ISSN No. 1948-3031 PUBLISHER: Wayne Nielsen MANAGING EDITOR: Kevin G. Summers CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Stewart Ash, Dr. Steve Grubb, Doug Madory, Stephen Nielsen, Wayne Nielsen, Kevin G. Summers
[click the arrow below to return to the TOC]
Submarine Telecoms Forum magazine is published bimonthly by Submarine Telecoms Forum, Inc., and is an independent commercial publication, serving as a freely accessible forum for professionals in industries connected with submarine optical fiber technologies and techniques. Submarine Telecoms Forum may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, in whole or in part, without the permission of the publishers.
3
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, 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 at editor@subtelforum.com.
Submarine Telecoms Forum, Inc. 21495 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 201 Sterling, Virginia 20166, USA subtelforum.com Copyright © 2014 Submarine Telecoms Forum, Inc.
W
elcome to Issue 74, our Global Outlook edition.
Does light freeze when it gets too cold? A frigid Polar Vortex held the US east coast in a stranglehold for a few days this month. Single Fahrenheit digits were seen as far south as the Carolinas, and wind chill estimates dropped to -20o in many locales. It was colder in Virginia than Anchorage, Alaska. It was so cold, you could toss a hot cup of coffee in the air and it would freeze before it hit the ground; at least that’s what the local weatherman videoed. The federal government and local businesses kept their employees home; we were told to stay indoors. Being originally from the Midwest, we faced these kinds of extremes on a yearly basis. I remember 70 below zero one cold Michigan week during college. It was so cold we didn’t even cross country ski, not even with schnapps! It reminds me of that scene from the 80s movie, Crocodile Dundee: “That’s not a knife. THAT’s a knife.” In other words, it’s all relative. Heading to Honolulu this year is a little
more exciting given the weather so far this winter season. I must admit that I am looking forward to some warming sun and green instead of the drab browns and greys. I guess I’m even looking forward to seeing a few old faces or two. I suspect my Aussie friends are looking forward to a break in the cooler, milder climate. It’s all relative. So as always, should you be attending PTC 2014, please come by our booth to say hello; and of course, save me a seat at the Mai Tai Bar.