Technical Lead: Engineer Luiz Fernando Bezerra

A 1969 graduate in Telecommunications Engineering from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, he is an experienced telecommunications manager and project leader with technical expertise as well as business and management skills. Expertise in Submarine Communications Systems and in Network Planning / Operations. Experience in managing large-scale projects and leading successful teams. Extensive experience in proposal request processes and contract negotiation. Ability to build excellent relationships with clients, partners, and suppliers.

At SAE, he actively participated in the following submarine optical cable projects:

• Brazilian Festoon with Schaihn Engenharia, São Paulo 1993-1995 – Involved in the research and end-laying operation;
• Submarine cable in the Campos Basin for Petrobras with Tyco Telco, USA and Continental Service Macaé, Brazil 1997 – Involved in the onshore laying operation and the installation of the cable on the Platforms;
• Operation and maintenance of submarine cable for Alcatel ASN, France, serving as Director of Operations for South America, responsible for 7 cable stations, in Venezuela, Brazil (3), Argentina, Chile, and Peru, dealing with the Cable Station and operations. (Client – Global Crossing) October 2000 to May 2003;
• In partnership with Multirede Angola and GVS Consulting, he provided technical support to Sonangol P&P (the State Oil Company of Angola) for 18 months (2011/2012), a Consortium participation project for the interconnection of oil platforms in shallow, medium, and deep waters along the coast of Angola. Other Consortium participants: Esso, BP, Chevron, Total, and ENI. The Consulting services consisted of developing the agreement between the parties (‘PPA’ – Program Participation Agreement), the Capacity Marketing Model (‘Capacity Model’), and the technical design of the Submarine Optical System (‘SOOC’) in Angola’s territorial waters, with approximately 2,000 km in length, including stretches with and without submerged repeaters. 2011 to 2013;
• Several projects, in partnership with GVS Consultants and Pioneer Consulting, involving:
  • Assessment and development of a business case for International Telecommunications companies interested in operating in Brazil (2010 to 2013);
  • Development of technical specifications and bidding documents (RFP) for the design of new submarine optical cable systems planned by Telebras (Brazil-United States; Brazil-Europe; Brazil-Africa) (2011/2012);
  • Development of a business case for Odebrecht Defesa e Tecnologia (ODT) regarding the assessment of participation in a Venture for the Deployment and Commercial Exploitation of submarine optical systems, especially on the Brazil-USA route;
• Projects in partnership with Pioneer Consulting (2013):
  • Preparation of the study and technical due diligence of the GlobeNet submarine cable for a potential buyer;
  • Technical analysis of the Submarine Cable System, Rio-Fortaleza-Florida-New York, passing through Colombia and Venezuela;
• In partnership with AQEST, France, preparation of the ITT documents for the EllaLink Submarine Cable and participation in the evaluation of the proposals. From October 2015 to the present;
• In partnership with Ecology Brazil, Rio, participation in the study for the preparation of the requirement documents for Ibama and the Brazilian Navy for several cables, such as AMX, Monet, BRUSA, Junior, and Tannat.

Previously, in the Projects Section of the Engineering Division of the International Communications Department of Embratel, he participated in the design and implementation of large submarine cable systems (Americas-I connecting Brazil and the USA, Americas II and III connecting Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America, and Atlantis 2, connecting Latin America, Africa, and Europe), serving as the leader of the procurement group, responsible for, among other activities:

• Identifying the most suitable configuration for the international submarine cable system in accordance with the desired requirements;
• Preparing business case studies to define the project’s initial budget;
• Participating in the Special Committees of International Submarine Cable Consortia (Procurement Group, Technical Working Group, Route Working Group, and Commissioning and Acceptance Working Group);
• Preparing the technical specifications of the system to be deployed and the international bidding documents among potential suppliers;
• Selecting the best proposal, negotiating with and contracting the supplier, and managing the contract;
• Selecting the best route for laying the system, in terms of economics and safety;
• Managing the deployment and acceptance of the system at the factory and in the field;
• Ensuring the acquisition of all necessary licenses (for coastal connection, maritime operations, etc.), and assisting in the import process during the customs clearance of the imported equipment.