In times of fierce price competition, higher upstream demands, and regulatory pressure for local loop unbundling, carriers are challenged to consolidate their metro networks and rethink their access strategies. Converged access and backhaul for residential and business services, fewer active components in the access network, the elimination of local exchanges, and the reduction of power and space consumption are critical objectives to secure long-term profitable service delivery. This session will explore the benefits of various FTTx concepts and the value of WDM in the access and backhaul part of the network.

Mark Lum Independent Industry Analyst

Mr. Lum is an independent consultant, focusing on optical, metro, carrier Ethernet, and storage networks and services, with experience spanning SDH/SONET, WDM/OTN, ATM, and carrier Ethernet technologies and their associated global standards developments. His clients include service providers, equipment manufacturers, start-ups, and the investment community. Mr. Lum developed his experience and expertise at Tektronix as a telecom/TV market development manager, at Nortel Networks as a portfolio solutions manager dealing with next-generation optical metro networks, and at RHK as a program director for European optical network research and analysis.

Simon Fisher Head of Network Fibre Strategy BT Openreach

Mr. Fisher is responsible for establishing the case the fiber as part of Openreach's New Generation Access Network. Prior to this he worked within BT Exact Technologies. Mr. Fisher was responsible for a unit specializing in the design, evaluation, and implementation of access fiber systems. He initially worked in the design and manufacture of data transmission and multiplexer equipment before joining BT Laboratories Access Transport Engineering Centre in 1989. Mr. Fisher graduated from Liverpool University with a degree in electronics engineering in 1986 and has since gone on to complete the BT M.Sc. from London University.

Andreas Gladisch Head of Project Unit, Next-Generation Broadband Networks T-Systems Enterprise Services

Mr. Gladisch joined the Research Institute of Deutsche Telekom in 1991. Since 2007 he has been head of the Next-Generation Broadband Networks unit of T-Systems ES. He is a project manager dealing with the migration of Deutsche Telekom’s transport network, especially the migration of SDH and WDM.

Dr. Stephan Neidlinger Director, Global Business Development ADVA Optical Networking

Dr. Neidlinger plays a key role in the development of the company’s innovative Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) portfolio. He is responsible for liaising with customers and partners on WDM solutions, effectively positioning ADVA Optical Networking's products in the marketplace, expanding the company’s customer base and developing its position as an industry leader. Prior to this Dr. Neidlinger worked for more than 16 years at Siemens Networks where he held a number of research, development and business and product line management positions. He earned a master’s degree and doctorate in Electrical Engineering from the Technical University of Munich, Germany.

Chinyelu Onwurah Head of Telecoms Technology Ofcom