Light Reading, the world's leading online publication for the telecom industry, and its prestigious market research division, Heavy Reading, have assembled an unrivaled team of market analysts, Tier 1 service providers, and prominent equipment suppliers to explore critical issues facing the optical networking industry at Optical Expo 2006.

Optical Expo 2006, being held at the Westin Galleria Dallas Hotel in Dallas on September 19 and 20, will also provide a showcase for the latest optical networking technologies and solutions. With the combined conference and exhibition, the Expo promises to be the most innovative and informative optical event of the year.

Optical Expo 2006 also boasts an unprecedented speaker lineup, including keynotes from AT&T, Fujitsu, and Interoute. High-level executives from leading service providers Broadwing, Level 3, OnFiber, and Verizon will also speak.

Scott Clavenna, Optical Expo 2006 Conference Chair and Chief Analyst for Heavy Reading, notes: "The optical market's pulse is strong in 2006, with service providers taking a renewed interest in enhancing their optical networks to meet the challenges of IPTV, fixed-mobile convergence, and a host of advanced, innovative IP services. Suppliers are finding this diversity of applications adds real, sustainable strength to the market. This has provided us with the ideal opportunity to bring industry participants together in a focused conference and expo to discuss the industry's top challenges and opportunities."

To register for Optical Expo 2006, please visit: www.opticalexpo2006.com. Registration is free for press and analysts.