Lazarus Agapidis
Telecom & Networking Consultant | Trainer | Founder of telecomTech
I’m Lazarus Agapidis, a telecom and networking specialist with over 25 years of experience across network design, architecture, project planning, certification development, and professional training. My expertise spans routing, switching, security, wired and wireless technologies, fiber optics, VoIP, 5G, and more.
Having worked with vendors, service providers, enterprises, and end users, I bring a practical, real-world perspective to every project and training session—grounded in both technical knowledge and an understanding of the people who use, support, and fund the technology.
I founded telecomTech to share my well-rounded expertise with students, entry-level techs, and seasoned professionals alike. My goal is simple: to make telecom and networking technologies easy to understand, simply explained, and accessible to all.
Major Milestones in my Career
Creator - telecomTech YouTube Channel
I launched the telecomTech YouTube Channel with a simple mission: to be a place where telecom and networking are simply explained and explained simply.
Founder & Director - telecomTech (Personal Company)
As the founder and director of my own consulting and training company, I provide expert services in networking and telecommunications. My work spans across Europe, Asia, and North America, offering everything from high-level consulting to hands-on training. Clients include enterprises, institutions, and government bodies looking to enhance or modernize their network infrastructure.
5G Course Developer and Trainer – SkillSoft (USA)
I created multiple video-based training courses on 5G technology, totaling over 20 hours of content. I also conducted several live virtual bootcamps, helping learners understand and apply cutting-edge 5G concepts in real-world scenarios.
Network Support Engineer - Cultural and Convention Center of Crete (Heraklion, Greece)
I provide ongoing support and management for the wired and wireless networks at one of Greece’s most prominent convention centers. The facility hosts major cultural events and conferences, often accommodating up to 2,000 attendees, requiring a highly available and high-performance network infrastructure.
Technical Content Writer
Over the years, I’ve written more than 1,000 technical articles and blog posts—some ghostwritten, others published under my name. These cover a wide range of topics including IPv6, VoIP, BGP, network security, VPNs, unified communications, and more. I specialize in turning complex topics into clear, engaging content for a global audience.
Forum Moderator and Content Creator - NetworkLessons.com
As part of the team at NetworkLessons.com, I answer user questions daily—primarily related to Cisco CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE certifications. I also contribute to the creation of labs and exam prep content, helping learners worldwide achieve their networking certification goals.
Municipal Wi-Fi Network Designer and Administrator (Various Cities in Crete)
I’ve designed and continue to manage free public Wi-Fi networks for the cities of Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, and Anogia. These networks feature over 250 access points combined and provide reliable connectivity to residents and visitors alike.
Municipal Wi-Fi Network Engineer – City of Heraklion, Greece
This long-term project began with the design and deployment of a city-wide free Wi-Fi network, which has grown to become the largest municipal wireless network in Greece. I continue to manage and evolve this infrastructure to meet modern demands.
Remote Network and VoIP Support – Orthopaedic Associates, Florida (USA)
Provided comprehensive remote support for a Cisco VoIP system and inter-site connectivity across a network of medical facilities. Ensured high availability and performance across their communication infrastructure.
Certification Content Developer – Morrell Telecom (Dubai)
Developed proprietary certification courses equivalent to Cisco’s CCNA and CCNP certifications, including course materials, exams, and labs. I also handled Morrell's registration with BICSI, ensuring industry recognition and alignment with global standards.
ICT Network Design Consultant – Ramboll (Singapore)
Contributed to a major international project by designing the ICT network for a proposed airport development in India. My role focused on translating operational requirements into scalable and efficient network infrastructure.
Municipal Wi-Fi Installation – WiFi4EU Program (Crete, Greece)
As part of the EU-funded WiFi4EU initiative, I led the installation of public Wi-Fi networks in four Cretan cities: Heraklion, Rethymno, Sitia, and Anogia, enhancing digital accessibility for residents and tourists.
Smart City Initiatives – Municipality of Heraklion
Actively participated in Heraklion’s push toward becoming a Smart City. I contributed to the city’s strategic digital plan, represented it in international forums such as URBACT, and supported applications that earned Heraklion three consecutive Smart21 awards.
Network Design Consultant – U.S. Military Installation (Africa)
Developed the complete network architecture for a U.S. military base with 42 buildings and over 1,000 users. The design included the satellite uplink, core, distribution, and access layers.
CCNA/CCNP Instructor – Heraklion, Greece
Delivered in-person training courses for aspiring network engineers. Many of my students have gone on to pass industry certifications and build successful careers.
Manager, Metropolitan Fiber Network – Heraklion
Managed the city’s fiber-optic metropolitan area network (MAN), ensuring reliable high-speed connectivity for municipal buildings and services.
Project Manager, VoIP Migration – Municipality of Heraklion
Led the migration of the city’s telephony infrastructure from legacy systems to a Cisco-based VoIP solution across 12 locations.
Director of Broadband Promotion – Information Society of Greece
Oversaw an awareness campaign for broadband adoption, organizing events and creating promotional strategies to drive digital inclusion for the region of Crete.
CCNA Instructor – Cisco Academy, University of Crete
Trained and certified as the first CCNA instructor for the Cisco Academy at the University of Crete, helping launch the program.
VoIP Migration Project Manager – University of Crete
Designed and managed the rollout of Cisco VoIP across the university’s three campuses, transitioning from legacy telephony systems.
Director of Operations – Panhellenic School Network (Crete Region)
Led the regional operations of Greece’s national school network, ensuring connectivity and support for hundreds of educational institutions.
Network Engineer – Communication and Networking Center, University of Crete
Worked on major European-funded networking initiatives while supporting the university’s internal network and VoIP infrastructure.
Helpdesk Agent & Supervisor – Panhellenic School Network (Crete Region)
Managed the helpdesk team responsible for supporting schools in the Crete region, resolving technical issues and improving support workflows.
Voice Traffic Engineer – Sprint Canada (Toronto)
Worked in the telephony traffic engineering department, analyzing and optimizing voice traffic patterns across national networks.
Telecom Intern – Switchview Inc. (Waterloo, Canada)
Analyzed telecom usage and cost data during a university internship, providing actionable insights for corporate telecom expense management.
Software Development Intern – Dalsa Imaging (Waterloo, Canada)
Programmed quality control software for CCD sensors as part of a university internship, gaining early experience in applied tech development.
Skillset
Networking & Protocols: Cisco R&S, VLANs, VoIP, IPv6, MPLS, BGP, VXLAN, QoS, Firewalls
Infrastructure: Fiber optics, LTE, 5G, Microwave, Monitoring Tools
Professional: Project leadership, Technical training, Documentation, Proposal writing
The following are some of the most prominent partners, employers, clients, and associates that I have worked with over the years.
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