Wireless industry evangelist Luigi Cappel has become a victim of the industry's expected growth.
Cappel, immediate past president of the industry's Wireless Data Forum, was made redundant as head of the business computing division at Rocom Wireless, just before Christmas.
Both he and Rocom executive director Richard Guy see the move as representing progress in the wireless industry as it shifts from development to a sales phase.
Cappel sold his business Mission Control, to Rocom and joined it in October 2000 to re-engineer Rocom towards wireless computing.
“I changed it from a company selling cellphones into a wireless data company that sells cellphones. That project has been completed. I did such a good job, the position has been made redundant and Rocom are a market leader in their sector,” he says.
Cappel will remain with Rocom as a consultant, but is free to work with rivals. Having had 20 years in sales, he did not fancy taking up any of the three sales positions Rocom has just created and filled. Cappel is talking to telcos and resellers about future work and expects to find a job next month.
"Wireless email, for example, is something I am keen to continue with. I am convinced that this will become ubiquitous," he says.
Rocom executive director Richard Guy confirms Cappel’s business development role was no longer needed as the focus of the industry changed.
“Luigi has options to mentor our guys and support on a consultancy basis. He did a superb job,” says Guy.
Guy believes Telecom made similar changes, but this is disputed by its spokewoman Mary Parker.
"We haven't got rid of anybody. Wireless is a growth area. Telecom has people in various roles, ranging from business development managent, engineering and sales. All of these roles are needed," Parker says.