ASHAR HAYAT SIDDIQUI

ICT Management with proven record of handling large scale Telecommunication Programs and Strategic projects for major Telecom Operators and Vendors in different market conditions, technologies and countries in Asia (Pakistan, China, Saudia) North America (USA). I am a versatile Telecom professional with extensive experience spanning over 2 Decades in the area of Mobile Network & PSTN/Landline Network in vendor and operator environment in multiple countries and markets as a Project Manager. Exceptional skills in identifying opportunities for standardization and improvement of processes/policies and implementing best practices. Skilled in Operating Models restructuring for operational excellence, Network quality improvement and reduction in Opex without any compromise on Network availability. I am a well organize and a dynamic team leader and mentor who is able to bring energy, enthusiasm, and humor to motivate team members to achieve departmental/Divisional objectives and business goals. Currently working as a General Manager Network Operations & Deployment in Pakistan Telecommunication (PTCL a group Company of Etisalat) and looking after Projects Deployment and Network Operation of FTTH/GPON/Wireless/Optical Network. STRENGTHS AND SKILLS: §  Ensuring that project scope is clearly defined and agreed upfront with all the stakeholders, internally & externally, so that business requirements could be exactly translate into technical requirements. §  Vendors’ management and management of RFP Responses & Requirements clarifications with vendors and internally. §  Internal stakeholder management that comprises of different teams including IT, Billing, Technical (Planning & Operation), Marketing, Sales, Product & Services, PMO, Customer Care, Supply Chain and Finance & RA teams. § Maintain effective financial and budgetary control of project. Project cost monitoring & controlling as per the allocated Budget and reporting them internally to management along with recommended actions for improvement. § Drive and Monitor the progress of the projects and ensure that Projects’ Quality and Standards are maintained. § To actively support, at all times, company policy and best practice in the area of security, with particular emphasis on the protection of sensitive internal & external (vendor) information. §  Ability to deliver innovative solutions to challenging problems §  Ability to multitask, work on own initiative whilst under pressure and deliver to tight deadlines. §  Experienced in fault finding Processes and Methods. Methodical analysis of information with the ability to link to business benefit evidence of sound decision making linked to risk management §  Able to present technical and statistical information in a clear and understandable manner §  Putting customers first - demonstrated the ability to build and improve relationships with key internal and external customers. §  Ability to learn and adapt quickly to new Techniques and methodologies as far as possible PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: Strong Relationship Building Excellent Communication Skills Technical Comprehension Self-Motivated & Focused Team-Player Decisive Leadership Stakeholder Management Conflict Management Detail Oriented Decision Making Customer Focused Vendor Management PROFESSIONAL CAREER: GENERAL MANAGER NETWORK OPERATIONS & DEPLOYMENT Apr 2017 – To Date PTCL (A group company of Etisalat)| Karachi, Pakistan Responsibilities: §  Responsible for Network Operations & Deployment of Landline/Optical Fiber Network/FTTH-GPON/WLL       network in Region. §  Responsible for day to day O&M of network including Exchanges/MSAN/MSAG/ONU/WLL BTS. §  Managing E2E Projects for overall Program management in the region & responsible for deliverables within       the targeted timelines. Achievements: §  Successfully achieving assigned KPIs which helps to reach the Business targets with availability of Quality Network for valuable customers. § Established and implemented processes for improvement in Network tracking and reporting. Also setup a Regional Operation Center (ROC), devise SoPs for better monitoring of systems at Regional level. §  Opex Optimization initiatives helps mainly against Power CP/Diesel, it gives saving of 36% in First Quarter. §  Better PM (Preventive Maintenance) will always help to reduce CM (Corrective Maintenance), it’s not only good for availability but also help for Opex saving. I took initiative and devise process and Implemented for       better & improved Quality PMR of NEs. §  Implemented In House cross-functional training sessions for employees career growth and betterment for       Organization this helps to improve Quality of Non-Management staff and create successor. §  Regular and effective communication with all stakeholders including Corporate/Business/Sales and arrange       timely resolution of issues helps to mitigate risks where necessary. REGIONAL TECHNICAL HEAD Jan 2005 – Mar 2017 Warid/Jazz Telecom | Karachi, Pakistan Responsibilities: §  Working for Integration of Jazz (Warid-Mobilink merger) at regional level. §  Accountable for the establishment and implementation of E2E Project in Region. Responsible for deliverables from the Project team in the region. §  Responsible for regular and effective communication with all stakeholders and arrange timely