It is a privilege and honor to welcome you to the Fall 2012 edition of VTC, an event that has become over the years a veritable institution in the wireless communication landscape.

VTC conferences are a tradition that, mirroring the wireless industry, have come a long way since the first edition, held in Detroit in 1950. As is the case for many of you, we have firsthand experience of the evolution of VTC over the last 14 years, going back to the 1998 edition held in Ottawa. That was the last year before the conference went semiannual and we had a remarkable attendance of 1111 delegates. The next year had both a Spring (Houston) and a Fall (Amsterdam) edition with VTC 1999 Fall also marking the 50th VTC edition milestone. That year also saw the birth of a tradition which consists in alternating (more or less) between global and North American locations.

This time, it is Québec City’s turn to welcome VTC delegates from all parts of the world, and what a unique destination it is. Nestled atop dramatic cliffs overlooking a narrow passage of the Saint-Lawrence river, Quebec boasts a richness of history, architecture, culture and fine cuisine unparalleled in North America. It is our sincere hope that sampling Québec's culture, history, attractions, and great food will complement nicely the conference's technical content for all delegates. After all, the social side of such conferences, where lifelong friendships and collaborations are formed, should not be overlooked.

Finally, it is fitting to express here our deepest appreciation for the commitment and hard work of all who are involved in making this conference a success, including the VTS board, the organizing and technical program committees, and the sponsors. A special tip of the hat goes to the technical program committee chairs Fabrice Labeau, Jean-Yves Chouinard, and Alex Stéphenne.

We look forward to welcoming you in person in Québec and sincerely hope that you will thoroughly enjoy both the social and technical sides of the conference.