Oz, I saw your post as an example of large global companies looking after their interests by supporting a start-up company which had technology they wanted. Your added point regarding the risk associated with silicon photonics/PLCs and the long view would have been well understood at the time.  

As per TM: the recent orders validate our approach with some of the largest and most influential companies in the data communications industry.

POETs financial health will be scrutinized by these large customers and I think they would see an investment in POET to protect their interests as a smart move to remove any supply risks and keep the R&D dollars for new product development flowing.