Prime Networks MD and comms industry TV pundit Adrian Barnard has completed a busy round of BBC TV and radio appearances today commenting on the collapse of Phones 4U.
The mobile phone retailer has entered administration after losing its Vodafone contract earlier this month. Its remaining partner, EE, has confirmed that it will not renew its contract which ends in September next year.
Barnard told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that it's possible Phones 4U could be sold back to its previous owner, John Caudwell, who founded Phones 4U and sold it in 2006 for £1.5bn.
"There's been talk from the seller, the previous owner, John Caudwell, about how this is a travesty and they've been forced out of business. Perhaps this tragedy would welcome someone coming back in and being a hero to these members of staff."
He told BBC Breakfast: "The problem for Phones 4U is that its biggest supplier is its biggest competitor. Mobile operators have their own high street shops. There's less money in the trade and the industry has responded by going direct. The tragedy is, of course, it's running up to Christmas and there's 6,000 jobs at risk.
"It's surprising that the managers of Phones 4U had not lined up one of the operators as their key supplier. Now they have none."