IEEE 802.16 Session #55

The session was hosted by Jianmin Lu of Huawei, with Corporate Hosts China Mobile, Huawei, ZTE, and CATR. The venue was determined during Session #50 based on a proposal and presentation.

Outcomes
402 people attended the session. For full details of the activities, see the Session #55 Report.

Meeting Schedule
The draft meeting schedule was available in advance. The Opening Plenary started at 1 PM. The Closing Plenary took place on Thursday evening.

Documents
The Session #55 Document Guide includes references to all session documents.

Hotel
The session took place in the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. A block of rooms has been reserved until 15 April 19 April at noon Beijing time for the delegates. After that date, the unused rooms will be released, room reservations will be subject to availability, and the room rate will be considerably higher.

Three types of suites are available (in either smoking or non-smoking):

• US$210 - Royale Suite: one king bed
• US$240 - Bella Suite: two queen beds
• US$400 - Rialto Suite: one king bed

Hotel reservations for 11-16 May 2008 can be booked using the online reservation system at this link, entering the password "Huawei".

If you require additional days outside these dates, please email Venetian Suite Reservations with your requirements and place "Huawei-IEEE Session" in the subject line. A representative will respond with rates and availability.

The hotel requires a first night deposit of suite, service and tax charges, per suite, to guarantee accommodations. All individual deposits will be credited to individual folios. Deposits must be received no later than 14 days after the reservation is made. Deposits will only be refunded when individual suite reservations are cancelled at least 14 days prior to the schedule arrival date.

Registration
The registration fee is US$400 until 15 April 18 April at noon Beijing time and US$450 afterwards. Complete the Session #55 Meeting Registration Form online. You have two credit card options: Visa and MasterCard. AmEx and JCB cards will not be accepted.

Note:

1. Registration requires a browser pop-up, so please ensure that your browser pop-up blocker is off before proceeding.
2. If you have doubts about whether your registration was successful, you can confirm the credit card charge by clicking "Fees" on the Session #55 Meeting Registration Website. Confirming is highly recommended before resubmittal of the form, which could lead to a double charge.
3. If you have successfully registered but did not receive an online payment notification via email, please contact Carp Li to request a payment notification.

Contact Information
Please contact Carp Li if you are experiencing technical difficulties or if you have any other question about the Session.

Wednesday Social Event
Registrants are invited to a social event on the evening of Wednesday 14 May 2008. Details will follow.

Flying in
You can fly to either Hong Kong International Airport (HKG, but sometimes informally called Chek Lap Kok or CLK) or Macao International Airport (MFM).

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

• One of the most convenient hubs in Asia
• TurboJET Sea Express ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao, only 50 minutes to cross the straits
• Bypass Hong Kong Immigration (see also some useful process details [next to last paragraph] and this other article)
• One way fare: 200 HKD (~US$25)
• Reservations are available but not necessary
• Then, take the shuttle or taxi to the Venetian from the dock
• Taxi fee is about 20 MOP (US$2.50)

• Direct flight from: Seoul-Inchon, Singapore, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Bangkok, Clark-Manila, Jakarta, Beijing, Shanghai, etc.
• Free shuttle from the airport to the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel every 20 minutes
• 5-10 minute drive to The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel

Rental Cars
Renting a vehicle in Macao is not necessary due to the small size of Macao and the readily available and inexpensive public transportation system.

Currency
In Macao, you can use either MOP or HKD

• MOP (Macao Pataca), 8 MOP ~ US$1
• HKD (Hong Kong Dollar), 8 HKD ~ US$1

Visa
There are more than 60 visa-exempt countries/territories to Macao, including:

• USA, Canada
• Most European countries
• Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, etc.

If a visa is required, Huawei will provide a visa invitation letter. To request such a letter, complete the invitation letter request form and email it to Ms. Katherine Woo per the instructions on the form. This letter can be attached to a visa request filed with the appropriate embassy or consulate. Note that your invitation letter request form needs to be accompanied by some related documents, including a copy of the passport photograph page and any former Chinese visa records. See the invitation letter request form for full details.

Weather
Macao's climate is warm and humid with a fairly wide variation in temperature over the year. In May, the average high temperature is 28 C (82 F), and the average low temperature is 24 C (75 F). Macao's weather is influenced by tropical cyclones from the South China Sea and North Western Pacific Ocean during the typhoon season between May and September.

Tourist information
Portuguese traders first settled in Macao (sometimes spelled "Macau") in the 16th century and subsequently administered the region until the handover to The People's Republic of China on December 20, 1999. Consequently, Macao provides a unique blend of Portuguese and Chinese culture. Like Hong Kong, Macao benefits from the principle of 'one country, two systems'. The tiny SAR is growing in size - with more buildings on reclaimed land and in the number and diversity of its attractions. For tourist information, please visit the Macao Government Tourist Office.