Emily Newman

Creating True Diversity to LATAM

Creating True Diversity to LATAM

A Strategic Collaboration between DE-CIX and PIT Chile from NJFX

PIT Chile is interconnecting with DE-CIX directly at NJFX to enable and access the DE-CIX New York fabric.

DE-CIX’s strategic presence at NJFX allows for fewer hops and improved latency in the exchange of traffic between Europe, North America, and LATAM. This results in improved performance and reliability for customers on the DE-CIX platform looking to gain direct connectivity to major business hubs both terrestrially and subsea.

DE-CIX provides premium services through its interconnection platform in multiple carriers and data center-neutral exchanges across the globe. PIT Chile selected  DE-CIX New York and their East Coast connectivity hub at NJFX  in order to avoid legacy chokepoints.

“For global enterprises, ISPs, CDNs, and network operators, having access to diverse terrestrial and subsea options for connectivity is the coin of the realm, the foundation of their ability to reach new customers and penetrate new markets,” said Felix Seda, General Manager of NJFX

Created in 2016, PIT Chile is the first point of exchange operating in Chile, bringing together Internet providers (ISP) with content providers (CDN), allowing bilateral peering among all its members. PIT Chile is a neutral, public, open, and transparent Internet Exchange Point (IXP) that operates from North to South across multiple cities in Chile. In Santiago, the capital city, PIT Chile has 14 points of presence in the main data centers.

PIT Chile interconnecting with DE-CIX is a perfect example of the peering capabilities also being explored at NJFX for better distribution of eyeball networks in the most efficient and secure manner possible. At NJFX, customers are now able to leverage direct, low-latency routes to major business hubs avoiding legacy East Coast chokepoints such as New York City and Florida. The LATAM market is becoming a focused region for networks to connect from NJFX to DE-CIX New York.

“We are committed to providing the best connectivity for Chile and Latin America. To fulfill that promise, we need to work with the best technology and allies, such as DE-CIX and NJFX. Chile has been recognized for its quality and speed in internet connections, and we think that our role in providing peering capabilities is crucial to these results,” explained Ivan Žilić, CTO of PIT Chile

For LATAM-based network operators, PIT Chile can be used as a blueprint for other providers looking to better exchange traffic with North American and European ISPs at a carrier-neutral connectivity hub.

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About DE-CIX

DE-CIX is the world’s leading Internet Exchange operator and serves over 2,500 network operators, Internet service providers (ISPs), and content providers from more than 100 countries with peering and interconnection services at its more than 40 locations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America. Further information at de-cix.net/north-america

About PIT-Chile

PIT Chile is the first point of exchange operating in Chile, bringing together Internet providers (ISP) with content providers (CDN). This allows bilateral peering among all its members. PIT Chile’s IXP (Internet eXchange Point) offers neutral, public, open, and transparent operating in different Chile cities, from north to south. In Santiago, the capital city, customers can connect to fourteen (14) points of presence in the main data centers. For more information, please visit https://www.pitchile.cl/wp/

Creating True Diversity to LATAM Read More »

Pit Chile: A Switch Away to Connecting at NJFX

Access Pit Chile at NJFX - Just One Switch Away to Connecting the World

As Our Team Prepares For Capacity LATAM 2023 in Sao Paulo, We Celebrate Pit Chile’s Presence at NJFX!

Founded in 2016, PIT Chile is the first point of exchange operating in Chile, bringing together Internet providers (ISP) with content providers (CDN). This allows bilateral peering among all its members. PIT Chile’s IXP (Internet eXchange Point) offers neutral, public, open, and transparent operating in different Chile cities, from north to south. In Santiago, the capital city, customers can connect to fourteen (14) points of presence in the main data centers. 
 

The main objective of PIT Chile is to put just “one switch away” between consumers and internet providers. In this way, the Chilean IXP search for continuous growth, incorporating the most significant number of members, whether PITs, ISPs, CDNs, or other institutions such as universities, state bodies, and financial institutions that meet the technical requirements of interconnection. Some of the members of PIT Chile are Microsoft, Google, SpaceX, and the leading ISP providers of Chile, such as Telefónica, VTR, Claro, Entel, WOM, Mundo, and Claro, in addition to some international ISP providers, such as T-Mobile and AT&T.

