Q&A: Peter Charissé, ANGA COM

ANGA COM managing director Peter Charissé talks to Digital TV Europe about the highlights of this year’s show. 

Why has ANGA COM chosen “Where Broadband meets Content” as its overall theme this year?

“Where Broadband meets Content” perfectly expresses what makes ANGA COM so specific: the close combination of broadband and media. It is the place where network operators, technology vendors and content providers meet at the same time. There is no other show in Europe that brings together all three groups.

The opening panel will talk about broadband and media under disruption. How much disruption do traditional TV and broadband distribution face and where is it coming from?

In the media business disruption is driven by video-on-demand offerings like Amazon Prime and Netflix as well by more and more linear TV platforms. In the broadband sector we are talking about WhatsApp and other communication apps.

 What other key themes will the congress address?

ANGA COM’s congress agenda lists a total of 27 expert panels. Highlight of the international congress track with 14 panels in English is the International Television & Broadband Summit with high-level speakers from Arris, Cisco, Huawei, Liberty Global, Rogers Communications and Vodafone Germany. Media topics of the congress agenda include the keywords AppTV and OTT, HD and UHDTV, DVB-T2, Virtual Reality, Big Data, Personalised TV and copyright. The broadband panels focus on gigabit networks, new cooperation models, DOCSIS 3.1, WiFi, Internet of Things, Smart Home and Smart City. As in the previous year, the third day is designed as the “Broadband Day” with free access for all visitors upon prior online registration. On this Thursday, the agenda focuses on infrastructure topics and equally addresses cable and fibre network operators.

How is the change of venue to the new exhibition halls and congress centre in KoelnMesse being received and what will this add to the event?

2017 is a very special year for ANGA COM: With the relocation two new exhibition halls and the modern Congress Centre North we will reach a completely new level regarding appearance, convenience and logistics. The relocation is linked with a wide-ranging modernisation initiative that stands for a further, if not the greatest, milestone in ANGA COM’s success story. With that, we will provide an even more brilliant framework for our innovative industry. Our customers can expect two modern, spacious halls with daylight. The feedback of our exhibitors to the new concept is fantastic; many of them have increased their stand space. Already now, more than 430 exhibitors have registered and the booked floor space exceeds 2016. Another new feature is an open air plaza between the halls which we will develop to a feel-good area with food trucks and lots of greenery. 

What mix of attendees and exhibitors do you expect at the event this year?

ANGA COM is a hundred per cent B2B show with a strong international focus. With a 52 percent share of international visitors we provide a broadband and audiovisual media focused market place all over Europe. Just to name a few, especially prominent names: Cisco, Huawei, Nokia, Arris, Appear TV, AVM, Unitymedia, Astra, Eutelsat, Media Broadcast and the Deutsche Telekom have already booked their stands.