Ed of BlackFin sent me the following comment. He was NOT impressed with Arun.
Here’s the quote that really wound him up — from a post on Telecoms.com (which I can’t link to because their system is a bit crap with links):
Sarin called on the industry as a whole to work faster on its plans for Long Term Evolution (LTE), the next generation cellular technology, highlighting the faster than anticipated adoption of WiMAX on the world stage.
Ed commented:
Not sure if you’ve seen this. Makes my blood boil. He’s standing there like he’s the wise old man who knew this was coming all along. Er, year right.
Ahh yes, I remember now, I’ve been blind, how could I forget his persistent ear bashing of the industry over the last 3 years for not following Vodafone’s ‘all you can eat’ mobile internet packages – designed to show to the consumer that 3G and its later versions are good for you and that there’s no better communications platform.
Does this mean as of today he’ll lead the industry by example and drop mobile data charges in exchange for customer loyalty for fear of a massive exodus (I’m hyping it slightly) to Wifi based phones over metro level WiMAX? – I’ll check my RSS feeds for news, but don’t hold your breath 😉
Thoughts?
WTF?
Maybe because VF haven’t invested that much in 3G (hence 3G network share deal) they are happy to rip out all that messy network stuff and start over.
Maybe they have realised that a flat(ish) IP architecture is required to deliver mobile internet, or maybe he was paid to say that and we’ll see him off to head up Lucre-Alcatel or Eric & Son or No£ia sometime soon. The salivating from vendors at the thought of accellerating the next multi-Zn rollout wave must have been audible in its droolishness. Kleenex in isle seven, please….
And exactly where are the Injun’s, Arun? Do you mean the WiMax-forum’s own globally-forecast 11M WiMax users by 2011? Or the municipal WiFi hordes gathering under yonder lamppost in the rain (cos Muni-Fi don’t work indoors, darn them pesky laws of physics), shredding their 3G data contracts with glee?
Let’s see: 1Bn 3G users vs 11M WiMax users. Yep. That’s a cracker reason to tell your financiers that your 15-year RoI cycle just shrunk to 5. D’oh!
Time for a lie-down methinks…
WOO YAY, Way to go Ed.
Bit heavy on Arun though, he is a GREAT guy, he could mentor so many of us ’emerging’ talents in the web/mobile scene.
I just love his business accumen.
“Let’s get into emerging markets”
– Yes Boss, great Idea
“Let’s buy Hutch Essar”
– Inspired idea Boss
“Let’s pay about $11.1 Billion for it
– What a bargain Boss
Boss, One question………………………….
Why are we paying the equivalent of $835 per customer when the monthly ARPU [revenue] is only $9.40 for each one?
“Worry not my little Red jacketed executives. We will make bold new industries for India, we will help all of India to become rich beyond their wildest dreams and then they will buy our latest all you can eat Vindaloo data tariffs – we will make India the new world……………….and then paint it red”
Ooohhh……………this hurts so much
Loopy stikes again.
As my mate Arnold says “I’ll be back………………………….”