ARYA KUMAR
Dusseldorf
Summary
- Seasoned Telecom Leader with over 22+ years of diverse experience in Technology and Business leadership, encompassing Program & project management, Network Deployment, Planning & design and integration across leading telecom vendors and CSPs globally across major Telco Vendors and CSPs worldwide.
- Strong Technical Proficiency with deep expertise in Core & RAN solutions across technologies, including 5G SA/NSA, Cloud Core, open RAN, Cloud Native & virtualized Core. Enriched Multi-culture & Multi-Geographic experience across Mobile Operators & Telecom Vendors/Suppliers like Nokia (NSN).
- Strong Communicator and Relationship Builder, adept at engaging with C-suite executives, senior leadership, and diverse stakeholders to drive collaboration, build trust, and align organizational objectives.
- Strong Managerial and Financial Expertise with a demonstrated ability to navigate organizational complexities, influence stakeholders, and deliver results under pressure while meeting tight deadlines in dynamic environments.
- Strategic Deal Closer, experienced in negotiating and securing large, complex deals, driving business growth and long-term partnerships.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Manager & Service Delivery – Core Engineering
Rakuten Symphony
09.2022 - Current
- Program Management & Service Delivery for Cloud-Native Core NW Rollout: Managed timely deployment of cloud-native core applications supporting 5G SA, 5G NSA, and LTE technologies across four data centers (3+1 GR design), ensuring scalability, reliability, and seamless integration with existing network infrastructure
- National Roaming (TEF & Vodafone) & Interconnects: Managed the end-to-end implementation of national roaming and interconnect agreements with major telecom operators, including Telefónica, Vodafone, and Telekom, ensuring robust service coverage and interoperability
- Cross-Functional Collaboration with Engineering : Collaborated seamlessly with cross-domain Engineering teams, including Core , Cloud and BSS, to ensure the successful achievement of critical project milestones
- Vendor Management: Worked closely with multi-vendor partners (Mavenir, TechM) to standardize network design and deployment, ensuring alignment with program objectives and technical specifications
- Program & Project Execution: Delivered the project within stringent timelines and budgets, meeting regulatory compliance and exceeding quality benchmarks
- Stakeholder Engagement: Acted as the primary point of contact for executive stakeholders, driving alignment and addressing program challenges proactively
Key Account Manager
Nokia Solution & Networks
04.2018 - 08.2022
- Account Management: Successfully built and managed the Ooredoo Myanmar Limited (OML) account, achieving $55M in annual revenue while driving account growth through consultative selling, Core & RAN solutions and Managed Services for Network Operations & Security (SoC).
- Enterprise IoT Solutions: Partnered with OML for Enterprise Solutions to offer Nokia IoT Solution (WING - Cloud Hosted Managed Service) and help develop IoT use cases to drive Enterprise business growth in Myanmar.
- Contract Management: Negotiate Contractual terms & conditions negotiations with Vendors & customers, ensuring favorable agreements that supported business objectives
- Strategic Partnering: Collaborated with MNOs to understand key business drivers and pain points, positioning Nokia as a trusted technology partner and creating tailored business growth strategies.
- Solution Positioning: Promoted Nokia’s solutions and products (RAN, Core, IP, Enterprise, Security, Cloud & Managed Services) to Ooredoo’s technology and business teams, aligning solutions with CSPs needs and objectives
- Customer Relationship Management: Established and nurtured strong relationships with Ooredoo's senior and mid-management teams, including CxOs and Directors, ensuring alignment with customer goals and priorities
- RFP/Bid Leadership: Led the development of RFPs and bids in collaboration with Business Groups (BGs) and Customer Business Teams (CBTs) in Doha, devising winning strategies and execution plans
- Business Development: Proactively identified and pursued new opportunities within other CSP accounts in Myanmar, expanding market presence and fostering long-term growth
General Manager, Technology
Tata Docomo - TTSL
06.2016 - 04.2018
- Head, LTE Core Rollout & Evolving Technology
- NW Strategic Planning: Design and development of network architecture, network evolution roadmaps, and strategies for adopting new and emerging technologies.
- Vendor Management: Close collaboration with vendors for LTE and IMS to ensure standardization of core network planning and design across multi-vendor domains and projects
- Project Management: Oversight of LTE and IMS rollout projects, ensuring timely and seamless implementation
- Network Security: Planning and designing robust security measures for the core network, enhancing detection and mitigation of malicious traffic floods, DoS attacks, and accidental misconfigurations
- Cost Optimization: Implementation of CAPEX and OPEX reduction programs through data center consolidation and network modernization initiatives
- Technology Evolution Roadmap: Formulation of network strategies and execution of trials for evolving technologies
Head, Core & VAS Engineering
Ooredoo Myanmar
12.2013 - 06.2016
- Core Engineering: Led end-to-end project management for LTE and Core Network deployment with Nokia (NSN) as prime vendor , including Enhanced Packet Core (vEPC, vIMS) and CS Core nodes, ensuring timely and seamless implementation
- Green Field Network deployment - Spearheaded strategic planning and design of network architecture, creating comprehensive network evolution roadmaps and strategies for core network rollout in greenfield network deployments
- Vendor Management – Managed vendor relationships with NOKIA (NSN) to ensure the overall Managed services & Operations responsibility, compliance & standardization of network design across multi-vendor domains and projects, optimizing efficiency and consistency.
