Harry Carr, chairman and chief executive officer of Tellium (NASDAQ: TELM), provider of an in-service intelligent core optical switch, delivered the afternoon keynote speech at the 17th annual National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (NFOEC 2001) in Baltimore, Md.
In his keynote, "Core Illusions: Time for a Reality Check," Carr examined what he described as the illusions and realities of some of the most important issues facing carriers as they incorporate new optical networking technologies into their networks. These issues include the differences between the core and the edge of the new public network, transparent switches vs. transparent networks and the near term realities of true multi-vendor interoperability. Carr also discussed compelling business reasons why carriers should move from ring to mesh architectures that will simplify networks and eliminate costly redundancy.
Carr said that as the telecom industry emerges from what he called "challenging times" carriers must embrace new business models that can sustain them successfully in the future. "I challenge you (carriers) to hold the equipment provider community accountable for your success. Interoperability between vendors can become a reality if you mandate it," he said. To the vendor community, Carr advised them to stop creating fear, uncertainty and doubt in the marketplace. "Let's truly help carriers meet their business goals. Stop attempting to confuse them and instead recognize that true interoperability, achieved through business and operational flexibility, is in our customers' best interest. Vendors must learn to focus, to be nimble when responding to carriers' needs and to embrace our industry's emerging standards."
Harry Carr became chairman and CEO of Tellium, in January, 2000. Previously, Carr served as COO and later president of Lucent Technologies' Broadband Carrier Networks Unit, from 1998 to 2000, where he oversaw the company's service provider-focused data switching systems. Before joining Lucent, he served as president, COO, and director of Yurie Systems, Inc., a network equipment provider, until the company was acquired by Lucent in 1998.
About Tellium:
Tellium delivers high-speed, high-capacity, intelligent core optical solutions. For more information, visit www.tellium.com.