To: delmarbill who wrote (33034 ) 6/9/2001 9:54:09 PM From: delmarbill Read Replies (3) | Respond to of 42804 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 .