- Contract Management - Contractial T&C nego & compliance with partners like Nokia (NSN) as Core NW Supplier (HW/SW/Services) and Managed Service Partner.
- Interconnects & Bi-lateral Roaming Agreements integration & delivery.
- Solution Architecture – Maintained a holistic view of network architecture, ensuring close coordination between multiple vendors to guarantee interoperability and compatibility of products and platforms
- End-to-End Network Design & Planning: Managed and delivered complete network design and planning solutions for the OM Core/VAS network, including critical components such as MSS, MGW, ONDS, HLR, SBC, STP, SGSN, GGSN, PCRF, DNS, firewall, caching, and VAS
- Testing & Quality Assurance: Planned, executed, and supported various testing regimes (IOT, UAT, FUT, BSIM) before commercial launch, identifying network defects and ensuring timely resolution to guarantee smooth deployment
Senior Consultant – LTE/3G/2G Core Network
Nokia (NSN) - Glotel International
04.2006 - 03.2013
- Senior Network Expert for Nokia (NSN) projects.
- Projects undertaken with Nokia (NSN):
- [1] Nokia (NSN) AZERBAIJAN (Azerfon Project – May 2012 to Mar 2013): Responsibilities: Senior Project & Technical Manager for Core NW Expansion (CS & PS Core)
- [2] Nokia (NSN) TURKMENISTAN (TMCell Project – July 2011 to March 2012): Responsibilities: Planning & Design Manager for Core Network Expansion
- [3] Nokia (NSN) TURKEY (Vodafone Project – April 2011 to June 2011): Responsibilities: Project Manager for Data Centre migration
- [4] Nokia (NSN) SOUTH AFRICA (Vodacom Project – Oct 2009 to Sep 2010): Responsibilities: Network Optimisation & Audit Specialist before FIFA WC 2010
- [5] NSN UZBEKISTAN (UCell Project – Feb 2008 to August 2009): Responsibilities: Core Network Project & NW Planning Manager for Core & RAN NW Swap
- [6] Nokia (NSN) SERBIA (Telelom Srbija – August 2007 to Jan 2008): Responsibilities: Core Network Design & Planning
- [7] Nokia (NSN) TURKEY (Turkcell Project – Mar 2007 to Aug 2007): Responsibilities: Technical Project Manager – 3G Trial (Multivendor)
- [8] Nokia (NSN)VENEZUELA (Telefonica Movistar Project – Sep 2006 to Mar 2007): Responsibilities: Core Network Integration Specialist for Greenfield Deploy
- [9] Nokia (NSN) COLOMBIA (Comcel Project – June 2006 to Sep 2006): Responsibilities: Core Specialist (MSS, MGW, SGSN, GGSN)
- [10] Nokia (NSN)ECUADOR (Porta & Telefonica Project – Apr 2006 to June 2006): Responsibilities: Rel 4 CS Core Specialist (MSS, MGW, HLR)
Product Specialist – IN, SMSC, VMS
Comverse Network Systems
06.2005 - 04.2006
- Integration, deployment & L2/L3 support for VAS Nodes (SMSC, IN, VMS)
Senior Engineer, Core Network – MSC, HLR, VAS, NetAct, BSS
Idea Cellular Comm Ltd
06.2003 - 06.2005
- Integration and O&M for the Core Network nodes (Nokia - NSN)
Education
Bachelor of Technology - Electronics &Communication
GGSIP University
New Delhi, India05.2003
Skills
- Program Management
- Technical Project Management
- Core Engineering
- Account Management
- Vendor Management
- Contract Management
- 5G Core, LTE, Cloud, NW Security
- IoT & Enterprise Solutions
- NW Evolution Strategy & Roadmap
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Hindi
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
German
Elementary (A2)
Timeline
Program Manager & Service Delivery – Core Engineering
Rakuten Symphony
09.2022 - Current
Key Account Manager
Nokia Solution & Networks
04.2018 - 08.2022
General Manager, Technology
Tata Docomo - TTSL
06.2016 - 04.2018
Head, Core & VAS Engineering
Ooredoo Myanmar
12.2013 - 06.2016
Senior Consultant – LTE/3G/2G Core Network
Nokia (NSN) - Glotel International
04.2006 - 03.2013
Product Specialist – IN, SMSC, VMS
Comverse Network Systems
06.2005 - 04.2006
Senior Engineer, Core Network – MSC, HLR, VAS, NetAct, BSS
Idea Cellular Comm Ltd
06.2003 - 06.2005
Bachelor of Technology - Electronics &Communication
GGSIP University
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