flights last 10 minutes. Visit tfl.gov.uk/emiratesairline
Boat
Offering some of the best views of London’s most popular landmarks including Big Ben, the London Eye, the Tower of London, and St. Paul’s Cathedral, this riverboat route is serviced by MBNA Thames Clippers with departures from major London piers every 20 minutes. Alight at North Greenwich Pier for the O2, where you can use the Emirates Air Line Cable Car for a quick journey to ExCeL.
Best Districts to Explore
ExCeL London has more than 20 on-site food and drink vendors, however, that doesn’t mean that you can’t explore further afield as well. Situated in East London, there are plenty of exciting places worth exploring, and with excellent transit options, there’s no excuse for staying in your hotel when the conference ends!
Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf is a vibrant business district that also offers over 200 shops, cafés, bars and restaurants, as well as leisure facilities and an extensive arts and events programme. Find out more at mycanarywharf.com.
How to get there
From ExCeL London, take the DLR to Canning Town and change for Jubilee Line connections to Canary Wharf. Approximately 10 minutes journey time.
St Katharine Docks
Situated near Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, St Katharine Docks is a waterside environment that mixes shops, bars, and restaurants with some of London’s best-known attractions.
How to get there
From ExCeL London, take the DLR direct to Tower Gateway. Approximately 20 minutes journey time.
Greenwich
A World Heritage Site, Greenwich offers a variety of visitor attractions including London’s oldest Royal Park, the National Maritime Museum, and the Royal Observatory. There are also shops, markets, and a variety of pubs and restaurants. Visit greenwichwhs.org.uk for more information.
How to get there
From ExCeL London, take the DLR to Poplar and change for a Lewisham bound train. Disembark at Cutty Sark. Approximately 30 minutes journey time.
The West End
There’s no shortage of entertainment options in London’s theatre district! Visit the Official London Theatre website to discover what productions are in town. Be dazzled by the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus, stroll around Leicester Square and Covent Garden, or go shopping on Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Bond Street. The famous sights of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are also nearby.
How to get there
From Custom House, take the DLR to Canning Town and change for Jubilee Line tube. Disembark at Green Park and walk less than 10 minutes, or switch to the Piccadilly Line for one stop to Piccadilly Circus.
Top Attractions
Where to even start? In the words of acclaimed English writer Samuel Johnson, when you tire of London, you tire of life. Whether you’re interested in shopping, dining, nightlife, history, or culture, you’ll find what you’re looking for in London.
The British Museum
London has some of the world’s most applauded museums and galleries — and most are free to visit. The impressive British Museum, located in the city’s Bloomsburg area, is dedicated to 2 million years of human history and culture. Other must-see museums nearby include the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square — only a 15-minute walk away, or two stops on the Northern Line.
The Tower of London
Discover the grisly history of London, marvel at the Crown Jewels, and explore the extensive armory at this 900-year-old castle on the edge of the River Thames. Learn more at the Official Tower of London website.
Royal Parks
Need a moment to relax ? Lose yourself in one of the city’s many green spaces. Hyde Park is famous for its Speakers’ Corner, where open-air debates still occur, the Serpentine Lake, and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. It shares a border with Kensington Gardens and is a wonderful place to find peace and quiet, or enjoy recreational activities such as boating, cycling, and horse riding.
South Bank
Explore the southern side of the Thames, an entertainment and arts hub home to famous attractions such as the London Eye, Tate Modern Gallery, and many theatres. You’ll also get a great view of London’s many bridges and City of Westminster attractions.
Where to Eat
London is a melting pot of cultures, where you can pick up a Balti curry, fish and chips, pub grub, or a meal from a world-renowned chef on any given evening.
Close to BBWF
Here are the top-rated restaurants within the London ExCeL campus or within a 10 minute walk:
La Barrique Wine Bar, www.labarrique.co.uk $$ Warehouse K, Western Gateway, London E16 1DR
Zero Sette Restaurant, Italian, www.zerosette.co.uk, $$, Unit R3, Warehouse K, 2 Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1DR
Further Afield
Jump on the DLR or tube for quick foray into one of the many nearby dining and entertainment districts.
Jamie’s Italian
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s Italian staple has a relaxed atmosphere while delivering hearty rustic dishes. Unit 17, 2 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5RB. jamiesitalian.com/canary-wharf
Journey time from ExCeL: 10 minutes, nearest tube/DLR is Canary Wharf
Biosdale Canary Wharf
A lively, upmarket restaurant serving traditional British cuisine, with live music and regular jazz evenings. Check out the extensive whisky bar, caviar and oyster bar, and cigar library. Cabot Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 4QT. biosdale.co.uk
Journey time from ExCeL: 10 minutes, nearest tube/DLR is Canary Wharf
Borough Market
London’s oldest market is a must-see for foodies, with artisan cheese, organic produce, meat, cakes and baked goods. 8 Southwark Street, London, SE11TL boroughmarket.org.uk
Journey time from ExCeL: 15 minutes, nearest tube is London Bridge
Where to Drink
The Grapes
Fancy a pint? Now owned by Sir Ian McKellen, this 500-year-old tavern is steeped in history. Serves quick and tasty pub food. 76 Narrow Street, London E14 8BP. thegrapes.co.uk.
Journey time from ExCeL: 15 minutes, nearest DLR is Limehouse
The Narrow, Limehouse
Gordon Ramsay Group’s bar and conservatory offers panoramic views of the river Thames, with cocktails, wine, and beers available alongside British and European dishes. 44 Narrow Street, London E14 8DP. thenarrow.co.uk
Journey time from ExCeL: 15 minutes, nearest DLR is Limehouse
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
Rebuilt after the Great Fire of London in 1666, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a Fleet Street landmark and today is a great place for a pint. 145 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2BU.
Journey time from ExCeL: 30 mins, nearest DLR station is Tower Gateway
Gordon’s Wine Bar
Tucked away from the busy street is what is thought to be London’s oldest wine bar. Don’t forget to pair with some cheese from the bar’s extensive selection! 47 Villiers street, London WC2N 6NE, gordonswinebar.com
Journey time from ExCeL: 25 minutes, nearest tube is Embankment