PIT Chile has one of the highest traffic volumes in the region, ranked the 4th IXP largest in the world in traffic and the second in Latin America, just after Brazil. According to LACNIC measurements, it is also the second-best in the region on response times.

As a sponsor or speaker, the company is always present in regional meetings about technology and connectivity, such as LACNIC events, Global Peering Forum, and International Telecoms Weeks, tracking relevant trends and developments in the industry. PIT Chile also hosts their events: the next one will occur on March 23rd, 2023, in Santiago, Chile.

“For years, connectivity between LATAM and the U.S. has resided through Florida. We are seeing a shift in mentality as more networks look to circumvent potential points of failure. Having one of the largest LATAM-based Internet Exchange presents at NJFX is a perfect example of this,” said Felix Seda, General Manager at NJFX. “Their neutral IX boasts an impressive list of members incorporating PIT’s, ISP’s, CDN’s and other institutions such as universities, state agencies, and financials. We are excited that our ecosystem of networks can now interconnect with PIT Chile at NJFX and become exposed to the entirety of the Chilean market.”

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Explore our diverse community of network operators here

Pit Chile: A Switch Away to Connecting at NJFX Read More »

Mike Reverendo Promoted to CISO & Controller for NJFX

Mike Reverendo Promoted to CISO and Controller

Young Talent Leaders Growing Within NJFX – Masters Graduate promoted to Chief Information Security Officer and Controller

Mike Reverendo

CISO & Controller

February 27, 2023

Wall Township, NJ  – Mike Reverendo is celebrating his second-year anniversary at NJFX and has recently been named Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Controller. NJFX’s global infrastructure provides four subsea cables connecting Europe, North and South America, and the Caribbean. With over thirty-five network operators active at the NJFX facility, connectivity to our customers’ network follows strict security protocols with controlled physical access and various techniques to mitigate threats.

“NJFX has trusted me to secure access to all critical infrastructure and fiscal business operations. I look forward to maintaining the highest of security standards and working collaboratively with industry and government partners,” said Mike Reverendo, CISO & Controller, NJFX.

Mr. Reverendo has been the point person for NJFX to all its government partners. NJFX’s bolstered relationships with DHS, FBI, NJSP, MCPO, and other government entities are a testament to Mr. Reverendo’s proactive approach to establish partnerships to ensure the highest levels of both physical and network security. Over the last few years, his leadership has included voluntarily conducting DHS (Department of Homeland Security) audits for entities deemed essential in the sphere of critical infrastructure and the completion of SOC2 Certification. He has also eliminated third party security services to establish a team of professionals to ensure the highest standards for a sensitive environment.

“Aside from Mr. Reverendo’s professional contributions to our security standards, his leadership has been transformative to our culture of support and collaboration,” said Gil Santaliz, CEO, NJFX.

Today, Mr. Reverendo is working directly under the leadership of NJFX’s CFO, Jim Martini. This proactive relationship strengthens the day-to-day finances for our vendors and ensures our customers receive the highest level of support for their presence at NJFX. From studying Business Management & Marketing at The College of New Jersey and achieving a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Monmouth University, Mr. Reverendo brings a unique skill set to the organization.  

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First 400GB Crossing the Atlantic Access from NJFX Campus

New Connectivity Services from AquaComms

Learn More About The Unique Solutions AquaComms Is Providing Out Of NJFX

February

AquaComms Ireland branch is Ready for Service and is delivering reliability/resiliency at high capacity with a new 400 Gb connectivity service between NJFX and Europe – the first of its kind!

“NJFX is proud to be the landing station for this Subsea infrastructure, the first to offer 400G across the Atlantic. Today having Norway, Denmark, and now Ireland RFS is a great milestone for NJFX and New Jersey which has been supporting transatlantic systems for over 100 years,” said Gil Santaliz, CEO, NJFX.

New Connectivity Service from Aqua Comms 

  • New 400 Gb wavelengths launched on AEC-2, 
  • In addition to the existing 10Gb and 100Gb available options
  • Follows successful upgrade to Ciena’s GeoMesh Extreme submarine network solution, which leverages WaveLogic 5 Extreme coherent optical technology.

