Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Jazz
مجموع سنوات الخبرة :31 years, 8 أشهر
Jazz is owned by the Veon Group. It is the largest mobile operator in Pakistan with over 38 million subscribers
Started as CTIO from July 1st 2015 taking over complete Technology domain including Network and IT with a staff of over 800 and capex of over 240 million usd.
During the past 12 months driving the following key strategic as well as operational projects. Few of these have been completed and delivered:
• Transformation and reorg of the Technology Organization
• Virtualization of IT data center and storage consolidation
• Network Swap of over 5000 sites
• Roll out of over 3000 3G NodeBs.
• Optimization of transmission network including first 100Gbps lambda OTN DWDM network in the country
• Reduced IT Opex by over 3 million usd by optimizing support contracts.
• Lead BU for Vimplecom in deploying NFV ready vMessaging Platform
• Leading Group RFQ for NFVI and vEPC
Led the global rfq for the new Digital BSS stack for 11 countries. Being the only CTO with IT background and having prior experience with billing swap, was made Steer Co member along with CEOs. This was the biggest rfq of Vimplecom’s history valued over 1.2 billion USD. Scope included Billing, CRM, Order Management, Big Data, SDP, Campaign Management and also Managed Services. Responsible for presenting the progress to the Board
lead the design phase for the merger of network with another operator acquired by Mobilink early this year. The design includes network and IT systems merge maximizing synergy savings and improving network quality and customer experience at touchpoints.
Leading Network and end-user IT outsourcing projects with very ambitious opex reduction targets.
Successfully completed the merger of 2 networks including Technology organization and now managing a 13500 site 2G/3G/4G network with over 53 millions subs.
Led the transition of 11000 towers towards a TowerCo ensuring business continuity and network availability. The transaction was worth 980 million USD.
Dtac is part of Telenor Group with over 23 million subscribers and revenue of over 3 billion in 2013. It’s the second largest operator in Thailand.
Took over the position of CTO moving from Telenor Pakistan end of April 2011. Currently heading following projects:
• Network swap of over 10, 500 2G sites from NSN to Ericsson and Huawei
• Complete swap of core network from NSN to Ericsson
• 3G 850 rollout of 5200 sites
• SteerCom member of Converged Billing/IN swap for 3 countries (Thailand, Pakistan and Malaysia). Heading the Project from Dtac. Prepaid successfully swaped
• Leading IT transformation project in Dtac. Rolling out new CRM, order management and BI infrastructure
• Deploying Huawei SDP, the first of its kind in the Telenor group.
• Network managed services RFQ floated Q4 2012.
• IT transformation project with AD/AM outsourcing for multiple OpCos in the group.
• Reorganization of the Technology Division with over 1400 employees focusing on leadership expectations, accountability, ownership and growth in designing the new organization
• 3G 2100 rollout of 11, 00 sites
• Launch of LTE network in Bangkok using 2100 spectrum
Dtac’s 3G launch during October 2011 was one of the most successful launches in Thailand. Delivering quality to the customers and making Dtac the leading provider of Mobile Internet. During past year, Dtac experienced 8 fold growth is data traffic. Over 70% of the 2G swap has been completed by the end of September 2012 making Dtac the best in 2G voice and EDGE quality and availability. A 3rd party survey of 2G and 3G services quality and availability placed Dtac as the top operator for 2G and close 2nd place for 3G.
Leading Telenor’s Industrialization Agenda for Dtac, leveraging on regional and global synergies with other Telenor OpCos.
Heading a very ambitious Customer Centricity project along with CEO and CMO implementing NPS as the KPI with aggressive targets.
Took over as the Chief Technology Officer at the end of 2008 heading the combined IT and Technical Divisions, including Core Network Planning and Operation, Real Estate and Site Acquisition, Network Rollout, RF Planning, Technology Strategy and the previous functions of IT Division. Successfully merged the 2 divisions by creating a new structure taking advantage of synergies.
Closed first year as the CTO by achieving highest ever network KPIs while reducing overall Opex by over 20%.
Leading new Division with total headcount of over 850 and budget of over $500 million for 2009/2010.
.Also headed the technology track and was member of Steering Committee for the project of acquiring one of the other operators with over 10 million customer base. Workied with McKenzie on planning the technology integration of the MergedCo as well as finalizing the target network architecture and the organization.
Significant Contributions:
•Developed and implemented a corporate-wide IT governance policy to control technology expenditures that reduced IT expenses 25% in its first year.
•Delivered record availability of the high transaction IT infrastructure including CRM and Billing. Data center environment achieved a 99.93% reliability, while the LAN/WAN system completed the year with a 99.94% availability.
•Developed and implemented a selective outsource strategy for IT maintenance resulting in savings of 10% and more effective use of internal staff for high priority business initiatives.
•Established e-business strategy and implemented complete overhaul of web architecture resulting in more customer online functionality.
•Strong project management skills have resulted in 100% of software development projects being delivered on time and within budget since launch of operations.
•Key role in the GSM contact evaluation and negotiations.
•Planning of a consolidated data center as the start of a merged IT and Technical Division
Telenor is one of the largest mobile operators worldwide with ownership interests in 12 mobile operators across Europe and Asia, constituting a total subscriber base of 82.7 million at year-end 2005.
Telenor Pakistan is a 100% own subsidiary of Telenor which started GSM services in March 2005 with current customer base of over 25 million subs.
Joined as VP/CIO in June 2004 to direct the activities of pre-launch IT organization supporting a billion dollar+ Cellular Organization. Oversaw all of the IT personnel hiring, infrastructure, telecommunications and networks, call center support, BI and DWH, and application development needs. Served as chief architect for the development of the combined IT infrastructure. Responsible for over 200 staff.
