ISSN 1948-3031 Submarine Telecoms Forum is published bimonthly by WFN Strategies. The publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, in whole or in part, without the permission of the publishers. S u b m a r i n e Te l e c o m s F o r u m i s a n independent comm ercial publication, serving as a freely accessible forum for professionals in industries connected with submarine optical fibre technologies and techniques. Liability: while every care is taken in preparation of this publication, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information herein, or any errors which may occur in advertising or editorial content, or any consequence arising from any errors or omissions. The publisher cannot be held responsible for any views expressed by contributors, and the editor reserves the right to edit any advertising or editorial material submitted for publication. Contributions are welcomed. Please forward to the Managing Editor: PUBLISHER Wayne Nielsen Tel: +[1] 703 444 2527 Email: wnielsen@subtelforum.com EDITOR Kevin G. Summers Tel: +[1] 703 468 0554 Email: editor@subtelforum.com 2
Copyright © 2011 WFN Strategies
W
elcome to the 10th anniversary issue of SubTel Forum!
When Ted and I established our little magazine in 2001, our hope was to get enough interest to keep it going for a while. To say we started on a shoestring would be an over estimate; it was more like a few pieces of twine from the shed that we tied together. As you may know, tin is the traditional material for the 10th wedding anniversary, and I guess, in a weird way, we have been wedded to this industry since 2001. A funny, tangential thought came to me about how, as a kid, we would make a tin can phone to talk to one another. We could talk, literally, from room-to-room, or even around a corner! I suspect Robert Hooke’s 17th century device has been lost to the newer generations, so for those more inventive the directions are: Take two metal cans and cut off one end on each. Be sure not to leave any sharp edges! If there are some, you can cover the rim with electrical tape. Make a small hole in the bottom of each can. Now take a long piece of string. Thread the string through the hole in each can, and tie a knot in each end so it can’t pull back through the hole. Now get two kids to hold the cans so that the string is taut. As one speaks into a can, the other listens in the other can. You’ll be surprised at how well this works.
Today, the twine may be gone, but we still keep things on a small basis, just a few of us, and we like it that way. We believe we possess an intimacy with our readers and supporters that slick media can’t, yet we are regularly amazed by the quality of interest in what we do. With 2012 beginning soon, our 11th year, we have a few enhancements to the SubTel Forum brand which we will be rolling out during the course of the year, and which we believe will further enhance your utility and enjoyment. We will do so with two key founding principles always in mind, which annually I reaffirm to you, our readers:
That we will provide a wide range of ideas and issues;
That we will seek to incite, entertain and provoke in a positive manner.
So here’s to you, our readers and supporters. Happy Anniversary and thank you as always for honoring us with your interest.