Who We Are
Mission Statement
The purpose of fibeReality, an independent consulting and market intelligence firm, specializing in the telecom, data communications, and consumer optics industry, is the following:
Tenacious
Painstakingly and constantly present hard-hitting and practical insights on changes in the industry without pandering.
Honest
Fearlessly express the most objective views and offer brutally honest advice to our customers.
Trustworthy
Never shill for any company or solution, and abide by the highest ethical standards.
Management
In July, 2014, Mark Lutkowitz and Alka Swanson established fibeReality, LLC, an independent consulting and market research firm specializing in the optics industry. The principals have been intimately involved in the international fiber optic space for a total of over 60 years, establishing an unmatched reputation for very frank assessments in their evaluations of technology and services. For more information on them individually, please see their bios below.
Even if one strives to be as diplomatic as possible, there is sometimes a toll – both emotional and financial – to telling people what they may not want to hear. Over time, the leadership at fibeReality has become accustomed to push-back, and it will not prevent us from doing our work honestly and honorably.
By the same token, if we get something wrong, we want to know about it immediately, so that we can correct the record immediately. We are humbled by the enormity of trust our customers have given us, and we will never cease our painstaking efforts to ensure that we offer the most accurate information possible.
Despite the cutbacks in investment in fiber optics by venture capitalists and other corporations in recent years, the leaders of fibeReality know that there are lucrative niche opportunities being ignored. The greatest potential for solid growth is not with the latest, sexy technology, but with incremental modifications to existing solutions in the marketplace.
Attitude
At fibeReality there is no cheerleading or shilling for any vendor or solution in the marketplace. Unfortunately, in recent times, there has been too much bastardization of the telecom research business with too many firms acting as willing extensions of the public relations departments of the players in the space.
The proof is in the pudding. While it was commonplace in the distant past for high-level executives to purchase studies, it is now frequently PR people who tend to buy reports that are “competitive intelligence” too often in name only. While fibeReality will not hesitate to express any honestly-held, favorable views about companies, we will not promote hype or propaganda.
Methodology
Our focus is on demand-side analysis using primary research. We continually have in-depth conversations with the actual buyers of optical components, full systems, and operator/end-user offerings. We have extensive and long-term contacts including service providers, large enterprises, educational institutions, and governmental entities.
So, if we are focusing on chips, modules, etc. we concentrate on talking to the complete system folks. For the system integrators, we will chat with the network providers, etc. For operator products, we will be in contact with corporate customers, etc.