Re: ".....anyone care to comment on the different wording?"

"Engage with a commercial partner" - this is mentioned in the December 2017 Investor Presentation for the dielectric optical engine. "Secure strategic partner" is also mentioned in the December 2017 Investor Presentation for the monolithic devices, and is also mentioned in the July 2017 AGM presentation for the monolithic devices.

So, nothing really new for terminology about the monolithic devices since July anyways (from what I can see, I might be missing something).

From the May 17 2016 presentation "strong interest from strategic customers from component players to network players." Not really sure what a strategic customer is, but I am sure we can come up with something.

Not really sure I would put much weight on these different words (or any words these days - just show me the money!). I will happily accept any partner, whether they are "strategic", "commercial", or something else. I will also take customers, whether they are "strategic", or not.

Perhaps the "advanced discussions" announced quite some time ago are nearing completion, or at least they are now very advanced.

Good luck!!