SMARTFREN
152 the challenges the company has faced in the last few months . “ COVID-19 has been an unprecedented situation . Most of the challenges have been centred around no longer being able to meet customers face to face . Explaining solutions , products and new ideas via virtual communication environments is not as effective as face to face communication . We are seeing a trend in customers delaying their investments due to market uncertainty . Therefore , the CapEx rollout is getting delayed , which in turn affects the selling of ICT and connectivity due to severe impact on certain industry verticals such as Travel and F & B . When these elements are hampered , there is then a development of cost and revenue pressure .” In addition to cost and revenue pressures , Puneet has experienced challenges relating to engineers being required to fix any problems that may occur .
Looking to the future of the industry , Puneet concludes that “ it looks like COVID-19 will have a long-lasting impact for one or two more years , with the whole ecosystem needing another three to five years to recover
“ COVID-19 has been an unprecedented situation . Most of the challenges have been centred around no longer being able to meet customers face to face ”
— Puneet Garg , CTO Enterprise , smartfren . BUSINESS
DECEMBER 2020