Honoring Nokia’s ADSL breakthrough that kickstarted the broadband evolution
This event is the honoring by the prestigious Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Milestone Award event on 4 September 2025, at Nokia in Antwerp.
The IEEE Milestone Award recognizes technological innovation and excellence, honoring achievements that have had a profound impact on humanity. To be considered, milestones must demonstrate at least 25 years of proven relevance and influence.
The event will honor Nokia for its introduction of ADSL in the 1990s, a breakthrough innovation that marked the beginning of the broadband era for over 1 billion people. Nokia's continued innovation has been instrumental in shaping the modern broadband landscape.
During the event, representatives of the IEEE, academia and Nokia, will share the fascinating story behind what was originally a two-person idea and ultimately transformed an industry and created today's modern broadband.
Participants will also have the chance to network and socialize with fellow attendees, view a collection of ADSL artifacts and memorabilia, and celebrate this milestone achievement during the cocktail reception.
Bjorn Capens (CSO Nokia Bell) Geert Heyninck (VP & GM Broadband Networks at Nokia)The IEEE Milestone ADSL committee
Co-sponsored by: NOKIA
Agenda:
13:30 Join your colleagues with a coffee
13:45 Birth of Broadband moderated by VRT-journalist Tim Verheyden
IEEE in the Benelux Martin Bastiaans, Emeritus Professor at TU Eindhoven
The Story of ADSL: from Research Idea to $1B Mark Martin De Prycker, Director of Boards, former CTO at Alcatel, Bart Van Looy, Professor at KU Leuven
How Copper Carried the Future: the DSL Technology Journey Paul Spruyt, Broadband Technology Strategist at Nokia, Michael Peeters, VP R&D Connected Computing at IMEC
Belgian Innovation Delivered: the Path to 1st Mio Users in USA John Shelnutt, CEO of Fortress Solutions, former VP of Sales at Alcatel
15:15 Break
15:30 Broadband for Society moderated by VRT-journalist Tim Verheyden
A Day without the Internet Jan Rabaey, Emeritus Professor at UC Berkeley
From Copper to Fiber in 30 Years Geert Heyninck, VP & GM Broadband Networks at Nokia
IEEE Milestones and ADSL Kathleen Kramer, IEEE President
16:15 Inauguration of plaque in Nokia lobby Kathleen Kramer, Bjorn Capens (CSO Nokia Bell), Geert Heyninck
16:30 Reception
18:00 End
Nokia Antwerp, Copernicuslaan 50, Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium, 2018
This event has passed.
