IIA Infrastructure Debate 2nd May 2002

Jpaulik

Got this from an IIA mailing list.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEBATE
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Venue: Arthouse, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Date: Thursday 2nd May 2002
Time: 6.00pm registration for 6.30pm start
Cost: FREE to IIA Members. Non-Members EUR20.00
payable on door

Sponsored by:

COLT Telecom
http://www.colt-telecom.ie

Brief:

The event will begin with a brief presentation setting
the scene of
Infrastructure in Ireland. This will be followed by an
interactive
audience/panel discussion tackling infrastructure
issues in Ireland.
Attendees will also be given an opportunity to submit
questions to the
event chair before the event. Attend this event and
have your say on
this critical Irish issue.

Panelists:

Karlin Lillington, The Irish Times
Niall O'Donnchu, Department of Public Enterprise
Gary Keogh, COLT Telecom
Soula Evans, Eircom
John Doherty, ODTR
Declan Hughes, Forfas


Event Chair: Colm Reilly, IIA

Register:
Members Free, non members EUR20.00 @ the door
mailto:events@iia.ie?subject=Register_2_May_Dublin_Event
or
mailto:events@iia.ie
with "Register for 2 May Dublin Event" in subject field

sceptre

Soula Evans is a marketing stooge.

I'm not trying to put off anyone going by any means (I'm genuinely sure it will be an interesting evening), but if you think you'll get a single knowledgable answer out of that woman with regard to the technologies, provision of same, timetables for provision of same or anything else useful, you will be waiting.

Now, while I'm not saying she's an idiot by any means, she does a very good impression of one.

It won't matter if the rest of the panel figure out the woman hasn't a clue - she will go away without having realised it.

The woman is a liability for Eircom in such a setting. They may get away without substantially answering any questions on the basis of her "not being a technical person... but 47% of the Irish people have no interest in the Internet" (direct quotes - and I have them on tape) but Soula manages to give the impression on behalf of her company that they believe they can fob off their customers with gormless ignorance (particularly when they're still sending her to these things).


(note: the above message has been swept for libel and slander and has been found to contain neither (particularly on the basis that something can't be libellous if it's true)

aidan_dunne

I agree with you, sceptre. What's the betting that Soula will use this debate as another chance for Eircom to re-hash the things we heard about at the seminar, we've read about in the press, heard on TV and radio, heard on Gareth O' Callaghan's radio show on 2FM yesterday, etc., etc.

I don't actually think that Eircom have the imagination to come up with anything new to say, at this stage. Whenever anyone asks them any kind of question they seem to reply with exactly the same press release and statistics as before.

I bet if you asked an Eircom representative what the time was the conversation would go something like this:

You: "Excuse me, do you have the time?"

Eircom Rep.: "47% of the population have no interest in the internet. Flat-rate internet access is not commercially viable. Who needs DSL when you can use our fantastic Hi-Speed service!"

You: "Ummm, sorry, I wanted to know what time it was?"

E.R.: "The loops have been unbundled since last year and Eircom cannot be held responsible if none of the other operators want to use this service."

You: "No, you don't seem to understand the question. What time is it, please?"

E.R.: "Well you don't seem to understand the complexities of the telecommunications industry. Stop picking on us. We're just poor little Eircom, struggling to make ends meet. Why oh why is everyone against us. I'm tired of this conversation now and I'm leaving. Goodbye!"

This isn't a joke, folks. I'm serious. This is the way Eircom employees seem to have been trained to answer any kind of question the are asked nowadays.

dahamsta

It was a joke. And it was funny too.

adam

jmcc

Originally posted by Jpaulik
Got this from an IIA mailing list.
Attendees will also be given an opportunity to submit
questions to the
event chair before the event.

Forgive me for being cynical but I think that IIA does not want to embarrass any of the panel with complex and loaded questions - hence the preselection of questions. It has the potential for conflict hence Eircom sends a marketing droid in the hope (Largely justified as Eircom has sponsored IIA events in the past.) that IIA will give them an easy time. As for IIA, most of their actions seem as effective as a philosophers' strike. [1]

Regards...jmcc
[1] ObRef: HHGTG

infomat

Originally posted by sceptre
Soula Evans is a marketing stooge.

I'm not trying to put off anyone going by any means (I'm genuinely sure it will be an interesting evening), but if you think you'll get a single knowledgable answer out of that woman with regard to the technologies, provision of same, timetables for provision of same or anything else useful, you will be waiting.




(note: the above message has been swept for libel and slander and has been found to contain neither (particularly on the basis that something can't be libellous if it's true)

I must admit that when I saw that Soula Evans was listed I decided not to waste my time attending. I am not willing to pay to have that lady insult my intelligence.