Warrior event was still in everyone’s memory. It is for these reasons among others that STC (UK) rejected the Alcatel‘s suggestion to come with a joint bid, to offer a “European” solution. One of the winning factors has been the Port-Botany cable factory. Such a factory was a strong requirement from OTC (now Telstra) and the Australian Government. Alcatel was the most motivated. Such a factory could expand its influence in the Pacific where the three other players were historically well established in this region, which represents a large part of their market. They saw this factory as a risk for their existing facilities! Only very, very few in 1958! In 1958, I was 20 and I could not technical SubOpticdimension. ‘87 in Versailles came at the right time. show an interest in learning about travel freely to Eastern Europe, or Spain people It is where the Australian teams discovered the fiber optic submarine network! between orand Portugal -- Dictatorships close l’Astrolabe, landed in 1788 behind to discover that our French model, a close cooperation doors. And if it had been possible, I could Captain Cook was already around bearing the Alcatel and FT, exactly what they wanted to esWell… so goes the world! not afford such intra European trips; too British flag. So Botany Bay is now for me the tablish in their country. costly forof an ordinary the I’ll nowMy symbol a dream whichstudent! becomes aAnd reality! thingsorare changed gofriend, for a walk, a swim or asince, bikebut 2 life has was beenfar yetfrom another chapter world’sTasman level of being the run, one thing stays true: When you offer something, enjoying my new high tech hips. Great in this long Anglo-French competition! The technology one of today. the reader -can see between thethe lines if you They look like cable to are award to Alcatel came out as a big surprise to repeater or not genuinely motivated and sincere. Then mechanical couplings. Hope We canincluding be very inside proudAlcatel. of having built was a many, Everybody your offer becomes really attractive they will work flawless for 25 years. and Thatthis powerful network, thetohigh speed naturally global expecting the British win that batopens the route to “Botany Bay.” should do. vehicle the internet. I am convinced tle, andofsuch an expectation was at thatthat time this a significant contribution to a better veryislogical. See you soon. world.There This were bringssopeople to each many closer difficulties and other and helps people to betterAustralia understand misunderstanding between and each other. France, the main one being the French presence Submarcom Consulting in the Pacific area, the worse being the nuclear My friend, I have been asked recently to bomb experiment in Tahiti! The sad Rainbow
Letter to a friend from Jean Devos
My dear Friend, We in this industry are well aware that technolgy is the main factor of the global changes! But the dominant culture today is somewhat reluctant about it. Only very few people believe that the good future “Botany Bay” of human beings depend upon science technology. dominant culture Iand published recently aThe modest novel, whose title is Botany accusing engineers is Bay. the It is scientists, the place inthe Australia where Alcatel of degrading our planet! Theestablished number ofa submarine cable facyoung people keen to become engineers is tory in 1989 as part drastically coming down. This is worrying.of
My Dear Friend
its contract for the
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When I was at the university learning Tasman 2 link. In this physics and electronics same in thebay, 50s, just two 10 where years after the war, wecenturies had the feeling to before the get prepared for the mission of expedition rebuilding French the country, bringing human beings to aof “La Pérouse” made better world. One of two my ships, professsors in La Boussole 1957 was claiming that “electronics will change the world.” We entered the industry full of enthousiasm and we have effectively changed the world! It is my view that despite all the problems today, the world is in much better shape in 2008 than it was
Technology!
Jean Devos
Jean Devos
give a lecture on our activity to a local “university for everyone,” but I was also requested “not to be too technical”; big honour to be perceived, at now 70 , as someone who could give a highly technical paper, but it shows how unpopular is the
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