ID :
212398
Wed, 10/12/2011 - 12:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/212398
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Two fibre optic pioneers win NSW award
SYDNEY (AAP) - Oct 12 - Two Sydney businessmen have been recognised for spearheading breakthrough optical fibre technology that is being used in the national broadband network.
Simon Poole and Steve Frisken were named NSW's Entrepreneurs of the Year in the information and communications technology field.
NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner presented them with the annual Pearcey Foundation award at the state Parliament House on Wednesday night.
In 2001, Mr Poole and Mr Frisken founded Engana, which developed wavelength selective switching technology.
Their innovation is now being used in the national broadband network.
Over a few beers, they devised how to set up a tech firm, specialising in directing tiny optical fibre pipes into a dynamic network, using different wavelengths of light.
Their company, now trading as Finisar Australia, employs 350 mainly engineering staff at Waterloo, in inner Sydney.
Accepting their award, Mr Frisken said Australia's distance from the rest of the world inspired them.
"The next time you download from a distant website or make a phone call to anywhere in the world, there's a pretty good chance that that information's been routed to you along the link from Australian-grown technology," he said.
He added the aftermath of the tech bubble was no barrier when they founded their venture a decade ago.
"My good friend Simon and myself made the decision over perhaps a few too many beers to embark on what was for both of us a second start-up together," Mr Frisken said.
"At that point, we were looking down the abyss. The optical communications industry's been decimated globally and in Australia, we suffered a second blow of being vulnerable to the tyranny of distance and corporate retreat.
"I guess it's a lesson of course, that in these situations, that's where the opportunity is."
Mr Stoner used the occasion to announce the NSW government would be setting up an industry taskforce to develop a "digital economy industry action plan".
The nine-member will be chaired by IBM's director of research and development in Australia, Glenn Wightwick.
Simon Poole and Steve Frisken were named NSW's Entrepreneurs of the Year in the information and communications technology field.
NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner presented them with the annual Pearcey Foundation award at the state Parliament House on Wednesday night.
In 2001, Mr Poole and Mr Frisken founded Engana, which developed wavelength selective switching technology.
Their innovation is now being used in the national broadband network.
Over a few beers, they devised how to set up a tech firm, specialising in directing tiny optical fibre pipes into a dynamic network, using different wavelengths of light.
Their company, now trading as Finisar Australia, employs 350 mainly engineering staff at Waterloo, in inner Sydney.
Accepting their award, Mr Frisken said Australia's distance from the rest of the world inspired them.
"The next time you download from a distant website or make a phone call to anywhere in the world, there's a pretty good chance that that information's been routed to you along the link from Australian-grown technology," he said.
He added the aftermath of the tech bubble was no barrier when they founded their venture a decade ago.
"My good friend Simon and myself made the decision over perhaps a few too many beers to embark on what was for both of us a second start-up together," Mr Frisken said.
"At that point, we were looking down the abyss. The optical communications industry's been decimated globally and in Australia, we suffered a second blow of being vulnerable to the tyranny of distance and corporate retreat.
"I guess it's a lesson of course, that in these situations, that's where the opportunity is."
Mr Stoner used the occasion to announce the NSW government would be setting up an industry taskforce to develop a "digital economy industry action plan".
The nine-member will be chaired by IBM's director of research and development in Australia, Glenn Wightwick.
