Scientist seeks broader access to fiber optics

Article Abstract:

IBM researcher Paul Green Jr hopes to develop fiber optic networks that allow consumers to send all sorts of documents and data at astoundingly cheap rates. Green's 'Rainbow' project would dispense with the need for the big computers, called switches, that telephone companies currently use to run their fiber-optic networks. Like a light-driven radio network, each phone user would broadcast in one 'channel' of the light spectrum; the message would then be received by an 'optical tuner' that would search the spectrum for the correct channel. A political battle is shaping up, though, for Green's new network would dislodge phone companies from their control of switches. Green, IBM's manager of advanced optical networking, also wants phone companies to open up their unused capacity, or 'dark fiber.' The phone companies, meanwhile, are fighting a government order to open up their dark fiber.

Research, Fiber optic networks, Fiber optics, Future Technologies, Industry-Sponsored Research, Green, Paul Jr.

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Fate seemed to have a Gerstner in mind for top job at IBM; Richard was on the fast track, fell ill, saw brother score; rooting from the sidelines

Article Abstract:

IBM CEO Louis Gerstner's older brother, Richard Gerstner, was once a contender for the position his younger brother now holds, but had to step down from his position at IBM because of lyme disease. While the younger Gerstner has yet to seek advice from his brother, the older Gerstner does not feel bitter because he knows that such a relationship would inevitably be viewed by the public as a case of nepotism. To boot, as an IBM veteran, the older Gerstner is also suspect of being among the group responsible for wrecking the company. The older Gerstner began working for IBM immediately after graduating from college, and had once headed IBM's Asia operations and then the company's personal computer unit. The older Gerstner, now recovered from his illness, is seeking out opportunities to head a small high-tech company.

Planning, Business planning, Executive, Human Factors, Gerstner, Richard T.

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