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W35E	Wednesday, January 23 · 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Last-Mile Wireless Solutions The "last mile" is often referred to as the most difficult segment of the network, where end users struggle to touch today's high-bandwidth networks. This session will explore the latest airborne broadband technologies that provide access over the last mile for varying bandwidths up to 2.5 gigabits. The panel will explore the pros and cons of deploying such technologies versus traditional ground-based wireline access models: Free-space optics—airborne broadband Passive optical networks (PON)—no switching required Bandwidth management—bringing it together on the edge The future of the last mile

CHAIRPERSON: Heinz A. Willebrand, Founder and Chief Technology Officer, LightPointe, is credited with inventing patented fiber-optic WDM technologies for ultra high-speed local-loop access. He was recently awarded a patent that allows for the cost-effective development of an ultra-high bandwidth all-optical network using free-space optics without the need for electro-optical conversion between fiber and free-space optical links. SPEAKERS: Steve Plote, Senior Director, Product Management, Looking Glass, joined the company in December 2000. In his current position, he directs Looking Glass' metro data-transport network-vendor and technology-selection process. Dana Hartgraves, Vice President, Metro-Optix, has more than 17 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Camran Shahidi, Senior Manager, Terawave Communications, is responsible for data services.