Dave Walters has 51 years of experience in cable transmission systems. As a Cambridge University physics graduate, he worked on the development of an electrical analogue transatlantic cable system and then took part in its marine installation in 1973. He later worked for 17 years at the STL research laboratories on the implementation of optical fibres into practical working cable systems, and after that for ASN as Manager, IPR and Modelling, where he was awarded the title Distinguished Member of Technical Staff. He is now a semi-retired consultant specialising in materials-related reliability of cable networks.