Since the early 90's we have been witnessing the convergence of telecommunications, data 
networking and broadcasting. The coming together is becoming more and more important as 
can be seen by the multitude of services provided over digital networks, ranging from 
information retrieval and multimedia data, to telephony. The communications technologies 
(cable, satellite, data networks) are being harnessed for the provision of a wide range of 
interactive services as opposed to the specialised provision of earlier decades. For example, 
digital TV will not only be used for programme distribution but also increasingly for teaching 
and learning, commerce and general entertainment, such as Video on Demand. Telcos, like 
BT, are looking to re-focus their business from pure telephony to a generic information service 
provider. 

This convergence of telecommunications, data networking and broadcasting has very 
important implications for globalisation in the businesses (as can be seen by recent mergers 
e.g. Warner and AOL). It also has a major impact in everyday's life from shopping and 
entertainment to education. 

PostGraduate Networking 2000 

PGNet 2000 is an initiative, sponsored by the EPSRC and supported by key industrial and 
academic players in the fields of telecommunications, data networking and broadcasting, for 
the creation of a forum for UK based postgraduate students in these fields, to enable the 
exchange of ideas and experiences. The gathering, which is intended to become an annual 
fixture, includes conference presentations and workshops. This will provide the much needed 
training and preparation for the future. PGNet 2000 will also be attended by well known 
researchers, industrialists and broadcasters in these areas and therefore will provide the crucial 
feedback mechanisms required in the development of the research and the young researchers. 
An important benefit that would accrue out of such a gathering is the cross fertilisation 
between the different disciplines and mix of experiences and interests and will lead to the 
development of a network of people. 

The participation of postgraduate students in forums of this type is a vital activity in the 
development of the UK research base. The exchange between young researchers and leading 
experts should provide an exciting and stimulating environment for the development of quality 
research. It is also an opportunity for postgraduate students to build industrial contacts and 
forge future partnerships and collaborative work. 

Announcement and Call for Papers 

1st Annual PostGraduate Symposium on the Convergence of 
Telecommunications, Networking and Broadcasting 

Liverpool 19-20 June 2000 

Sponsored by the EPSRC 
in co-operation with 
BT, HP Labs, the ITC, and Philips Labs. 

The First Annual Network Symposium is organised by the School of 
Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University 
and is sponsored by the EPSRC. It follows on from earlier events at Bangor 
and Manchester Metropolitan Universities. The symposium is intended as a 
forum for PostGraduate students to present their work, alongside guest 
speakers. We invite authors to submit papers addressing advances in 
technological issues associated with, but not limited to, the following areas: 

? Network Architectures 
? Broadcasting Technology 
? Mobile Networks 
? Communication Protocols 
? Modelling and Simulation of Broadband Networks 
? Network Interconnectivity/Internetworking 
? Compression Techniques 
? Encryption and Encoding 
? Multimedia Content 
? Information Theory and Coding 
? Operating System Support 
? Resource Allocation Techniques 
? System Prototypes 

? Voice over IP 
? Interactive TV 
? Video on Demand Systems 
? Digital TV 
? WWW Development Tools 
? Security Issues 
? Network Management 
? Traffic Modelling and Characterisation 
? Multimedia Synchronisation 
? Multiwavelength Optical Networks 
? Integration of Fibre, Copper and Wireless 
Networks 
? Photonic Network 

Accepted papers will be included in the proceedings, which will be available to all participants. Electronic 
submission of camera ready papers, in Word, Postscript or PDF format, which should not exceed 6 sides of A4, 
should be sent to pgnet@livjm.ac.uk . Alternatively, hard copy submissions (1 camera ready copy of each paper, 
with a 2 cm border) can be addressed to: Mrs Carol Oliver, School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, 
Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF. 

Deadline for submission: Friday 28 April 2000 
Notification of acceptance: Friday 26 May 2000 

Costs: The cost for participants, including a copy of the proceedings, lunch, refreshments and conference dinner 
is 100. Accommodation is not included but halls of residence or other appropriate accommodation will be 
circulated with notification of acceptance. 

Informal Enquiries: 
By email: pgnet@livjm.ac.uk or contact Mrs Carol Oliver (0151 231 2279), Dr Madjid Merabti (0151 231 2284) 
Dr Rubem Pereira (0151- 231 2103) 
Or visit the Symposium Web Site at http://www.cms.livjm.ac.uk/pgnet/