Played key role in the successful launch of the operation including end to end BSS integration with all network elements, VAS and Call Center Operations.
Reduced overall spending by over 25% during the second year of operation by aligning technology with business needs and requirements and by bringing more operational control in-house. This also gave TP the flexibility to reduce time to market of new products and services.
Key contributor to the overall Technology direction at TP. Played key role as member of the Steering Committee for the evaluation of phase4 of GSM expansion RFQ valued over $500 million.
Key member of the TP Investment Committee as well the Product Forum due to deep understanding of the complete value chain including IT, Technical and Commercial. These 2 groups are responsible for the Commercial and Technical Direction of the organization.
Planned and executed the merger of IT and Technical Divisions. Heading the first phase of this merger with the introduction of a consolidated data center hosting all platforms currently divided between the 2 Divisions.
Part of the team responsible for the evaluation of introduction of a new Core and BSS vendor into the Telenor portfolio.
Celtel International is licensed by 14 African countries to provide telecom services to 250 million people.
Headed the IT department with staff of over 60, for this Celtel fixed line operation, including the billing group and the data network staff running TTCL’s ISP services.
Lead the IN deployment project for TTCL for the first time launch of prepaid fixed line services. The project included integration with the billing system, mediation device, deploying a fraud management system and setting up a call center.
Lead the IN deployment project for TTCL for the first time launch of prepaid fixed line services. The project included integration with the billing system, mediation device, deploying a fraud management system and setting up a call center.
• Reduced IT department’s annual operating expenses resulting in a net savings of $360, 000 by bringing outsourced services in-house.
• Designed, implemented and provided managerial oversight for all disaster recovery and business continuity solutions.
• Motivated direct reports and instilled a culture of teamwork along with keeping a solid focus on relevant business metrics.
Responsible for the IT department with staff of over 50 including infrastructure, network operations, help desk and billing operations.
Set information management strategy and direction for rapidly growing GSM provider.
Manage systems development, deployment and operations. Define and implement all infrastructure. Manage all internal and outsourced IT projects within approved budgets.
Successfully planned the deployment of IT infrastructure to enable expansion from 500K subs to 1.7 million subs. Lead team in defining business process and selection of IT solutions. Led GPRS and MMS deployment teams.
Key Projects and Achievements:
• Led the successful deployment of GPRS
• Reduced the spending on billing system licenses by $2million.
• Successfully deployed the first MMS solution in Pakistan
• Implemented IT policies and procedures.
• Managed the redesign and deployment of the data network with proper security in place.
• Successfully created the RFP for IT for the expansion project to 1.7 million subs.
Western Wireless International (WWI) Corporation is a provider of wireless communications services worldwide. Through the 1st quarter 2002, WWI operating companies served a total of 1.67 million customers and held licenses in ten countries.
Responsible for establishing and managing the IT infrastructure and a staff of 30 personnel. Developed a project roadmap and planning of over $10 Million budget for IT. Finalized the billing vendor selection in coordination with Marketing and Customer Services. Selected and deployed a whole suite of other Operational Support Systems: Fraud, Inventory, Human Resources, Sales, IVRs, Call Centers, etc.
Key Projects and Achievements:
• Oversight of the vendor selection and management process, contract negotiations, project management.
• Led the pre-launch task forces for the implementation of the billing system.
• Played key role in the deployment of Lucent network infrastructure including the IN platform from Lucent.
• Direct due diligence and procurement of all IT related areas.
• Strategic planning and development for Information Systems in a growing corporation.
• Reduced spending on IT and Telephony expenses by over $130, 000 during the first year.
• Instituted security standards for the corporation including Disaster Recovery / Business Recovery Plan.
• Budgetary Forecasting for Information Technology.
Directed the implementation and introduction of new wireless internet technologies (GPRS, WAP, SMS, Web/WAP portals). Conducted a standardization process for the establishment of a highly detailed commercial intelligence systems based on Data Warehousing and Data Mining. Managed a staff of 86 including IN and GPRS engineers. Was Responsible for the IT budget of over $20 million for first year and $15 million for the second.
Key Projects and Achievements:
• Planned and launched ISP during second year of operations including the final selection and purchasing of the software and hardware vendors.
• Played key role in helping Marketing on selecting the services for launch including the launch of e-commerce and m-commerce.
• Established the strategic introduction of new technologies into the cellular operations at Vipnet.
• Departmental direction and full design, installation, engineering, implementation, support, training, administration and management authority for all IT functions
• Spearheaded transition to highly functional, streamlined and cost effective solutions that have dramatically improved efficiency, decreased expenses, and optimized data integrity and safety.
Reorganized and managed I.S. operations responsible for providing billing and technical support to the corporate office as well as the branch offices. Established the EDP department at branch offices and trained the Customer Care personnel in UNIX and Infocel billing package to handle routine billing queries.
Designed a package to monitor the usage of “International Direct Dialing” facility by customers. This package greatly helped in minimizing the fraudulent use of mobile phones. Defined the requirements for Pakcom and coordinated with the vendor to implement all the customized features of the billing software. Participated in evaluating the billing software for 3 of Millicom Cellular International’s joint ventures. Evaluated various billing packages from different vendors including LHS, AMS, Logica, Kingston SCL etc.
Primary focus included establishing the IT department and a pre-launch budget for this startup, the first GSM operation in Pakistan. Led the billing selection and deployment
project. Was responsible for the hiring of all IT staff. Worked very closely with Siemens on billing and mediation issues. Directed the standardization of a Customer Care and Billing System in the region. Wrote policies and procedure for the IT department.