Senior Lead – Network Planning and QA - VCTI Pvt Ltd - Bangalore, India
(2022-05)
Lead architecture, planning, design, and optimization of FTTx and telecom network infrastructure, delivering scalable, high-availability broadband and access network solutions aligned with business objectives.
- Perform pole line detection and AI-based analysis to identify usable poles and aerial/underground (UG) routes for FTTx network builds.
- Conduct data mining, exploration, and validation for FTTx networks as part of pre-planning activities.
- Perform wireless network planning and optimization for 4G/5G networks using SignalPro, including RF coverage analysis, propagation modelling, feasibility studies, capacity planning, and site selection.
- Own technical solution design, proposal development, architecture documentation, and customer-facing technical presentations.
- Maintain documentation of network architecture standards, deployment methodologies, and operational best practices.
- Lead and mentor cross-functional teams across planning, design, and operations, managing 20+ resources based on Project requirements.
- Provide expert-level troubleshooting, root cause analysis (RCA), and critical incident management for complex, escalated network issues to prevent recurring service disruptions.
- Monitor and optimize network performance through capacity planning, network analytics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Develop and deliver High-Level Design (HLD), Low-Level Design (LLD), and As-Built design documentation for FTTx network architecture, ensuring alignment with deployment standards, operational requirements, and accurate as-built records.
- Serve as subject matter expert in splice sheet report creation for FTTH networks, producing detailed splicing schematics, fiber assignment plans, and ODN documentation to support accurate network deployment and end-to-end traceability.
- Led and delivered BEAD and BIO grant-funded projects for multiple US internet service providers, managing end-to-end network planning, design, and compliance requirements for rural broadband expansion initiatives.
Assistant Manager – FTTH Network Planning, Design & Deployment - Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd - Trivandrum, India
(2018-04 - 2022-04)
Designed and delivered end-to-end FTTx GPON network plans for aerial and underground deployments using AutoCAD and COMSOF FiberPlanIT, producing Civil Designs, ODN Designs, Splicing Schematics, and Construction Release Packages for commercial rollout programs.
- Developed and validated detailed network architecture and engineering designs in compliance with telecom standards and deployment guidelines, minimizing construction rework, project risks, and implementation delays.
- Generated and managed Bill of Materials (BOM), Bill of Quantities (BOQ), CAPEX estimates, and OPEX optimization models to support investment planning, cost control, and operational efficiency initiatives.
- Led capacity planning and network expansion activities, including OLT port utilization analysis, line card augmentation, primary and secondary splitter optimization, and patching plan development based on OTDR validation and route acceptance results.
- Conducted In-Building Design (IBD) surveys for Multi-Dwelling Units (MDUs), high-rise residential, and commercial buildings, delivering customized fiber distribution network designs and infrastructure placement strategies.
- Performed network quality assurance audits for passive fiber infrastructure, civil construction activities, and OLT site readiness to ensure compliance with engineering standards, quality benchmarks, and deployment requirements.
- Managed network inventory and as-built data migration into Ericsson Network Engineer (NE) and Granite platforms, enabling accurate asset management, network monitoring, and lifecycle maintenance.
- Led Annual Operating Plan (AOP) reviews, end-to-end solution assessments, and technical feasibility studies for network expansion, modernization programs, and value-added service initiatives under the K2 governance framework.
- Conducted technical and financial evaluations for new telecom infrastructure projects, supporting business case development, investment decisions, and strategic network planning.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams, contractors, vendors, and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring successful execution, deployment, acceptance, and operational handover.
- Managed construction and deployment teams during rollout activities, overseeing project delivery, risk mitigation, quality compliance, and documentation management from planning through service activation.
- Provided technical leadership and subject matter expertise for FTTx architecture, network design, deployment, service delivery, and operational support activities.
- Managed fiber infrastructure and ILA (Inline Amplifier) projects, overseeing end-to-end planning, deployment, and integration within FTTH and long-haul network environments.
- Coordinated field crews, subcontractors, utilities, and customer stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of OSP fiber construction and telecom infrastructure projects.
