can you hear me now, Ivan?

Today's SF Chron (and thus the SF Gate) has a mind-boggling story on Ivan Seidenberg, CEO of Verizon, the largest US carrier and the parent of Verizon Wireless. Presumably you've seen the ads with the "Can you hear me now?" guy, right? ("Good!") The clear implication is that anywhere you go, even in the remotest regions, Verizon has great wireless coverage. So what's with this?

Seidenberg, for instance, said people often complain about mobile phone service because they have unrealistic expectations about a wireless service working everywhere. Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon and Vodafone, is the state's largest mobile phone provider.

"Why in the world would you think your (cell) phone would work in your house?" he said. "The customer has come to expect so much. They want it to work in the elevator; they want it to work in the basement."

Um, yeah. Those darn customers, they just want stuff to work.

Oh, and here's Seidenberg on San Francisco's plan to build a free community Wifi network: "That could be one of the dumbest ideas I've ever heard.''

This guy is such a fine example of arrogance on parade. Many thanks to the Chron for getting Mr. Seidenberg to speak candidly, so that we can all see the finely honed inner workings of this high-powered executive mind.

Posted by Gene at April 16, 2005 10:57 PM