FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 18, 2010

Casteel to lead FOLS in 2010

The Fiber Optics LAN Section (FOLS) of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) has elected its slate of officers for 2010. FOLS serves as an educational resource, providing information to users about the benefits of fiber in customer-owned networks. Visit FOLS at www.fols.org to access the organization’s free cost model, register for an upcoming Webinar, or read case histories, fiber FAQs and standards updates.

Rodney Casteel, Manager, Advanced Technology Solutions, CommScope Enterprise Solutions Group, was elected as Section Chair for a third consecutive term. “FOLS is an organization dedicated to educating end users about the benefits of deploying fiber in customer owned, or premises, networks,” said Casteel. “There is continuous need and interest in the programs that we offer and the educational materials that our organization produces. Since FOLS comprises a consortium of companies, we are able to provide vendor neutral, technology based answers to common questions and concerns and are able to help users better understand the types of applications where fiber-based solutions are the right choice.”

Casteel mentioned that interest in the FOLS webinar series in 2009 was high. “We launched a webinar series last year that proved to be very popular. With travel budgets down, people in the industry are seeking other ways to keep up to date with industry trends and practices.” Participants earned a BICSI Continuing Education Credit (CEC) for attending. FOLS is launching its 2010 series in March with a Standards Update.

In addition to Casteel the following other leaders in the fiber optic industry have been elected:

• Vice Chair: Alfred Flores, Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company
• Communication Chair: Sharon Bois, Corning Optical Fiber
• Membership Chair: Robert Reid, Panduit
• Standards Chair: Herb Congdon, Tyco Electronics

Now in its 17th year, FOLS was originally founded to provide information on the use of fiber in the backbone and horizontal portions of premises networks. In addition to serving as a resource for information about optical fiber technology, FOLS also offers a free Premises Cost Model that allows users to compare the installed first costs of different standards-approved architectures. More information on the use of fiber can be found on the FOLS Web site at www.fols.org.

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About the Fiber Optics LAN Section

The Fiber Optics LAN Section focuses on educating end users and influencers about the technical advantages and affordability that optical transmission brings to local area networks and fiber-to-the-desk applications. FOLS members are leading fiber cable, component and electronics companies including, AFL Telecommunications/Noyes Fiber Systems, Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company, CommScope, Corning, Corning Cable Systems, Draka Communications, Fluke Networks, OFS, Ortronics/legrand, Panduit, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, and Tyco Electronics. Visit the FOLS at www.fols.org.

About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. Since 1924, TIA has been enhancing the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment and entertainment.

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.

TIA's Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, Openwave, Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Powerwave Technologies, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.

 

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