CONTENTS
Welcome to Optical Connections magazine and our third TOP Conference. The line-up of experts from the telecoms, optics and photonics industries is as impressive as ever, so we hope you will find it useful, productive and above all else, enjoyable. Indeed, there’s a lot to look forward to in 2024, in terms of new technologies and the progress of existing ones. In this issue, we asked some industry experts to give their thoughts on the year ahead, with some interesting results. Read all about it on page 14. In other features, Infinera’s Paul Momtahan asks, “Do you think silicon is the only strategic semiconductor? Think again!” He makes the case for compound semiconductors as a viable alternative. In addition, veteran journalist John Williamson looks at the possibilities of increasing the capacity of fibre optic networks by utilising the C- and L- Bands and discovered mixed opinions, depending which network types were being considered. Also, in this issue’s EPIC Briefing, SEDI-ATI’s CEO Jean-François Vinchant reflects on his career and how the company has developed since he bought it with the help of IDF Capital. Finally, Fujikura Europe’s marketing manager Simon Greenacre discusses how to overcome the problem of splicing as a bottleneck in FTTH rollout. Looking back, one of last year’s highlights was ECOC 2023, which took place in Glasgow, Scotland. The numbers of visitors, exhibitors and speakers were well up on the previous year’s levels and a number of innovative and deserving companies walked away with the ECOC 2023 Expo Industry Awards. However, ECOC is an on-going process and preparations are already well underway for the ECOC 2024 Exhibition, which will be held in Frankfurt, Germany, on 23rd-25th September. In the meantime, welcome to London and the TOP Conference. Have a great time! LOTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2024
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Industry News
10 The Year Ahead Peter Dykes
14 Compound Semiconductors Paul Momtahan
16 C – L- Bands
John Williamson
18 Reducing Splice Speed Simon Greenacre
20 EPIC CEO Interview
Jean-François Vinchant
22 OFC Preview
24 FTTH Council Europe Preview
Peter Dykes Contributing Editor, Optical Connections
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