400Gb Wavelengths options

  • Available on AEC-2 Trans-Atlantic cable
  • Across all key Aqua Comms POPs in the US and Europe
  • Options for both OTU-4 and Ethernet interfaces
  • Lease terms from 12 months to 5 years or more
  • IRUs for 10, 15, or 20 years

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About NJFX:
NJFX is a Tier 3 Carrier Neutral Cable Landing Station campus. Our colocation ecosystem has expanded to over 35 network operators offering flexibility, reliability, and security. Our Wall, NJ location provides direct access to multiple subsea cable systems giving our carriers diverse connectivity solutions and offers direct interconnection without recurring cross-connect fees.”

First 400GB Crossing the Atlantic Access from NJFX Campus Read More »

Luminaries in Telecom “Dr. James Edward Maceo West”

Luminaries in Telecom: "Dr. James Edward Maceo West"

Written + Edited by:

Kevin Ayerdis + Emily Newman

February 16, 2023

Hello and welcome back to Luminaries in Telecom!

This month’s feature is about an enduring telecom icon, who is not as well-known as he should be. He recently celebrated his 92nd birthday and is still going strong in the field! A simple question to start: Have you made a phone/Zoom call today, or maybe used anything with a microphone within the past week? I’m sure we all have multiple times just today, and we owe a huge thanks for that to our latest luminary. An enthusiastic educator and a revolutionary inventor, having been called “The Black Edison,” Dr. James Edward Maceo West’s work continues to change the world! He and his colleagues brought forth the evolution of the very way we communicate not just in the telecom industry but as a society. In this latest edition of NJFX’s Luminaries series, we’re eager to share all that we have learned and hope to shed some light on a little-known, but globally substantial piece of African American history.

West was born in 1931 at his grandparents’ home in Farmville, Virginia, since the local hospital would not admit African Americans, reflecting racial prejudice from the very start of his life. His grandmother, formerly enslaved herself, helped deliver him. From a young age, West was fascinated with how things worked and enjoyed tinkering. “If I had a screwdriver and a pair of pliers, anything that could be opened was in danger. I had this need to know what’s inside,” he said. At age 12, he took a job alongside his cousin installing electrical wiring in homes in rural Virginia. While plugging in an old radio he had been tinkering with, he received a painful and enlightening lesson: an electric shock turned on his unending fascination with electricity. “After that, I knew I needed to learn everything I could about it.”

Shortly after graduating high school in the late 1940s, West enrolled at Hampden University as a pre-med student. His parents urged him to study medicine, as they worried about future job prospects. At the time being an African American scientist in the South was difficult due to the institutionalized racism of the Jim Crow laws. While studying, he was drafted by the Army during the Korean War, where he received a Purple Heart. His time in the service had a profound effect on him, galvanizing him into continuing education, on his terms. West now knew he had to follow his passion despite his family and society’s concerns, enrolling at Temple University in Philadelphia to study physics.

Rejected from study groups due to his race to only be invited into their circles when he took it upon himself to solve complex problems alone that the groups couldn’t solve. Physics became the conduit that would lead to an opportunity for a summer internship at Bell Labs—a legendary New Jersey-based laboratory that’s been mentioned in other Luminaries careers. West would soon add to that legacy. Bell Labs especially attracted him at the time they were one of few scientific institutions that were open to hiring minorities, a rare occurrence during segregated times. “It was the fact that there were other people who looked like me that I wanted to be like when I grew up,” West said.

While an intern, West found “Link Hawkins” as an inspiration and mentor. Walter Lincoln Hawkins was the first African American member of the technical staff at Bell in 1945. This was monumental for the time as this was two years before Jackie Robinson made history as the first African American accepted into Major League Baseball, which is often seen as a pivotal moment in American race relations.

Still only a student intern, West noticed a problem: “How do things work; why is it possible to do some things and not others?” Recording devices, phones, radios, et cetera, were clunky, sounded garbled, and expensive. West remembers that on average the cost was $2,000 for a decent device; equivalent to today’s rate of purchasing power of more than $20,000!

