Today’s discussion on PC and mobile services, hosted by Microsoft Corp., will focus on consumer demand for online services. The discussion particularly will cover how service providers can deliver innovative services that go beyond simple broadband and mobile access, such as photo sharing and unified messaging.

“For consumers today, the Internet is a critical tool for communication and information,” said John Schluter, director for the communications sector at Microsoft and the session’s host. Schluter has more than 16 years of expertise in the network operator channel and consumer services industry. “Keeping up with the consumer demand for features and functionality is a key challenge for service providers.”

Schulter also will focus on current market trends and ways service providers can stay ahead of the curve; he’ll also talk about how operators can improve the consumer experience with enhanced services. With a wealth of application options out there, from video IM to blogging to mobile online party planning, opera-tors can really differentiate themselves.

Microsoft Corp. www.microsoft.com