Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to retaining customers for a wireless-service provider (“carrier”). A ratio is calculated based on a number of incoming calls received by a mobile device and a number of outgoing calls originating from the mobile device. The ratio is also based on locations of callers that originated the incoming calls. The ratio is compared to an influencer threshold. When the ratio is greater than the influencer threshold, then a subscriber associated with the mobile device is indicated to be an influencer that potentially affects decisions of other subscribers regarding whether to cancel or maintain their subscriptions with the wireless service. An incentive is provided to the influencer to increase the likelihood that the influencer will retain a subscription with the wireless service, thereby increasing the likelihood that other subscribers who might be influenced by the influencer will retain their respective subscriptions.

Abstract: An embodiment of the current invention is directed to retaining customers for a wireless-service provider (“carrier”). A plurality of users who are influencers are identified from a group of wireless-service subscribers, wherein an influencer is a user who is likely to affect decisions of other users regarding whether to cancel or maintain their subscriptions with a particular carrier based on whether the influencer cancels or maintains his or her subscription. A list of influencers is thereby created. An incentive to provide the list of identified influencers is determined. The incentive increases the likelihood that the set of influencers will retain their respective subscriptions, thereby increasing the likelihood that other subscribers who might be influenced will also retain their respective subscriptions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing PMD tests on a fiber span that is in service. For a fiber span transporting data signals in data channels of a data bandwidth, the following methods may be used for PMD tests. For a first method, a light system transmits test signals over test channels outside of the data bandwidth onto the fiber span. The test channels may have wavelengths longer or shorter than the data channels. The PMD measurement system receives the test signals and measures PMD on the fiber span. For a second method, a light system transmits test signals over available channels in the data bandwidth onto the fiber span. The data bandwidth may not be fully utilized for transporting data, so there are data channels available for PMD testing. The PMD measurement system receives the test signals and measures PMD on the fiber span.

Abstract: Methods and networks are disclosed for optimizing PMD measurements on an installed span of fiber. For a method of the invention, a light system transmits light over the installed fiber. A PMD measurement system measures PMD on the fiber over a time period based on the light. A temperature measurement system measures ambient temperatures of the fiber over the time period. The PMD measurements and the ambient temperature measurements are then processed to determine an optimal temperature range for performing future PMD measurements on the fiber. The optimal temperature range indicates the best temperatures to perform measurements, the best time of day to perform measurements, the best time of year to perform measurements (such as summer or winter), etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that compensate for polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) mid-link in a network. According to the invention, a light conditioning system is installed mid-link in a network and receives a channel from a de-multiplexer. In the light conditioning system, a splitter system receives a light beam representing the channel from the de-multiplexer. The splitter system splits the input light beam into a first beam having a first polarization mode and a second beam having a second polarization mode substantially orthogonal to the first polarization mode. A PMD system then synchronizes the first polarization mode and the second polarization mode in time to compensate for PMD affecting the input light beam. A combiner system combines the first beam and the second beam into an output light beam that is PMD compensated, and transmits the output light beam to a multiplexer.