West had become quite the audiophile and acoustician, all stemming from that jolt of curiosity those many years ago, and saw this as a worthy challenge. During his internship, he learned the value of mentorship, crossing paths and collaborating with anyone he could, He took turns mentoring his fellow colleagues—all the while gaining momentum that would inspire him to begin the design of what would become his magnum opus.

West received his bachelor’s degree in 1957. Upon graduating, West was offered a position at Bell, quickly resuming work on his project: the Electret microphone.

He soon after met and befriended Gerhard M. Sessler, beginning what would become a long-running partnership collaborating for years on his “student” project. The two became inseparable in their efforts; “We were always teased that when we were together, don’t even try to talk to them! They were in their own world!” Together they toiled for years on the project and after much effort in 1962, they invented and patented the world-changing Foil Electret Microphone. This type of condenser microphone changed how we hear the world forever.

It was exactly as West had envisioned: a more compact, durable, highly sensitive, and inexpensive microphone than anything produced previously. The duo coined “Electret” which stems from the combo of terms, electrostatic and magnetic. This microphone uses a thin foil material that has been permanently charged, eliminating the need for an external power source.

This has ever-expanding applications remaining a vital rooting component in the advancement of telecommunications — from Alexa and Siri answering your inquiries of the weekly forecast, to your tablet that syncs to your smartwatch reminding you that the meeting starts in a minute, even down to your gaming headphones helping you coordinate with your team in a Call of Duty match. The Electret Microphone helps you accomplish your daily tasks with all these items!

The revolutionary technology was widely adopted in 1968. Since then, roughly two billion microphones are produced yearly; the patent has been the basis for a staggering 90% of all microphones used for communications.

On what drives his perpetuity, Dr. West says, “Curiosity, curiosity…curiosity and curiosity!” This unending curiosity assisted in leveraging his positioning, building to gift others opportunities he was snubbed for early on.

He never wavered in collaboration, mentoring, and being mentored by colleagues from various departments throughout Bell all in the pursuit of reconciling knowledge. West said, “Mentoring is very important for you both ways; each of you should have a mentor who’s above you in terms of your education process and each of you should be a mentor to people below you. In that process, I mentor and am being mentored by many.”

Being a proponent for racial equality and diversification, advocating Bell to increase opportunities for minorities in STEM, he helped launch a summer minority research program. He co-founded A.B.L.E (African American Body of Laboratory Employees). “The program helped to graduate 500 PhDs from underrepresented minorities and women. We worked for each other; we helped each other advance in the system. This group helped make substantial contributions to telephony and communications.”

West retired from Lucent Technology (Bell) in 2001. For his years of dedication and integrity, he earned the organization’s highest honorary title, “Distinguished Fellow at Bell Labs.” Not one to be satisfied with holding more than 60 U.S. patents and 200+ foreign patents, he naturally transitioned to academia, taking a role as a research professor at Johns Hopkins University. His daughter, Ellington West, one of his four children, carries his legacy forward. She is the CEO and co-founder of Sonavi Labs, specializing in medical devices and software. Harnessing the power of AI, she’s determined to make her mark in the field of telecom, just as her father did at Bell.

In 2007, President George W. Bush awarded West the National Medal of Technology. At age 91, West is currently on the board of the Ingenuity Project, which provides Baltimore students with accelerated math and science courses. He has also advocated for Johns Hopkins to make greater efforts to recruit and train outstanding minority students in the sciences.

An African American man is responsible for the devices in everyone’s pocket and yet few know the story. To reiterate, consider those daily conversations you’ve had with your loved ones, partners, and co-workers just wouldn’t be possible without Dr. West’s years of dedication to telecommunication. In his daughter Ellington West’s words, “One of the most difficult things about my father’s success has been the lack of acknowledgment on a global scale, and I think it’s an unfortunate reality that so many black and brown inventors and innovators face because… who are we working to emulate?”

In Dr. West’s words, “Retirement has never been in the picture for me so far, primarily because I enjoy what I do, and going to work is truly a pleasure.” Through his work and inventions, West has helped to transform our society and improve our lifestyle. The electret microphone is arguably one of the most important pieces of technology ever developed. Dr. West has earned the title of Luminary and we should honor this amazing inventor who has shaped a huge part of how we communicate.

