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! through fragile glass fiber lying quietly on the I fully supported their reactions, asked SubOptic ‘87 in Versailles came atbut theIright time. ocean floors. They were glad to learn about them to recognize the fact that there is not It is where the Australian teams discovered the the aspects ofinour Huge suchmodel, a thing aasclose a “Global Government” andvarious l’Astrolabe, landed 1788activity: to discover that (yet?) French cooperation between capacity, diverse ownership, suppliers, fibers, or a “Global Regulator.” I invited them to think Captain Cook was already around bearing the Alcatel and FT, exactly what they wanted to esamplifiers, and marine work and hazards. They about, and perhaps come to the conclusion, British flag. So Botany Bay is now for me the tablish in their country. paid particular attention to the history behind that our situation today is “life,” like flowers at symbol of a dream which becomes a reality! My friend, things are changed since, but this: Graham Bell, the Great Eastern, the gutta spring, when a “plan” could very well produce Tasman 2 has been yet another chapter one thing stays true: When you offer something, percha, the first transatlantic cable, and the a “cold winter.” in this long Anglo-French competition! The the reader can see between the lines if you are message of Queen Victoria to U.S. president awardBuchanan, to Alcatel which came out big surprise or not genuinely motivated and sincere. Then James tookasana hour to cross to many, including inside Alcatel. Everybody was your offer becomes really attractive and this the ocean. naturally expecting the British to win that batopens the route to “Botany Bay.” tle, and expectation was is at that thatthis time What theysuch had an difficulty believing very logical. See you soon. global network is not the result of a “plan” but There were many and the mere result of asogreat dealdifficulties of “regional” Jean Devos is a senior consultant initiatives–a typical French reaction! misunderstanding between Australia and with Submarcom Consulting. He France, the main one being the French presence Submarcom is alsoConsulting one of the founders and a Infrastructure should naturally be a “common in the Pacific area, the worse being the nuclear board member of Axiom, a Paris asset” a “public asset”. HowThe cansad someone based company specialized in bombi.eexperiment in Tahiti! Rainbow
Letter to a friend from Jean Devos
My dear friend I delivered a conference in the framework of my local “Université pour tous”1, and it went quite well. I was proud to show an audience of about 100 people the “système nerveux de la planète, une aventure humaine et technique.” “Botany In othersBay” words, and for the few of you who cannot read French, my subject was the global I published recently a modest novel, whose title network as it is today, highlighting what it is Botany Bay. It is the place in Australia where meant for the many people involved over the Alcatel established a last two centuries.
My Dear Friend
submarine cable factory inskeptical 1989 as part Younger folks today are often aboutof its contract the science and industry. The media speaks offor these 2 link. In this as risky, polluting, and Tasman unethical. I wanted same bay, where two to show them an example of an enthusiastic development, offering thecenturies people working in before the its industry a lot of opportunity, and French passion, expedition rewards. “La Pérouse” made of two ships, La Boussole
That night, most of the attendees, though highly educated and experienced, “discovered” the major role of the undersea fiber optic network. They were stunned to learn that emailed photos of their grandchildren were travelling 42
1 It means: University open to everyone, a polite way to actually say University for third age people.
My Conference
Jean Devos
Jean Devos
think that the “marché,” i.e. the market, will produce an optimized network? The market overinvests on thick route, and under invests in thin route. If a plan had been possible, cables would have been built in Africa years ago, with the money saved in the Atlantic where fewer cables would have been built.
Submarine systems projects study & management. He spent three years developing Tyco’s international capability, and was the head of ASN (Alcatel Submarine Networks). Jean was born in 1938 and is graduated from the Lille University. He is the founder of SubOptic and carries a vast international experience in our field.
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