- Tracked project schedules, budgets, quality standards, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with program milestones and organizational objectives.
- Led project meetings and customer communications, providing status updates, risk assessments, and technical guidance to drive project success.
Network Maintenance Specialist - Saudi Telecom Company (STC) - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
(2010-12 - 2017-12)
Contributed to the successful delivery of STC's GPON FTTx Giga Fiber Program, supporting end-to-end FTTH and FTTB network rollout, including OLT, feeder, distribution, splitter hierarchy, drop network, and ONT architecture design and deployment.
- Led field survey teams for MDU, residential, and commercial infrastructure assessments, collecting critical network data and identifying CAPEX optimization opportunities to improve deployment efficiency and reduce project costs.
- Designed Outside Plant (OSP) fibre and copper access networks, including conduit systems, manholes, feeder routes, distribution networks, and in-building fibre distribution architectures utilizing centralized and cascaded splitter configurations.
- Reviewed, optimized, and approved network planning deliverables, ensuring technically compliant, scalable, and cost-effective network designs prior to construction release.
- Collaborated with Network Operations Centre (NOC), Maintenance and Deployment Teams (MDT), and field engineering teams to execute FDT, FAT, TB, ODB, and OSB survey, rehabilitation, replacement, migration, and network expansion activities.
- Performed detailed engineering design reviews to ensure compliance with telecom standards, engineering specifications, quality requirements, and project scope before construction approval.
- Managed broadband service operations and fault management activities for ADSL and Triple Play services (Data, Voice, and IPTV), ensuring SLA compliance, service availability, and customer experience objectives.
- Conducted root cause analysis on recurring network faults, driving corrective actions and coordinating escalations with regional NOC teams to achieve permanent resolution and improve network reliability.
- Developed and maintained accurate as-built network records and GIS-based network inventory using ArcGIS, ensuring alignment between deployed infrastructure and operational databases.
- Produced operational dashboards, installation progress reports, fault trend analysis, and performance metrics to support management decision-making and service improvement initiatives.
- Coordinated cross-functional stakeholders including planning, operations, construction, maintenance, and customer service teams to ensure seamless project execution and service delivery.
- Delivered technical training, mentoring, and knowledge transfer programs for new engineers, planners, and field technicians, strengthening organizational capability in FTTx, GPON, broadband, and access network operations.
- Supported network modernization and expansion initiatives through technical evaluations, field assessments, and implementation planning for next-generation broadband infrastructure.
O&M Engineer - Bharti Airtel Ltd - Trivandrum, India
(2008-07 - 2010-09)
Managed Operations & Maintenance (O&M) activities across five Alcatel-Lucent telecom exchanges, ensuring high availability and performance of Voice, DSL, VDSL, and ISDN (PRI/BRI) services while consistently meeting SLA, TAT, and Network Performance Framework (NFP) targets.
- Led operational support and service assurance activities for fixed-line and broadband networks, proactively monitoring network performance, service quality, and customer experience metrics.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams, vendors, field engineers, and network operations groups to execute installations, fault resolution, preventive maintenance, and service restoration activities.
- Managed end-to-end customer provisioning and network deployment activities, including civil works coordination, trenching, cable routing, building access approvals, distribution point (DP) installation, and service activation in compliance with organizational standards.
- Oversaw broadband network maintenance and ADSL service delivery, ensuring rapid fault resolution, reduced downtime, and adherence to operational service levels.
- Prepared, reviewed, and validated Bills of Quantities (BOQ) and project cost estimates for network expansion, capacity augmentation, and infrastructure enhancement initiatives.
- Supported network rollout and modernization projects by coordinating with planning, construction, operations, and vendor teams to ensure successful implementation and seamless service integration.
- Conducted network audits, infrastructure assessments, and quality checks to ensure compliance with engineering standards, operational procedures, and service delivery requirements.
- Maintained accurate network documentation, operational records, project reports, and asset information to support network lifecycle management and regulatory compliance.
- Contributed to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying operational bottlenecks, recommending process enhancements, and implementing best practices to improve network reliability and efficiency.
