How long have you been with Telefónica and what is your assessment of your time here?
I have two stages in my career at Telefónica. The first, when I was a kid just out of high school, was from 1997 to 2002, in Brazil. I returned to Telefónica in 2007 and since 2013 I have been in the Global CTIO in Spain.
Telefónica is a brave company that faces challenges with determination and a lot of success. It constantly renews itself, without fear of the new and demonstrates year after year that it is on the right path. This spirit of facing the new that Telefónica has inspires me, I also seek to face problems with courage, listening to others and taking that little bit longer step that challenges me more.
Is there any project at Telefónica that you are particularly proud or satisfied with?
The CEDEX IP project was the most challenging and stimulating project I have ever been involved in. I found myself in 2015 in the position of coordinating its implementation, involving 13 Telefonica operations in Latin America plus the Spanish operations and TIWS in Europe.
The objective of the project was to establish a Technical Centre of Excellence for the IP network (CEDEX IP) for the entire group, where all the group’s operators would rely on this centre of technical expertise in IP technology located in Madrid. Although I inherited the initial conception of the project from my colleagues at TISA, I have been responsible for coordinating the planning, implementation and monitoring of the operation of CEDEX IP from my role at Global CTIO. In addition to the considerable effort to establish CEDEX IP, the connections you forge with very committed people are also a valuable reward you earn for a project well done.
What do you think Telefónica has contributed to society?
Telefónica leaves no one behind. As a historic company, it is committed to continuing to work to serve all of society’s diversity and evolves hand in hand with its customers. It always strives to address the different socio-economic realities and to serve people of different profiles. I see Telefónica as having the power to empower, connect and guide its customers into the future.
Where do you see Telefónica in the future?
Telefónica will continue to be a leader in digital transformation and in the evolution of society. Historically, it has always been a pioneer in the adoption of new technologies. I see a management that is very committed to these goals, which leads me to believe that Telefónica will continue to make a difference and have a very positive influence in the technological field, without neglecting its commitment to sustainability and social diversity.
Could you live without a mobile phone?
The short answer is no, I can’t. In my opinion, it is no longer possible to live without a mobile phone – all the ease that this personal device of about 16 x 8 cm offers us is incredible and amazing! My thoughts are on how to use it well. On finding ways to balance its use so that the mobile phone is a tool of ours and not that we are, unconsciously, a tool of it.
In the same way that we force ourselves to eat healthily, we should try to use our mobile phones in a healthy way too. We have to make a conscious use of the mobile phone, look for periods of digital disconnection and establish days and hours to disconnect from the digital world. I think the challenge is to use the mobile in a way that does not impact negatively on personal relationships. We must not allow the convenience of mobile to replace live connections and contact with the real world.
Help us solve one of humanity’s great riddles: the potato omelette… With onion or without onion?
With onion – for me, everything is better with onion! Although I know there may be a multitude of very good arguments against it, I think the onion should always be there to give it flavour and make it more interesting.
Nominate other colleagues to appear in this section
I nominate Miguel Ángel del Arco Vega and Pedro García Parra.
