Huawei, the world’s largest telecommunications equipment maker, has joined the NextGen12 Conference line-up as platinum sponsor and speaker, alongside some of the leading public and private sector broadband industry leaders from across Europe.

The news follows Huawei’s announcement last week that it is to invest £1.3bn in expanding its UK operations in areas such as mobile broadband over five years, creating up to 700 new jobs.

With less than three weeks to go until NextGen12 the recent reshuffle in the UK government has raised the stakes in the debate about the perceived role of broadband in revitalising the economy. Looking to address these issues, NextGen12 is being held in London – right in the heart of the ‘Westminster village’ close to the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Whitehall offices of all the major government ministries.

Marit Hendriks, NextGen12 director, commented: “As the UK's independent focus for next generation broafdband transformation we welcome Huawei on-board. Next generation networks are an essential foundation for economic growth, innovation and easier development. We are tackling issues that face us not only now but also in the future. For example, Dr Peter Cochrane’s keynote speech will be no call for a revival of old industries but a shockingly honest look at the future hurtling towards us – digitally-enabled for sure but also ‘at the cusp of ‘Nano’ and ‘Bio’ technologies’.”

Alongside Huawei, speakers from the Broadband Forum, FTTH Council Europe, House of Lords Select Committee on Communications, the European Commission, the Department for Culture Media and Sport, Ofcom, Prysmian Group, UK Broadband, several city councils and MPs, TalkTalk Group Openreach, Magnet Networks and Virgin Media will be presenting.

During NextGen12 the FTTH Council will be hosting a press conference to exclusively divulge the brand new official ranking of the European and worldwide countries leading the Fibre-to-the-Home/Building penetration.

There will also be a prestigious conference dinner, inside the Palace of Westminster, enlivened by the presentation of the NextGen Challenge awards – celebrating successes and showcasing the best in next generation digital access infrastructure innovation.

“NextGen12 will focus on the essential requirements for making society work in a digital economy. It will be intensive with a strong exhibition for experienced network specialists, putting the pressure for investment in connectivity infrastructure alongside demands for knowledge worker expertise, greater capacity for innovation and community support for public services,” added Hendriks.

Delegates at NextGen12 will hear speakers answer the questions ‘Does the UK have a digital deficit?’ and ‘Will the plans and targets for connectivity infrastructure match the needs of businesses, households and communities?’

For further information about NextGen12 visit http://www.nextgenevents.co.uk.