The below column is by Jim Hayes, president of The Fiber Optic Association, an industry veteran, author and founder of the FOA, which he describes "as the biggest little professional society you never heard of," with more than 200 schools in 40 countries around the world that trained and certify technicians in fiber optics. Here, he spells out his vision for the telecom industry. As president of a fiber optics organization, you'd expect me to come out with a strong compelling argument as to why fiber optics is the ultimate solution. And yes, I do believe that optical fiber has long been and will continue to be the "rock" that society needs, but unlike some people who insist that it must be the solution, I also believe that copper cable and, increasingly, wireless technology, will also thrive in their niches. So, hang with me as I recall how I came to be where I am today, not for a grizzled veteran's long-ago memories but to better understand that any one major advance needs to be seen in light of a field that will always continue to advance.
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