Keynote Speakers

 Andrew Lord, Optical network research leader, BT, UK.

Andrew leads BT’s optical network research, including optical access, high-speed transmission, SDN and quantum communications. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and chaired OFC in 2015/17. He is an associate editor of JOCN, a senior member of the IEEE and currently leads the EU H2020 ‘Metro-Haul’ project.

Title: “The evolution of optical networks in a 5G world”

Abstract: This talk will describe the impact of 5G on optical networks. Use Cases will be drawn from a wide range of current activities underway within BT, including both our internal 5G-optical joint research and also the EU-funded work within the Metro-Haul project, being led by BT. The scope will address the control layer, drawing from BT’s multiple developing requirements for SDN, including dynamic E2E video networks, fast scheduling of high bandwidth pipes and provision of optical resources for 5G network slices. Regarding the physical layer, future techno-economic requirements for optical transport in the metro network will be discussed.

Gavin Young, Head of Fixed Access Centre of Excellence at Vodafone, UK.

Gavin’s current role is as Head of the Fixed Access Centre of Excellence within Vodafone.  He is responsible within Vodafone Group for the fixed broadband access strategy, architecture and deployment practises across the 17 countries where Vodafone currently has fixed access assets. Gavin was previously Head of Strategy & Planning in Cable & Wireless Worldwide leading a team of architects responsible for the technology architecture and strategy. Prior to that Gavin lead the Access Architecture & Design team at BT. Gavin was a founding director of the Broadband Forum where he was overall Technical Chairman for twelve years. Gavin also serves on the IET Communications Policy Panel, the Ofcom Spectrum Advisory Board (OSAB) and the Broadband Forum’s executive advisory board.

Title: “Future Proofing the Unified Fibre Access Network: Build, Fill, Perform”

Abstract: This talk will overview some of the key areas of FTTH technology that Vodafone is investigating.  It will span a range of architecture, technology and modelling aspects as Vodafone seeks to drive a common, extensible infrastructure that can be used for all service types.

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