BS People: Syed Safawi

Pushing for greener telecom towers: new CEO of Viom Networks

As Syed Safawi begins a new chapter in life, he hopes to do his bit to make the world a better place to live in. The former president of RCom’s wireless business who took over as the new CEO of Viom Networks, the country’s second-largest telecom tower company, plans to make towers greener. He wants to adopt alternative energy solutions to fire up telecom towers, which could address a key issue facing tower companies: rising cost of operation due to high fuel costs and pilferage of diesel.

Safawi, who worked with Coco-cola and Bharti Airtel before he joined Reliance Communications, believes that leaders drive change, while managers drive stability. A stickler for punctuality, Safawi is also known for his penchant for presentations. His colleagues often have to prepare elaborate slides and power-points before a meeting with him though it is not clear if power-points help organisations achieve corporte goals.

Safawi has a unique attachment to his birthday on October 11. His wife, Lubna, was born the same day. Extending this coincidence, the couple also got married on the same day. In addition to his birthday, Safawi also shares his passion with stalwarts like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett—that of competitive bridge. Travelling is another passion, and his favourite place is the flamingo nest of Kenya, Lake Nakuru. His biggest moment was when he once caught the scene of a cheetah kill in action. Viom would hope he brings in some of this excitement and passion into the tower business.