A list of some of his accolades:

  • National Inventor’s Hall of Fame 1999 inductee
  • National Medal of Technology 
  • Distinguished Fellow at Bell Labs.
  • Inventor of the Year – State of NJ.
  • Two Purple Hearts were earned during his time in the Army.
  • National Academy of Engineering.
  • Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering.
  • George Stibitz trophy from AT&T.
  • John Scoot Award, Acoustical Society of America – President.
  • Honorary doctorates – from multiple universities including Michigan State, NJ Institute of Technology, Princeton, and more!

And of course, there is more to the story of “The Black Edison”, Dr. James Edward Maceo West, which we may revisit in the future. A curious young man from the rural south to have become a hero for generations of scientists. A true icon and role model for the telecom industry and for now, this concludes this month’s feature of Luminaries in Telecom. Please feel free to add to the conversation! Have you heard of Dr. James Edward Maceo West before? What did you take away from his unwavering empowerment in facing adversity and his passion for science? Sound off in the comments below with any fun facts/specifics that may have been missed, or any suggestions about any movers and shakers in telecom history you think deserve a feature send a message to [email protected].

To end with my favorite quote by Dr. West, “Failure is an accepted process in discovery If I don’t fail every once in a while, I’m not working hard enough.” We at NJFX hope you’ve gleaned a bit of inspiration to take with you through the rest of your week2

 

 

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Capacity LATAM 2023

Capacity LATAM 2023

We’re back in Brazil! 

Say hello to our team in sao paulo and see why NJFX is the next best solution for lATAM network operators.

Event Details:

Grand Hyatt

Av. das Nações Unidas, 13301 – Itaim Bibi,
São Paulo, 04578, Brazil

Looking to attend, click here.

Meet With The NJFX Team

Events

Capacity Europe 2022

The NJFX team is traveling to Capacity Europe! We are excited to travel cross seas to network and mingle with everyone at this year’s Capacity

Meet Us »

DICE Northeast 2022

The NJFX team is attending DICE NORTHEAST! We are excited to network and socialize with everyone at this year’s DICE Northeast. Say hello to Felix Seda and

Meet Us »

NYNOG 20

The NJFX team is attending NYNOG! We are excited to network and socialize with everyone at this year’s NYNOG 20. Say hello to Felix Seda, Emily Newman,

Meet Us »

Capacity LATAM 2023 Read More »

NANOG 87 – ATLANTA

NANOG 87

Join Our GM in Atlanta, GA to learn more about the unique capabilities that are being offered from our campus!

Event Details:

Atlanta Marriott Marquis

265 Peachtree Center Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

Looking to attend, click here.

Meet With Felix Seda

Events

Capacity Europe 2022

The NJFX team is traveling to Capacity Europe! We are excited to travel cross seas to network and mingle with everyone at this year’s Capacity

Meet Us »

DICE Northeast 2022

The NJFX team is attending DICE NORTHEAST! We are excited to network and socialize with everyone at this year’s DICE Northeast. Say hello to Felix Seda and

Meet Us »

NYNOG 20

The NJFX team is attending NYNOG! We are excited to network and socialize with everyone at this year’s NYNOG 20. Say hello to Felix Seda, Emily Newman,

Meet Us »

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Luminaries in Telecom “Godfather of Telecom”

Luminaries in Telecom: "Godfather of Telecom" Jerry DeMartino

NJFX interviewed Godfather of Telecom at PTC’23 on the journey of a new yorker heading into telecom and delivers insight on how the industry was formed.

Kevin Ayerdis

Site Access

January 30, 2023

Happy New Year to all, and welcome back to Luminaries in Telecom!

We are kicking off our ‘Luminaries in Telecom’ series for 2023 featuring a man who has immersed himself in the industry for 50 years! I’m sure many of you readers have run into him at one of many trade shows including celebrating his 40th PTC in Hawaii. He has witnessed the evolution of the telecom industry beyond voice services to encompassing everything online. Without a doubt, he’s a longstanding trusted member and a pillar of the community, earning the title “The Godfather of Telecom,” AKA Mr. Jerry DeMartino!

