The Working Group is open to all Internet2 members interested in multimedia applications. Current projects include DVTS, Interactive HD, streaming applications at all bandwidths from PocketPC to high definition, and multicast technologies. This session includes several demonstrations of applications, and new project ideas are welcome.

The second part of the meeting is titled: Comcast: Strengthening the Backbone

In this session, Tara Maitra, Comcast's senior director of VOD, Programming Investments Division, will compare public Internet VOD with Internet2 VOD. She will explain how Comcast is deploying these services across its backbone and what this means for their network. She will also discuss how an effective search tool will be implemented. Join us for this informative session that demonstrates how commercial organizations are resolving these issues and what research and academic communities can learn from these efforts.

In January 2005, Comcast, the nation's top broadband provider, announced it would upgrade its residential speed tiers as it prepares to introduce a full suite of innovative online services and products. The enhancements include increases in both upstream and downstream speeds and will be offered to customers at no additional charge. One of the new services is a Video on Demand (VOD) collection. Comcast expects to have more than 10,000 programs available by 2006.