Quiz Show!
January 19, 2010
I try to avoid politics unless they are related to Telecom. Today I am providing a two part commentary…the first part is a Telecom quiz question and the second one turns its attention to Wall Street greed and our tax money.
Part I: Telecom quiz question (the answer follows at the end of the post)
What percentage of market share does the Apple iPhone have based upon the entire base of all wireless subscribers?
Why ask this question? Everywhere you turn these days, the iPhone is touted as the greatest invention since sliced bread. The iPhone allegedly is the dominant wireless device – it dances, makes coffee, slices, dices, and predicts the future. The iPhone’s surging popularity and ever-growing demand has caused major wireless network bottlenecks due to its popularity. Furthermore, the iPhone has no competition. And I could go on and on, based on what is written in the trade rags and analysts’ reports.
# # #
Part II: On to the next subject – it was above the fold in Friday’s (01/14/10) Wall Street Journal.
The first: “Banks Set for Record Pay – Top 38 Firms on Pace to Award $145 billion for ’09, Up 18%, WSJ Study Finds”
The second: “Haitian Rescue Stymied Amid Chaos”
Last I had heard, our tax money had bailed most banks out of default… like Chapter 7 default with children yet to be born owing on the debt. Why? Because they are greedy bastards and could care less about America – the focus is, and has always been, on financial narcissism for this year’s Wall Street bonus. I’d like to hear from you if you believe I am mistaken.
The $145 billion is, essentially, fat bonus pay after we bailed their asses out of bankruptcy. It has been reported the average bonus is in excess of $600,000.00. The Big Shots (aka Really Smart Guys) received bonus bucks to the tune of tens of millions of dollars.
Too big to fail? More like a bonus pool too big to hand out…
The American tax payers now own a significant amount of these banks on an equity and debt basis. Where is our voice? Where is the transparency?
Last night, President Obama announced that the United States has committed immediate aid to Haiti in the amount of $100 million. Do you see the dichotomy in this scenario? Yes, Haiti is an odd place and corrupt. But to quote United States Attorney General and tax cheat Eric Holder, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”
If I was the President, I would issue an executive order to cut these bonuses in half (or more). Then I would take $70 billion and place it into private sector hands to restore Haiti and actually build infrastructure and buildings that are designed to withstand earthquakes and hurricanes. I think $70 billion would go a long way – maybe even far enough to help a legitimate government formed along with policing power to root out the warlords and rampant corruption in Haiti.
Do not give a dime of it to the United Nations – they will want a “taste” (to borrow a phrase from Tony Soprano). Additionally, allocate $1.5 billion of the $70 billion and hire two reputable accounting firms to track every dime and oversee all disbursements and budgets. These firms would also be in charge of the infamous “change order” construction scams that accompany any change in funding or funds granted for a given project. Why would you need two accounting firms? Just take a look at how our banking system got screwed up – you need at least two to keep each other honest.
I am not affiliated with any political party. But somehow, there is an imbalance of priority and moral obligation staring us in the face. It’s above the fold on the front page of the Wall Street Journal today.
# # #
Now, without further ado, here is the answer to our quiz about the Apple IPhone market share and media hype. If you said 50%, you are wrong!
From The Nielsen Company:
1. Apple IPhone 4.0%
2. RIM Blackberry 8300 series 3.7%
3. Motorola Razr VS series 2.3%
4. LG VX9100 2.1%
5. LG Voyageur 1.7%
6. Samsung SPH (Rant) 1.5%
7. RIM Blackberry 9530 series 1.4%
8. LG VX9700 1.3%
9. LG Vu series 1.3%
10. RIM Blackberry 8100 series 1.2%
How do you like those Apples?
Written by Dave Rusin - Telecom Executive
Posted by wbrache | Filed Under Dave's Corner, Telecommunications industry
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