A call to action

In case you hadn't noticed, the telecom industry is under siege. Financial analysts and journalists, in their ongoing coverage of the sector's long decline, are hinting that it's a dead--or at least dying--industry. In just about everything recently written about telecom, adjectives such as "long-suffering" and "beleaguered" precede any mention of this industry. New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is flushing out the financial bad guys and, in doing so, reminding everyone of the lows to which this industry has sunk.

All of the above may be warranted, given the circumstances. But my question is this: Why is no one in telecom fighting back? Why is no one saying, publicly and loudly, that to characterize the telecom industry as virtually defunct is absolutely wrong? Why is there no more touting of technological innovation--no more strutting of stuff? What happened to the good-natured braggadocio that once made this industry exciting and vibrant? Where's the competitive fervor--the will to win? Has everyone given up, or become absolutely apathetic?

The telecom industry has its collective head in the sand. Very little is being done to protect, let alone reclaim, the reputation of this technologically advanced industry. Even the most outspoken of telecom's visionaries have abandoned their bully pulpits. Yes, times are tough. Economic and competitive circumstances for companies in various sectors have changed dramatically. So the best response the telecom industry can come up with is... nothing?

It's time for the most aggressive and committed business and thought leaders in telecom to stand up and defend this industry. Let the rest of the business world, and the world at large, know that you are still innovative, and that the technologies you invent and the services you offer are a vital part of the national economy and will not--can not--go away. Propose solutions that will kick-start the arrested development of the telecom industry. Make sure, by your actions, that the world becomes a broadband one.

If you don't do it, who will?

E-mail me at jmeyers@primediabusiness.com.