An earlier mention of Maha Achour..
Free Space Optical Alliance Launches at WCA 2001
WASHINGTON, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The Free-Space Optical (FSO)
Alliance, the advocacy group for the emerging FSO broadband sector, will hold
its first meeting on June 26 in Boston in collaboration with the annual show
of the Wireless Communications Association (WCA), WCA 2001: Broadband Now!
The FSO Alliance was formed in February to unify vendors and service
providers' efforts in addressing the ongoing regulatory, safety, networking
and other issues facing the technology.
"As indicated by over thousands of current worldwide installations s in
this fast-growing sector, FSO systems are no longer deployed as patching links
in campus-like environment," said FSO Alliance Co-Founder Dr. Maha Achour,
Director of Advanced Technology of FSO provider Optical Access of San Diego,
CA. "On the contrary, FSO systems are viable solutions for all manner of
metro-access interconnection using such complementary platforms as fiber,
copper, DSL, LMDS and other fixed wireless technologies."
The alliance focus will be on integration of the technology within
metro/access networks, addressing the sector's public information, government
relations and technological development needs.
"For this organizational meeting of the FSO community," said WCA President
Andrew Kreig, "WCA is proud to continue its tradition of showcasing advanced
broadband technologies that have a fixed wireless component. Of the 13 FSO
Alliance's founding members, 11 are also WCA members."
WCA 2001 will include five separate FSO events -- three panels, a "Meet &
Greet" session for prospective FSO partners and customers, and the alliance's
organization meeting -- thereby allowing FSO providers, financial analysts,
technical experts and customers to provide a comprehensive picture of FSO's
future.
About the Free Space Optics Alliance:
Founded in February, the FSO Alliance is comprised of 13 leading companies
that provide FSO systems and service providers (also known as laserCom). The
Strategis Group and Allied Business Intelligence are among analysts recently
underscoring in research reports the commercial possibilities of FSO. The FSO
Alliance's first meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 26 at Boston's World
Trade Center at WCA 2001: Broadband Now! This meeting is open only to
alliance members. For additional information, contact Dr. Maha Achour (email:
machour@opticalacess.com).
About the Wireless Communications Association:
Founded in 1988, the WCA is the principal non-profit trade association
representing the fixed wireless broadband industry. WCA's mission is to
foster the growth of fixed broadband wireless worldwide, including voice,
data, Internet, e-commerce and video applications. WCA's membership of 470
companies includes the industry's leading carriers, vendors and consultants
from six continents. The WCA's 14th annual business conference and exhibition
WCA 2001: Broadband Now! is scheduled from June 24 to 27 at the World Trade
Center in Boston, MA. Last year's WCA show attracted delegates from 52
nations. The show this year features approximately 200 expert speakers and
the industry's largest exhibit floor, including booths by leading FSO
providers. WCA 2001's opening keynote will be by AT&T Fixed Wireless Services
President Michael Keith, with Alcatel (http://www.alcatel.com ) the show's
Diamond Sponsor. For details and registration, visit: wcai.com . |
