Join FOLS

The Fiber Optics LAN Section is a committee of the Telecommunications Industry Association. It is a consortium of leading fiber optic cable, component and electronics manufacturers that focuses on educating end users and design consultants about the technical advantages and affordability that optical transmission can bring to customer-owned networks and fiber-to-the-desk applications.

All companies that are members of TIA are welcome to join FOLS and to attend meetings. If your company would like to participate in Section activities and benefit from the Group's marketing outreach, we ask that you contribute a marketing assessment to help fund the Section's communications outreach.

In 2008 FOLS introduced a new way for companies that are not TIA members to participate in FOLS -- the Affiliate membership. Please note that the benefits correspond with the participation levels listed below, but that the fees are slightly different.

Participation Levels

Full Participant

$5,000 contribution for TIA members; $6,000 for Affiliate members.

Benefits of FULL FOLS Marketing Participation:

• Section spokesperson status at media events/interviews scheduled by FOLS.
• Speaker placement at industry trade shows and conferences. FOLS is often approched by conference managers for speaking opportunities.
• Opportunity to author bylined article in trade and business publications. FOLS is frequently invited to contribute articles or present points of view on hot topics.
• Full Participants can sponsor one (1) FOLS Web conferences at no extra cost. FOLS Web conferences are well promoted in the industry and generally result in more than 100 user registrations. Leading a Web conference is an excellent way to promote the expertise of a company in a specific area. Sponsoring companies receive registration information of attendees. Web conferences will be promoted through the distribution of press releases, on www.tiaonline.org and www.fols.org, in the FOLS newsletter, by promotional emails and through partnering associations.
• BICSI liaison opportunities. In 2006, BICSI and TIA signed a friendship agreement which has set the groundwork for a more cooperative working arrangement between the two associations.
• Full Participants can post up to three (3) White Papers in the members section of www.fols.org at no extra cost.. The White Papers will be promoted by news release and through our e-newsletter and will be highlighted on www.tiaonline.org and www.fols.org.
• Opportunity to contribute "Ask the Expert" columns on fols.org and establish your company as an expert in that topic area.
• Logo of your company as a clickable link on home page of www.fols.org.
• Opportunity to post company press releases on Member News section of www.fols.org. Member News is consistently one of the most viewed portions of our Web site ensuring more visibility for your product announcements.
• Company named featured on FOLS marketing materials including Web site, e-newsletter, press releases, FOLS business cards, brochures and submitted articles.
• Identified as a Full Participant on the Premises Cost Model and all supporting materials. The Cost Model has been downloaded by more than 4,000 users.
• Opportunity to determine how FOLS marketing resources are spent.
• Opportunity to influence market perceptions of the deployment of fiber in premises applications by working with industry leaders to educate end users and designers, influence the development of standards, and leverage the resources of TIA to help create market opportunities worldwide.

Sponsoring Participant

$2,500 for TIA members, $3,500 for Affiliate members.

Benefits of Sponsoring FOLS membership:

• Webconference sponsorship: Sponsoring participants have the opportunity to sponsor FOLS webinars for a cost $1,000 per conference. Web conferences will be promoted through the distribution of press releases, on www.tiaonline.org and www.fols.org, in the FOLS newsleteer, by promotional emails and through partnering associations.
• White Papers: Sponsoring participants can post White Papers in the Members Section of www.fols.org at a cost of $250 per White Paper. The White Papers will be promoted by news release and through our e-newsletter.
• Opportunity for speaker placement at industry trade shows and conferences - FOLS is often approached by conference managers for speaking opportunities as our organization is viewed as an industry resource.
• Opportunity to contribute bylined article with trade publications. FOLS is frequently asked to contribute articles to magazines or to present a point of n excellent way to promote the expertise of a company in a specific area.
• Opportunity to post company press releases in the "Member News" section to ensure more visibility for your announcements.
• BICSI Liaison opportunities, BICSI and TIA signed a friendship agreement which enables FOLS members to have a more active role working with BICSI.
• Opportunity to contribute "Ask the Expert" columns on fols.org. This section enjoys high readership on the Web site and offers you an opportunity to position your company as an expert.
• Company named featured on www.fols.org home page with a link to the member Web site.
• Opportunity to post member press releases on www.fols.org. Member News consistently is one of the most viewed portions of our Web site, ensuring more visibility for your product announcements.
• Company name featured on marketing materials such as press releases, FOLS business cards, Cost Model, brochures, etc.
• Identified as a Sponsoring Participant on the Premises Cost Model and all supporting & promotional materials. The Cost Model has been downloaded by more than 4,000 users.
• Opportunity to determine how marketing resources are spent.
• Opportunity to influence market perception of the deployment of fiber in premises applications by working with industry leaders to educate end users and designers, influence the development of standards and leverage the resources of TIA to help create market opportunities worldwide.

Application

To become a member of the FOLS, please submit the electronic application for immediate consideration (you will receive instant confirmation via email).