A major conference on the effect of the communications revolution on Oxfordshire is being staged next month, writes David Duffy.

The event is being organised by Oxmedianet, a group set up the ensure the county participates fully in the electronic revolution and to help companies to stay in the forefront of the changes.

The group is holding its first public event on September 14 at 333 Banbury Road, Oxford, called Fat Pipes or Fat Hype? which will examine the effects of introducing so-called broadband services, which will allow cable and telecom companies to deliver much more information to homes and businesses. Steve Thompson, senior executive in charge of digital media at Newsquest (Oxfordshire), publishers of the Oxford Mail, said the session, from 5pm to 7.30pm, would focus on the opportunities offered to content developers/producers of the new medium.

Speakers will include Gerard O'Malley, executive producer broadband of BBC On-line, Peter Cowley, director of broadband content for Freeserve and Richard Kilgariff, chief executive officer of iballs tv.

Mr Thompson, who is a member of the steering group, said: "Admission will cost 10 on the door. I would advise everyone to book their place now demand is expected to exceed available places."

The network chairman Bob O'Shea, of Abingdon firm Lindsay Ross International, said "There is now a real opportunity to establish Oxfordshire as a place of media excellence and Oxford to become a place people look to do business with rather than London.

"Essentially, members are about referrals not refusals; cooperation as well as competition."

Event bookings can be made by contacting bookings@oxmedianet.net and more information is available on the network's website www.oxmedianet.net

The Oxfordshire network was set up in March to enhance the opportunities for media companies in the county, as well as providing a link to Government institutions and fostering business to business networking, training and the spread of information among Oxfordshire media companies.

Members of the network include representatives of media firms, publishers, the Oxfordshire Economic Partnership, South East Economic Development Agency, business incubators and local authorities.