The NJFX team grabbed the opportunity to interview the former President of MCI International and current CEO at Competitive Telecoms Group Inc. at PTC’23. We are eager to share all that we have learned from DeMartino, who has a special ability for international collaborations. We have a bit of history as well, he sharply believed in and was at the launch of NJFX! DeMartino is a man whom our very own CEO of NJFX, Gil Santaliz, has much admiration for, having worked together at MCI years ago. After learning more about Mr. DeMartino in this New Year edition of NJFX’s Luminaries, we are looking forward to you sharing your best stories about the “Godfather” DeMartino. 

Jerry DeMartino is a proud-born and bred New Yorker having graduated from CCNY in the Bronx, then returned home to attend the Graduate program at Brooklyn College. A warm and defining memory he shared with us was becoming the president of the college debate team. This is where he truly learned the gift of public speaking, the art of socializing, and discovering his love for travel. The team traveled cross-country all the while leading them to win numerous awards. DeMartino’s team was so triumphant they were granted more funding than the college basketball team! During our discussion he was asked to deliberate on a specific topic: telecom sales. His winning response he happily recited for us “If I can sell ideas, I can sell Telex!” This caught the ear of a recruiter in attendance who pulled him aside noting his raw talent. This interaction unbeknownst to him at the time would start a chain of events that would lead him to become the successful executive he is today. In DeMartino’s own words, “The Debate team played a critical role in getting my first job in telecoms. Straight out of college, I became a recruiter and took one of the jobs that came in for a Telex salesperson in NY, my debate team experience was what sold them on my ability to sell almost anything.”

Having become a recruiter himself, at 23 years old DeMartino transitioned to sales at WUI selling Telex (a spinoff of Western Union Telegraph and competitor to RCA & ITT), allowing him to gain skills that he would take with him throughout his career. He highlighted a key lesson: don’t be shy, approach peers and those around you with curiosity. This lack of timidness allowed him the chance to work alongside and learn from many leaders in the industry. In 1982, WUI was acquired by MCI and DeMartino quickly rose through the ranks becoming President of MCI International.

A bit of truly groundbreaking history he shared with us.

“My team broke the worldwide monopoly for international voice when it opened the first competitive voice service in the world with Belgium,” DeMartino said. “Over the next 5-10 years the monopolies around the world not only opened their markets to MCI and other US providers but began allowing new operators to compete in their countries. Swiftly, telephone monopolies were toppled allowing thousands of new entrants into the market in every country.

Having a place in the legacy of MCI in their breaking the domestic ATT monopoly along with the long-standing global monopoly as well. DeMartino said, “The telecom industry is what it is today because of MCI.” DeMartino’s work at MCI had quite the rippling effect and word of mouth spread across the company.

Among many advancements, he witnessed in technology, the precursor to all public email systems, MCI Mail. One of the first systems of its kind, allowing MCI to now communicate efficiently. To utilize this DeMartino mentioned, being rewarded with one of the first laptops, a bulky 40-pound Compaq. Further making his mark, DeMartino was involved in some of the biggest events in telecoms history including building the first subsea fiber optic cable that directly connected the United States to Latin America as the first CEO of Globenet. He built international partnerships for MCI with BT (British Telecom) and Telefónica, S.A. (out of Madrid, Spain and led acquisitions of Clear Coms (New Zealand), Avantel Limited (Mexico), and Embratel (Brazil) and managed MCI’s worldwide relationships with 60 offices globally.

A turning point, in October of 1998, WorldCom acquired MCI, and Jerry the lifelong New Yorker found himself with an offer he couldn’t refuse…” a great opportunity” to relocate to Jackson, Mississippi to work under a Bernie Ebbers. Not something he wanted for himself and his family, this event further cemented the vision he had been building for some time, Competitive Telcom Group. Unapologetic, he explains, “I left WorldCom on April fool’s day in ‘99 to announce CTG and WorldCom went bankrupt (soon after in 2002)”. The transition came naturally to him as informally he had been consulting and recruiting colleagues and peers into positions for years in doing so building bonds with global partners. During his time at MCI, his professional growth mirrored the ebb and flow, the evolution and expansion of the industry itself. With all this experience and knowledge, he would lead the newly founded CTG to decades of success.

