Fred M. Briggs

Fred M. Briggs
Executive Vice President
Network Operations and Technology
Verizon Business

As executive vice president of network operations and technology, Fred Briggs oversees one of the largest facilities-based communications networks in the world. He is responsible for the complete engineering and operation of the new business unit's seamless global voice, data and IP networks, which span more than 2,700 cities in 150 countries, touching six continents. The company's network provides the latest in IP VPNs, wireless data, voice over IP and IP network security, as well as legacy frame relay, ATM and voice services.

In his previous position as president of MCI's Operations and Technology Division, Briggs was a major force in the industry by taking the lead to offer converged networking. It enables companies to make the transition to an IP world and reap the benefits of new and innovative applications and technologies, greater network flexibility and streamlined communications, all of which allow customers to enhance business processes and collaboration with customers, suppliers, employees and partners. As he did with MCI, Briggs has ensured that Verizon’s new business unit is uniquely positioned to deliver the benefits of convergence to business customers due to the company’s extensive global network and hosting assets, its expansive geographic reach and deep IP expertise.

As president of MCI's O&T organization and as MCI's CTO, Briggs worked with vendors, research laboratories and standards bodies on emerging technologies.

Prior to being CTO and chief information officer, Briggs was senior vice president of MCI's network services engineering team, which developed award-winning networks for the Federal Aviation Administration and NASDAQ and broke new ground in reliability and management of data distribution. He held earlier positions as senior vice president of network operations, vice president of data services engineering, and vice president of data services for MCI International, where he developed international messaging and private line services. He joined MCI's International Network Planning organization in 1983.

Briggs previously held operations management and engineering positions with AT&T and Mobil Chemical Co. and served in the U.S. Navy as an engineering officer on board nuclear submarines.

Briggs has served as a panelist for congressional briefing programs and was a member of the Federal Communications Commission’s Technical Advisory Committee. He was identified by Info World magazine as one of the Top 25 most influential CTOs.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Oregon State University.

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