LONDON – June 20, 2017 – Xtera®, a provider of innovative subsea fibre optic solutions, announces today that its Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer, Dr. Stuart Barnes, has been selected by the SubOptic Executive Committee to serve as Programme Chair for SubOptic 2019, taking place in New Orleans, April 8-11, 2019.

Prior to each SubOptic conference, a Programme Chair is chosen among notable subsea telecom industry thought-leaders to spearhead development of the event’s central themes and educational agenda.  In this role, Dr. Barnes will be assisted by a number of submarine industry professionals that comprise the Organising Committee, including representatives from conference host Ciena, the SubOptic Association and STF Events, Inc.

“I am honoured to be chosen for this prestigious position during such a pivotal time in our industry,” shares Dr. Barnes.  “I’m excited to begin the process of programme development, having already received an abundance of useful suggestions during our pre-kick-off event at ITW.  With help from the Organising Committee, I am certain that we will make SubOptic 2019 the most successful and memorable SubOptic event to date.”

Following his graduation from Queen Mary University of London with a doctorate in engineering, Dr. Barnes joined Standard Telecommunications Ltd, where he supported the development of STC Submarine Systems’ first Optical Repeater.   Prior to Xtera, Dr. Barnes also served as the Founder and COO of Polariq as well as founder and CTO of both Azea Networks and Ilotron, and held senior management positions at Atlas Venture, Alcatel Recherche, STC Submarine Systems and STC Cables Newport.  Leveraging extensive expertise and practical skills in fibre, cable and transmission equipment, Dr. Barnes joined Xtera in 2007, initially serving as the Chief Technical Officer of Submarine Systems.

Established in 1998 Xtera offers un-repeatered and repeatered subsea connectivity, using the highest bandwidth undersea amplifiers for up to 40 Terabits on a single fibre pair.  The company offers a full range of turnkey services and solutions, including system design, on-shore and off-shore security, landing route and station development, and operational support.

If you are interested in submitting programme topics to be included in the SubOptic 2019 agenda, please email your suggestions info@xtera.com for consideration.

To learn more about Xtera, visit www.xtera.com.

 # # #

Xtera is an innovative provider of sub-sea telecoms solutions. The company supplies both un-repeatered and repeatered systems, using its high performance optical amplifiers to deliver traffic directly inland to cities.  Xtera creates novel solutions that are suited for each individual customer whether that be provision of a full turnkey system, an open architecture design or supply of a particular product or service. We aim to challenge the norm and to provide more reliable and higher quality products over new and existing routes. Xtera is a flexible supplier who works with a variety of partners to create the best solution for each project and every customer. For more information please visit www.xtera.com or contact info@xtera.com.

About SubOptic Association

After thirty years of successful events, SubOptic Association (www.suboptic.org) has reinvented itself to improve and expand the services it provides to the subsea cable industry. In addition to the renowned SubOptic conferences it organizes, the association has widened the scope of its activities and opened membership to all participants in the sector, positioned to become the industry’s global trade association.  The Executive Committee is hard at work to put in place the new constitution and association structure.

Media Contact:

iMiller Public Relations for Xtera

+1 866.307.2510

Xtera@imillerpr.com