“After leaving MCI 27 years later, my recruiting experience helped me set up Competitive Telecoms Group doing both recruiting and consulting.”

DeMartino quickly went from traveling the world, working 60-hour weeks to deciding his primary goal was to build his own business. Having naturally established connections reinforced his sights of expanding his own budding global partnerships to flourish. With DeMartino at the helm, his two sons soon joined CTG each bringing their own skills and experiences in telecom and recruiting. Dominick and Matthew’s contributions helped to build CTG to mainstream prominence, solidifying their place in the industry. Having amassed an expansive clientele list of 100+ companies in the industry, they have consulted for some heavy hitters’ names such as Cerberus Capital, Carlyle Group, Telefonica and Bell Canada, and of course, NJFX to name a few. This list will surely double within the coming years, on his career indefatigability, “CTG has been doing this for the last 23 years, so this is now my 50th year in the telecom industry!”

Over the course of his career, hundreds of thousands in the industry have felt the rippling effects and benefit from DeMartino’s endeavors and accomplishments. CTG is renowned industry-wide in the consulting and “headhunting” space. In DeMartino’s words, “As a specialist recruiter in the telecom space, we are regularly competing with (and is preferred) over big-time recruiters. 50 years in the industry and a lifetime of friends help.”

The post-Covid, the remote-work force has put a new twist in the streaming digital age, increasing the importance of the “last mile” of telecommunications to individuals’ homes. The ongoing tech explosion of adaptive AI automation, data analytics, and social media shape a large part of the increasingly competitive landscape CTG occupies. When asked about predictions and advice for the future of the industry, he noted he was delighted to see NJFX hosting events catered to inclusivity in welcoming the new industry leaders at the Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC). Millennials, gen Z, and gen alpha are now rapidly entering the workforce. COVID-19 obviously makes this a challenge to those aiming to rise and close the talent gap left behind by those exiting the industry.” I am happy to see Gil and NJFX taking a leadership role in getting new blood into the industry.”

DeMartino emphasizes the importance of interpersonal socialization, AKA face-to-face interactions. Attending events such as the upcoming ITW, PTC, Capacity Europe, and Metro Connect has been essential to their success. He reminds us that something as simple as sitting next to someone over dinner or chatting over drinks in a small but relaxed setting has led to some of his most successful meetings. He worries that a hands-on approach is lost in the zoom calls/remote work and is not a balanced replacement for building long-lasting bonds with partners and colleagues for the new class of industry professionals.

Always looking towards the future, he says the primary players to watch that continue to push the industry forward are the data centers, sub-sea cable providers, and especially now satellites with Space-X and other firms increasingly providing delivery.

When asked about retiring completely and passing on the mantle, “What Mantle!! My sons already have me envisioning “Weekend at Bernie’s” They will be rolling me out when needed. Honestly, with Dominick having a background in telecoms at Sprint Canada before joining CTG and Matt having recruiting experience at Kforce before joining, they are the perfect pair to continue the legacy. Hope they pass it down to their kids.”

DeMartino says things got easier and a lot more fun and enjoyable when he started working alongside his sons. His one regret is not having more kids to help him in his goal of dominating the space! With no plans of stopping, ideations towards expanding their yearly conference run with reported plans to visit Monaco, Brazil, and beyond. In the next five years, his sons will be taking over more of the business allowing time for travel to smaller growing events/conferences and a golf course visit or two.

When asked for closing remarks, he cited, “Bill McGowan, The founder of MCI, once said, “You need to borrow so much money that the banks can’t afford to have you go bankrupt and will lend you more” That may be the single thing that kept MCI going through the early years. His final remark: See you at the next 10 PTCs!”

