A tribute to network power
Here we are, at the end of one of the most desperate years the network industry has ever endured. Mainstay telecom equipment providers have withered, one-time high-flying application service provider, DSL and Web-hosting markets have collapsed, and countless e-commerce ventures have flamed out. Yet despite the misfortunes at so many companies - even whole sectors - you don't have to look too far for evidence of power. Within the pages of this, our eighth-annual Power Issue, you'll find it in the profiles of companies exercising their influence, people grabbing opportunity and technologies making their mark in the enterprise. This issue stands as a testament that networking as a whole, despite the floundering economy, remains a vital, thriving industry.

• The 10 most powerful companies.
• The results of our annual company Powerometer survey: reader's takes on the power of 25 major vendors.

The most powerful people in the network industry

• 50 powerful people who stand to grab more influence in 2002.
• Profiles on five of the most influential up-and-coming vendor executives.
• The results of annual CEO Powerometer survey: readers' takes on the power of 25 major vendor CEOs.

Five contentious issues playing out in the network industry

• RBOCs vs. ILECs for control of corporate long distance.
• Ethernet vs. Frame Relay or ATM in the WAN and MAN.
• VPN hardware vs. software vendors on performance claims.
• IT vs. business managers on information disposal policies.
• States vs. enterprises on telework taxation.

Three emerging technologies empowering the enterprise

• Internationalization for global e-busines
• SIP for interoperable VoIP equipment
• The wireless Web for mobile enterprise data.

Our guide to a more powerful you

• Boardroom bravado for winning budget battles.
• Expressing a vision well.
• Recharging the network professional's batteries.

Two interactive tools and one game for Fusion readers only

• The Power Issue Bracket Game selection of the most powerful person in the network industry.
• Interactive timeline loaded with industry altering events.
• In-depth and exclusive Powerometer research.