New FTTH Group Founded

VANCOUVER -- LBDC FTTH Holdings Inc., the world’s most ambitious FTTH start-up, today announced the formation by it and other FTTH/ Fiber Optic executives of a Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) promotion and trade-organization, 21st Century Infrastructures, 21st CiC. Among the consortium’s objective is to create a platform for FTTH builders, operators and service providers; promote, stimulate and assist them; form partnerships with suppliers, vendors, consultants, engineers, and technology providers; introduce industry players with solution providers, content owners and advanced service providers. The formation of 21st CiC is a response to the existing FTTH Council, an organization that actively lobbies for the monopolist Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs), the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs). The consortium, on the other hand, is committed to the smaller sized FTTH companies. Its goal is to become for the global FTTH industry what the National Cable & Telecommunication Association (NTCA) is for the CATV operators. To stimulate start-up FTTH organizations the consortium offers them free membership. "Being in the FTTH business for almost three years, with no progress of any kind in this brand-new industry, we found it necessary to stir up the FTTH world. With all due respect, to all members of the FTTH Council, we need action, not just empty words and promises. We needed an organization that creates opportunities, not only hopes for it," said Neal S. Lachman, Executive Director of the new consortium, and President/CEO of LBDC FTTH Holdings Inc. Explaining his company’s role in the formation of the consortium, he said: "there is no such thing as competition in the FTTH industry, because it is a new industry. All FTTH operators can coexist, even if there are thousands, just like the CATV industry. There are more than one hundred million homes, to be connected in the US and Canada alone, let aside the (small) businesses. By operating as a trade-organization, with concerted market efforts, 21st CiC members can flex their buying-, brain-, and market powers to bring true broadband services at affordable rates for everyone. That is exactly what we are going to do now onwards." The consortium is organizing an education- and information conference on May 21 and May 22. This "21st Century Infrastructures Conference" is held in Vancouver, Canada. The conference focuses on examining the issues raised in United States Senator Joseph Lieberman’s report: "Broadband: A 21st Century Technology and productivity Strategy". The first day (May 21) is intended for the International Venture Capital, Investment, and Banking Community, who will get a professional in-sight on "the Financial Profits and Economical Benefits of investing in FTTH and FTTD operating companies". The second day is intended for everyone who is interested in FTTH business models, and the kinds of true broadband, interactive and on-demand services. Several executives of 21st CiC's member companies and organizations, Canadian and US government representatives and other invited speakers will give presentations and speeches regarding true-broadband and interactive services, and the FTTH/FTTD infrastructures that will change the way people work, educate, entertain and communicate.21st Century Infrastructures Consortium (21st CiC)