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And of course, there is so much more to the “Godfather of Telecom”, Jerry DeMartino, that we didn’t cover in his ongoing legacy that we may revisit in the future. A young debating bambino from Brooklyn ,and light heavyweight Golden Gloves fighter in 1976 becoming the CEO of Competitive Telecom Group. A trusted leading purveyor of talent in the industry and for now, this concludes this month’s feature of Luminaries in Telecom. Please feel free to add to the conversation! Like a Where’s Waldo book, how many times have you encountered Jerry DeMartino before? What do you take away from his wealth of experience and his ability to collaborate and provide solutions? Sound off in the comments below with any fun facts/specifics that may have been missed, special thanks to his son Matt for his help on this feature! Any suggestions about any movers and shakers in telecom history you think deserve a feature send a message to [email protected]. We at NJFX hope you’ve gleaned a bit of inspiration to take with you through the rest of your week and again Happy new year!


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The North Atlantic Loop Published by SubTelForum on July 22, 2020 July 23, 2020 Aqua Comms, the independent carriers’ carrier and the owner-operator of five subsea cables

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Luminaries in Telecom “Godfather of Telecom” Read More »

Metro Connect USA 2023

Metro Connect USA 2023!

Where the future of the U.S. digital infra market is shaped.

Say hello to our CEO Gil Santaliz

Event Details:

Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa 

3030 Holiday Dr.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
United States

Looking to attend, click here.

Request A Meeting With NJFX!

Events

Capacity Europe 2022

The NJFX team is traveling to Capacity Europe! We are excited to travel cross seas to network and mingle with everyone at this year’s Capacity

Meet Us »

DICE Northeast 2022

The NJFX team is attending DICE NORTHEAST! We are excited to network and socialize with everyone at this year’s DICE Northeast. Say hello to Felix Seda and

Meet Us »

NYNOG 20

The NJFX team is attending NYNOG! We are excited to network and socialize with everyone at this year’s NYNOG 20. Say hello to Felix Seda, Emily Newman,

Meet Us »

Metro Connect USA 2023 Read More »

Revolutionizing PTC and Beyond

Revolutionizing PTC and Beyond

Our General Manager making a difference at PTC giving a new generation a seat at the table 

Felix Seda

General Manager

January 18, 2023

Honolulu, HI – As many of you know this industry comes together within a galaxy of conferences spanning wireless, satellite, subsea, and cloud, etc. Thirty years ago,  the technology was not there to have the assortment of conferences that we all attend today. PTC is one that has been standing and representing what this industry is all about. With the commitment to educate, create partnerships, and contribute to making this world beyond what we can imagine. PTC’23 has proven that we can make a difference in the future of telecom.

Or General Manager, Felix Seda, attended his first PTC in 2018. At the time, his role was Director of Site Access & Administration where he was responsible for engaging, contracting our vendors, and overseeing the company’s budgetary outlook during the construction of the NJFX facility. Once construction of the NJFX facility was completed, he then progressed to help oversee Operations & Site Access. In this role, Felix was responsible for day-to-day operations ensuring proper procedures were established for entering the NJFX campus along with implementing protocols for our vendors and customers to follow when conducting work on-site.

Attending PTC allowed Felix to develop valuable relationships with our customers and get a first-hand view of the conversations being had amongst our peers in the industry. These valuable relationships allowed Felix to move more into a Business Development role eventually becoming the General Manager of NJFX. Felix is now directly responsible for overseeing the growth of NJFX’s ecosystem of network operators while working closely with existing and prospective customers to uncover new connectivity solutions that help meet our clients’ goals and strategic initiatives.

Felix has now become an established pillar of the Telecom community with accomplishments including the Capacity Power 100 list. This global index lists 100 of the most influential people in the wholesale carrier and ICT communities. Those named are not only powerful people in their respective fields but also innovators, disruptors, critical thinkers, and agents of change – who push the conversation forward in some way or another. Being an agent of change is essential to moving things forward and Felix has utilized his experience to help push the next generation of Telecom to implement the Millennials of Telecom reception at PTC’20.

Felix’s growing influence in the industry helped him become part of the PTC Advisory Council and Membership Committee. During his time on the Advisory Council, Felix has been instrumental in establishing PTC Beyond – an initiative aimed to help get the younger generation to attend PTC and become more involved as leaders in their respective organizations.

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More In the News

The North Atlantic Loop

The North Atlantic Loop Published by SubTelForum on July 22, 2020 July 23, 2020 Aqua Comms, the independent carriers’ carrier and the owner-operator of five subsea cables

Read More »

Revolutionizing PTC and Beyond Read More »

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