Rick Talbot is the principal analyst for the intelligent transport, network access transformation and 5G RAN xHaul transport practices at ACG Research. He possesses expertise in network access, transport and switching technologies, including Software-Defined Networking (SDN), and a deep understanding of the telecommunications industry competitive landscape, business (and regulatory) issues and economic trends. He gained this broad experience in over 40 years of technical marketing and sales engineering roles at network systems vendors as well as network architecture design roles at service providers.

Previously, Rick has been a principal analyst at Current Analysis, as well as holding product marketing, product management and strategic planning positions at ZTE, NEC Corporation of America, PacketLight Networks, Ciena Corporation and Alcatel Network Systems. He held engineering, network planning and engineering positions at Broadwing Communications, WilTel, National Datacom and Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. He was also a policy analyst for the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Rick holds an MBA degree from Southern Methodist University and a bachelor of engineering science degree from Trinity University. He is a registered professional engineer in the State of Texas and a senior member of the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers.