Don Clarke

Don Clarke is an accomplished international telecommunications consultant with a rich background in the industry. He is currently based in the United States and has held various significant roles in leading organizations.

In his previous position, Don spearheaded the collaborative effort among cable operators to create an access network virtualization strategy for the global cable industry, showcasing his expertise in strategic planning and industry collaboration.

Before relocating to the US in 2014, Don had a successful tenure in Research and Development at BT in the UK. His notable achievements include initiating a global telecommunications collaboration on Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and being the editor of a pioneering paper that introduced the term NFV to the industry, setting the course for cloud networking in telecommunications.

Don played a pivotal role in founding the ETSI NFV Industry Specification Group and chaired the Network Operator Council, demonstrating his leadership capabilities and influence in shaping industry standards and visions.

As a co-founder of Open Platform for NFV (OPNFV), Don further positioned himself as a key figure in the realm of NFV integration and open-source projects.

Acknowledged for his contributions, Don was part of the task force that received the prestigious British Telecommunications Gold Medal for their remarkable efforts in achieving comprehensive broadband coverage in the UK.

In addition to his extensive work in R&D and standardization, Don has a keen interest in entrepreneurship, having co-founded a video display technology manufacturing company.

Aside from his professional endeavors, Don is a holder of patents related to optical networks and NFV security, showcasing his innovative spirit and contribution to technological advancements in the field.

Don Clarke's educational background includes an Associate's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering with Distinction from Colchester Institute, as well as a BSc. (Hons) in Computer Systems with a Class 2(1) from the University of Essex.

Currently serving as the Principal Consultant at Telecom Foresight Consulting LLC, Don continues to leverage his expertise and experience to drive innovation and growth in the telecommunications industry.

With a wealth of experience in various leadership roles at reputable organizations like CableLabs and BT, Don Clarke is a seasoned professional with a profound impact on the evolution of telecommunications networks globally. His accomplishments in standardization, industry collaboration, and innovation underscore his status as a prominent figure in the field.