Global One CEO calls it a day
The chief executive of worldwide telecoms operator Global One has quit as the company's future was left hanging in the balance.
Gary Forsee has resigned after less than 18 months in the job. The company said he had left for personal reasons and wanted to pursue other career options.
The resignation follows months of speculation that Global One, a venture between Sprint, Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom, would soon disintegrate.
In a joint statement, the companies confirmed they were, 'exploring alternatives to the three-party venture structure,' but reiterated their commitment to providing services to Global One's multinational customers.
In April, US reports stated that William Esrey, chairman of Sprint, had written to shareholders warning that a decision to end the alliance could come within six weeks. Analysts have suggested that Esrey also gave the board 180 days to come up with a workable budget and strategy to turn the venture around.
Global One has been dogged by reports that it has been held back by the political and cultural differences of its parents, is too European focused and has been losing customers to independent data networking suppliers such as Equant.
Analysts claimed the latest setback could spur on the three operators to try to become the controlling party. Brownlee Thomas, analyst at Giga Information Group, claimed Deutsche Telekom has the most aggressive global expansion plans, and is setting aside $30 billion to buy out France Telecom's share. She said: 'Deutsche Telekom has always followed BT's lead and it wants a global venture now that BT is in an alliance with AT&T. She added that France Telecom was only interested in Europe.
Michel Huet, executive vice president of corporate services, has been appointed chairman of an interim executive committee which will run Global One. The committee includes Fred Rucker, executive vice president of sales and marketing, and Rex Stephenson, executive vice president of global operations.
- US telecoms software start-up Simplified Telesys has opened a UK office to tap into the European Intelligent Network market.
Intelligent Network software is installed on carriers' switches to enable them to offer services such as toll-free numbers and calling cards.
Simplified develops software to enable operators to offer VoIP, local and tandem access, international gateway, and debit and calling card capabilities.
Carriers can also manage functions such as realtime billing, customer service and operations support over the Net.
The UK office will be headed by MCI and Hewlett Packard veteran Ruth Anne Heskine. It will intially employ five people but the headcount will increase to 30 by the end of the year.