Mike Stead of INQ
Technology Strategy
INQ
Hampshire
Biography:
Born. Mucked around a lot in the bush as a child, then got paid to do it in the NZ Army as a technician. Gave that up for a 4X4 and the chance to kill myself on 100kW TV transmitters. Built an awful lot of mobile sites, did a bit of RF engineering, Built a TDD-UMTS network from scratch, launched one of the first EVDO-RevA networks, did some spectrum policy work at the GSMA, then for the last 3 years have been in Technology Strategy at Hutchison Whampoa.
He Says:
We as an industry have no idea what people will be doing with mobile 5 years hence. Look at our track record of spotting success and avoiding clangers: Predicting SMS? industry FAIL. Walled gardens? FAIL. And anyone who thinks they do know where we'll be in 5 is delusional. All we do know is that people love speed, simplicity and elegance. Make it fast, beautiful and engaging, and watch them flock to your handsets or networks. This is why the iPhone struck such a chord, why everyone is copying them like mad. This is why 3's X-Series went off so well, and almost everyone followed. It's easy to come across as a company guy in these sorts of blurbs, but I honestly enjoy working at HWL because we share the same vision of speed, simplicity and elegance. And we get the chance to actually make it happen, to make a difference, to do it for real. Helping launch X-Series in late 2006 was a career high to date.
Living in the UK and working in London really puts you at the heart of the mobile world. There's an amazing amount of innovation going on, and not enough hours in the day to stay across it all (Shameless plug - MIR helps). ......But a part of me would trade it all tomorrow for some muddy boots, a wagon full of tools, driving up Mt Whakapunake in the early morning mist to do battle with a recalcitrant 30 year-old valve transmitter.
We Say:
Mike is never to be caught without at least one of the bleeding edge next generation wireless devices. Extremely well connected and respected universally by all that know him. Not only is he genuinely excited by wireless technology, he is able to bring to bear is considerable technical experience to help explain and inform the lay mobile fan.
Favourite Mobile Application / Service:
3's new FaceBook app.
Most Admired Person In The Mobile Industry:
Ewan MacLeod - seriously chap, for having the balls to can Nokia day in, day out, and mean it, and be able to back it up
Most Admired Company In The Mobile Industry:
Joiku. Those Finns are on to it.
First Phone:
Motorola brick - the really big grey one, not the girly skinny one. With the extended antenna.
Current Phone:
Skypephone S2 + E71 + N95 8GB + 2G iPhone + 3G iphone is what's in my bag every day. I'm a mugger's wet dream.
(Last updated: 2008-12-02 01:52:41)
INQ
Hampshire
Biography:
Born. Mucked around a lot in the bush as a child, then got paid to do it in the NZ Army as a technician. Gave that up for a 4X4 and the chance to kill myself on 100kW TV transmitters. Built an awful lot of mobile sites, did a bit of RF engineering, Built a TDD-UMTS network from scratch, launched one of the first EVDO-RevA networks, did some spectrum policy work at the GSMA, then for the last 3 years have been in Technology Strategy at Hutchison Whampoa.
He Says:
We as an industry have no idea what people will be doing with mobile 5 years hence. Look at our track record of spotting success and avoiding clangers: Predicting SMS? industry FAIL. Walled gardens? FAIL. And anyone who thinks they do know where we'll be in 5 is delusional. All we do know is that people love speed, simplicity and elegance. Make it fast, beautiful and engaging, and watch them flock to your handsets or networks. This is why the iPhone struck such a chord, why everyone is copying them like mad. This is why 3's X-Series went off so well, and almost everyone followed. It's easy to come across as a company guy in these sorts of blurbs, but I honestly enjoy working at HWL because we share the same vision of speed, simplicity and elegance. And we get the chance to actually make it happen, to make a difference, to do it for real. Helping launch X-Series in late 2006 was a career high to date.
Living in the UK and working in London really puts you at the heart of the mobile world. There's an amazing amount of innovation going on, and not enough hours in the day to stay across it all (Shameless plug - MIR helps). ......But a part of me would trade it all tomorrow for some muddy boots, a wagon full of tools, driving up Mt Whakapunake in the early morning mist to do battle with a recalcitrant 30 year-old valve transmitter.
We Say:
Mike is never to be caught without at least one of the bleeding edge next generation wireless devices. Extremely well connected and respected universally by all that know him. Not only is he genuinely excited by wireless technology, he is able to bring to bear is considerable technical experience to help explain and inform the lay mobile fan.
Favourite Mobile Application / Service:
3's new FaceBook app.
Most Admired Person In The Mobile Industry:
Ewan MacLeod - seriously chap, for having the balls to can Nokia day in, day out, and mean it, and be able to back it up
Most Admired Company In The Mobile Industry:
Joiku. Those Finns are on to it.
First Phone:
Motorola brick - the really big grey one, not the girly skinny one. With the extended antenna.
Current Phone:
Skypephone S2 + E71 + N95 8GB + 2G iPhone + 3G iphone is what's in my bag every day. I'm a mugger's wet dream.
(Last updated: 2008-12-02 01:52:41)
