Randomly Noted

Hans Vestberg, Ericsson’s new CEO, stopped by the newsroom today. The 44-year-old, lean, long-limbed and full of energy, proved very adept at saying a lot without revealing much. Which is his prerogative, of course, an probably the prudent course albeit disappointing to journalists. What does he think about AT&T’s problems accommodating surging iPhone usage? Vestberg doesn’t talk about competitors. What about the increasing hurdles Western companies in China are encountering? Ericsson’s been in China since 1888, Vestberg says in an artful dodge. How did Deutsche Bank’s downgrade of Ericsson shares sit with him? Vestberg respects Deutsche Bank, “We stand strong in our service offering,” etcetera. Don’t get me wrong: it was an enjoyable encounter and that’s because Vestberg is dynamic and good -natured; he also struck me as creative and flexible. Midway through the interview, his phone (a Sony Ericsson Android model) rang; it was the CFO, a role Vestberg previously held for a few years. Yet Vestberg doesn’t seem obsessed with short-term financials. Indeed, he didn’t know the details of Deutsche’s downgrade – a reassuring sign, in my mind, because the boss of a big telecommunications equipment and services provider needs to think big. The mobile universe is expanding at a phenomenal pace. but it appears we won’t see Ericsson make any jumbo acquisitions any time soon. Vestberg says wireless growth will be “organic” even as Ericsson continues to make smaller purchases in services and multi-media.