Richard Jones is a strategic consultant who has led cutting edge projects including the business case plus rollout strategy for the biggest 4G network in EMEA, the world's first 1 Gbps everywhere FTTH incumbent network and a mini-NBN. The consultancy he co-founded has also bootstrapped its own successful operator in the highly competitive Swedish market – serving 155,000 subscribers (mainly FTTH) and ranked number 4 in the world for broadband service value prior to a sale to TeliaSonera. He is now taking the open access network management elements of the operation global – delivering what is believed to be the first Gigabit services for subscribers in the whole of Africa. He is Chairman of the Smart Cities - Operations and Applications Committee for the FTTH Council MENA. Richard has led under-fire teams across four continents – managing or turning around major technology programs and operations.  He has worked in technology consulting and start-ups for more than 25 years - including designing new businesses for BT and building a number of new operations from scratch.  He has created/helped a number of start-ups achieve returns of up to 75 times for shareholders with one that is on Nasdaq post-acquisition.