How long have you been with Telefónica and what is your assessment of your time here?
I joined Telefónica as an intern at the end of the last century, in April 1999 to be precise. The following year as an employee, so I’ve been there for almost 25 years. During this time I have experienced first-hand the evolution of connectivity and its associated technology, from an incipient ADSL that did not yet have global coverage to the explosion of fibre that we are experiencing now.
Is there any project at Telefónica that you are particularly proud or satisfied with?
Actually, it was a small project that we carried out between two colleagues. In the wholesale area we had a problem: there were many faults that we sent people to resolve and it turned out that the cause of the fault was something that the operators had done wrong, such as a wrong configuration on their part or that a cable had come loose. We proposed to charge for these breakdowns on a customer cause basis and the Regulator agreed. It was not a lot of money per fault, but we got the operators to check properly when something was not working before notifying us. It was not so much to increase revenue, which we did, but to save travel costs for our staff or contractors.
What do you think Telefónica has contributed to society?
Telefónica is essential to society in many ways, from the obvious connectivity or technological innovation, to more indirect aspects such as job creation or economic development, including the development of other businesses through its services. It also facilitates access to information for all types of people, regardless of age or social background, with a significant impact on their education, health and personal and community development.
Where do you see Telefónica in the future?
Always at the forefront of innovation or hand in hand with the most innovative companies. Telefónica’s vocation is to be at the heart of technological innovation and it will be there.
Could you live without a mobile phone?
Not at the moment. It is a kind of umbilical cord with the rest of the world. It serves both for work and for connecting with the people around you. But you have to know how to use it as a tool, as a medium, and not be tied to it. It is essential but not the centre of my existence.
Help us solve one of the great enigmas of humanity: the potato omelette… With or without onion?
What a mania for dividing people! I like it without onion, but I don’t want to impose it on anyone. Everyone has their own tastes and should be free to express them without fear of what those who think otherwise might say.
Nominate another colleague to appear in this section
Carlota Calvo, you are nominated.
