T-U debuts new Williams fiberoptics lab

Tulsa is quickly becoming a high-tech mecca. In order to keep technology businesses thriving, they must have highly trained employees.<br>The University of Tulsa unveiled a new fiberoptic networking lab

Thursday, January 18th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa is quickly becoming a high-tech mecca. In order to keep technology businesses thriving, they must have highly trained employees.
The University of Tulsa unveiled a new fiberoptic networking lab Wednesday designed to meet that growing demand for technology workers.

Williams Communications and several of its telecom competitors provided services and equipment for the multi-million dollar project, and hope to hire the talented people who come through the program. One executive says Tulsa stands in the middle of the new "Silicon Prairie," and has the opportunity to be come the fiberoptic network capital of the world. But, none of it can happen without highly trained workers. "We can't get just hire anybody,â€ said Williams Communications President Howard Janzen. â€œWe have to get the most talented people we can in order to beat our competition. That's why this is critical, because the source for technically talented people in Tulsa is limited."

The lab will benefit students learning how to design telecommunications networks as well as professional engineers needing hands-on experience with the very latest equipment.