FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 28, 2011

Rodney Casteel Elected Chair of Fiber Optics LAN Section for 2011

The Fiber Optics LAN Section (FOLS) of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) has elected its slate of officers for 2011. 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 or standards updates.

 

Rodney Casteel, Technical Manager, CommScope Enterprise Solutions Group, was elected as Section Chair for a fourth 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 participation in FOLS continues to grow. “We have two companies that rejoined the Section, 3M and Superior Essex, and one company that recently joined – Leviton. Interest in the FOLS is strong because the need for fiber in the enterprise is being driven by the ever-increasing bandwidth requirements of organizations. More people want to learn about the benefits of fiber and our organization provides that information.”

 

One of the Fiber Optics LAN Section’s most popular programs is its webinar series. “We offer webinars almost every month,” explained Casteel. “It’s a great way for our members to offer training to interested people worldwide and for network designers, consultants and end users to get the information they need sitting in their office.” Participants earn a BICSI Continuing Education Credit (CEC) for attending. The webinars are also available to watch on demand.

 

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

Communications Chairs: Michelle Collier, AFL/Noyesand Dave Cunningham, Corning

Membership Chair: Tony Irujo, OFS

Standards Chair: Herb Congdon, TE Connectivity

Now in its 18th 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, Data Centers and fiber-to-the-desk applications. FOLS members are leading fiber cable, component and electronics companies including, 3M, AFL/Noyes, Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company, CommScope, Corning, Draka Communications, Fluke Networks, OFS, Ortronics/legrand, Leviton, Panduit, Superior Essex, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, and TE Connectivity. Visit the FOLS at www.fols.org.

 

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