resolution of issues and mitigate risks where necessary. Successfully achieving assigned KPIs at regional level which helping to reach the Business targets. §  Managing vendors (3rd Party) relationships to ensure network availability and project delivery on time. Managing the Service Engineering team and all processes of Engineering. §  Ensured E2E availability, KPIs and performance optimization of Network through Managed Services Model §  Responsible for overall Program management in the region §  Defined processes, tracking and reporting to improve the network quality, availability and performance §  TX Planning, RF Planning, teams under matrix hierarchy model reporting to me in region with involvement on time to time basis to handle and manage issues. §  Closed collaboration with Commercial/Corporates teams in the region. Make sure to provide best Customer experience through High Level of Network Quality and availability and became a trusted partner and adviser to Commercial Director. §  Regional Technical team of 90+ Engineers (Manager/AM/SE/E/O), Technicians/Riggers of Operations/Project (RAN/NSS) /Planning (RAN/NSS) teams are under my direct/Indirect reporting. Decisive Impact: §  Restructured the new department NOSS using a bottom-up approach to standardize and synergize fragmented roles and skillsets. Formulated and documented new JD & SOPs. After taking over Non-Telco In House we achieved some good numbers of saving against: §  Reduction in Opex (Fuel Filled and reduced Pilferage) from ~35% to 9% §  Introduced One-Window solution which helps to manage KPI in remote areas from 97.x% to 98.x% §  Reduced per site Cost from 200+% of Service charges to 75-80% of Service charges without any compromise on network Quality and availability §  CME works through small vendor without compromise on Quality of work helps to reduce CME capex. Achievements: §  Contributed in the launch of 4G/LTE, actively participated in rollout §  The budget forecasting and preparation for region while ensuring Opex saving without compromise on network quality. In-house CAPEX saving projects, Opex saving activities through vendor negotiations on 40% reduced prices §  Actively participated in process to take over Non-Telco In-House, our Non Telco was outsourced in which vendor was responsible for O&M Non Telco of BTS sites, Fueling, Guarding, Commercial Power etc. We took over this SoW In House and built a new dept. We took initiatives and strictly implemented SoPs which give us huge saving against per site cost/Fueling/against CP rectification/DG Over Hauling cost etc. §  Actively participated and involved in the evaluation of RFP for Warid Telecom International Projects. EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS: REGIONAL TECHNICAL HEAD Jan 2005 - Mar 2017 Warid Telecom/Jazz (AbuDhabi group)  | Pakistan NSS/CORE ENGINEER Jun 2003 - Dec 2004 Ericsson | Saudia Arabia PROJECT CONSULTANT (SWITCHING) Jan 2003 - Jun 2003 Glotel Inc. | USA CORE/SWITCHING TECH Apr 2002 - Dec 2002 Cingular Wireless | USA TELECOM ENGINEER CONSULTANT Apr 2001 - Mar 2002 Amatel Inc.| USA TELECOM CONSULTANT Oct 2000 - Mar 2001 Misc. Projects TECHNICAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANT (SWITCHING) Aug 1999 - Sep 2000 Netron Telecom| USA SYSTEM ENGINEER (NSS TESTER) Jul 1998 - Jul 1999 Netron Telecom (Ericsson) | Hong Kong, China System Engineer – I Jan 1994 - Jul 1998 Paktel| Pakistan AFFILIATION/MEMBER: § IAB (Industry Advisory Board) Member in NED University of Engineering & Technology Karachi. § IAB (Industry Advisory Board) Member in Dawood University of Engineering & Technology Karachi. § Pakistan Engineering Council (Life Time Member)   AWARDS / RECOGNITIONS: § Appreciation Award from NED University for attending Seminar on “Bridging the Gaps” § Appreciation Award from IQRA University, for lecture on "Future of Telecom in Pakistan & Guideline for Fresh Graduates". § Appreciation Award from NUCES-FAST University for lecture on Career counseling and development in Telecom sector. § Appreciation Award from IQRA University for lecture on "Fresh Graduates & Corporate Culture". § Appreciation Award Warid Telecom to achieve targets on pre-launch responsibilities § Appreciation Award from Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology for lecture on "Fresh Graduates &Their Expectation from Market". § PMI Karachi chapter attended as “Guest Speaker” Importance of PMP Certification.   TRAININGS: TECHNICAL TRAININGS § MPLS Training § LTE Air Interface § GSM Operations/AXE-10/HLR/APG/MSS/MGW § Huawei i-Manager M2000 SOFT SKILLS TRAININGS § PMP Certification Course § PROPS for Project Manager § Leadership Excellence (Care & Growth Model) § High Impact Leadership § Success Formula for Work Line Balance § Personal Effectiveness and Prioritization § Finance for Non-Finance Managers § Forget About the Rest Hire the Best § Successful Harvesting § Stress for Success § Team Building & Motivation Workshop § Change Management § Performance Coaching § Group Decision Making   QUALIFICATIONS: (Degree/Certification)   §  Bachelors of Engineering (Electronics) NED University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan | December 1992 §  MBA Project Management (EMBA) Preston Institute, Pakistan | June 2008 §  Management Development Programme Lahore University of Management Sciences, LUMS, Pakistan | September 2013