SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 By Stephen Hardy -- Ian Williams, design specialist II within the access technologies and outside plant support team at Canadian carrier TELUS Corp., received the 2009 FTTXcellence Award today at the FTTH Conference in Houston, TX. The FTTXcellence Award, co-sponsored annually by Corning Inc. and Lightwave, recognizes an individual or organization who has significantly advanced the deployment of optical technology in North American access networks.
Williams is the sixth recipient of the FTTXcellence Award and the first from outside of the United States.
Terry Drummond, manager, access technologies and outside plant support (ATOPS) technology strategy - wireline access at TELUS, nominated Williams for his role in the carrier’s deployment of a GPON-based fiber to the home (FTTH) network.
“Since his involvement in TELUS' GPON program began several years ago, Ian has worked tirelessly as a champion of the GPON technology rollout at TELUS,” Drummond wrote to support his nomination of Williams. “Acting in the capacity of a key communicator, leader, trainer, and mentor for literally hundreds of TELUS team members across Canada who are involved in GPON, Ian leverages his 29 years of experience in outside plant and fibre-optics technologies as he promotes his vision for fibre-to-the-home technology within TELUS.”
The TELUS footprint includes many areas where environmental issues -- including temperatures that have ranged as high as 110 degrees Farenheit in British Columbia and as low as -59 degrees in Alberta -- made fiber deployment an extremely challenging task.
“Ian has leveraged innovative technologies that improve GPON deployment speed and provide superior reliability at an affordable cost in his selection of GPON access components,” Drummond added. “Ultimately Ian developed high-value GPON access solutions applicable in the broad diversity of existing access structure and rigorous climatic conditions in TELUS' Canadian ILEC territory.”
Mike Genovese, senior vice president and managing director, Americas commercial, at Corning Cable Systems, made the award announcement during the general session at the FTTH Conference. Stephen Hardy, editorial director and associate publisher, represented Lightwave at the ceremony. Williams received a Steuben glass sculpture entitled “Innovation” in recognition of his achievement. In addition, a $5,000 donation was made in his name to One Economy Corp., a global nonprofit organization that helps deliver the benefits of broadband technology and information to low-income people.