Pradeep Rath
Sr. Manager, Wireline Network Planning
Navi Mumbai,MH
Summary
Senior Manager Telecom Infrastructure and Technical Program Management professional with 20 years of experience driving large-scale network modernization, optical fiber planning, and CAPEX optimization. Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to deliver massive transport network expansions and hyperscale data center connectivity for global technology partners. Adept at navigating strategic commercial negotiations, managing multi-million dollar OSP budgets, and securing dark fiber IRU agreements with state utilities. PMP and AWS Certified Solutions Architect bridging traditional telecom operations with cloud-scale infrastructure
Overview
4
4
Languages
4
4
Certifications
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Project Manager
Tata Communications
- Coordinated [number] network deployment workstreams per quarter across design, surveys, and delivery handoffs.
- Led new build, customer connections, network upgrades, diversionary works, and customized solutions for telecom deployments.
- Supported pre-sales wireline network design and deployment planning using design, survey, and inventory applications.
- Partnered with OTT players to deliver end-to-end data centre connectivity solutions and support border connectivity planning for Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
- Managed IRU fiber renewals, agreement preparation, and PR/PO releases while coordinating feasibility, readiness, and delivery with partners.
- Prepared OSP budgets, planned colocation across OWN and IRU routes, and supported tender bids with government bodies using OPGW fiber.
AGM- Regional Lead
Vodafone Idea Ltd.
05.2020 - 03.2026
- Managed project and planning work across 7 circles, aligning fiber rollout priorities with expansion, consolidation, and spectrum bandwidth needs.
- Tracked fiber project rollout and capex utilization from PR through lit-up, coordinating timely purchase-order release and delivery milestones.
- Prioritized Intercity OFC PoP coverage for Q1, Q2, and Q3 circles to support 2G=4G needs, MW spot surrender, redundancy, and added capacity.
- Built site-dependency analysis for each fiber route ASK, using MapInfo, Visio, and Excel to support planning decisions.
- Identified and consolidated fiber routes for mobility and enterprise rollout, redundancy, and bandwidth enhancement across access and backbone networks.
- Coordinated with central SCM, Finance, Commercial, and Project teams to release purchase orders, manage network-sharing agreements, and support billing and reconciliation.
- Oversaw OFC network business processes, including asset accounting, legal agreements, audit closure, sharing models, and replacement capex for route rectification.
Deputy Manager (Transport Planning, Network)
Vodafone Idea Ltd.
09.2018 - 05.2020
- Planned a capex-efficient product mix to reach end-state architecture for 35 BSC GBoIP, 5-RNC, and 1-SGSN-MME.
- Reviewed utility power consumption monthly with O&M, tracking EB, DG, and BB hours, DG CPH, EB kWh, and diesel use.
- Planned transport network expansions across Access, PTN, DWDM, and CEN networks, covering equipment orders, node configurations, inside wiring, and field turn-up.
- Maintained relationships with senior management, VBS teams, internal groups, and vendors while coordinating purchase-order release and fiber rollout timelines.
- Led DCN visibility rollout for 100% of nodes operational and planned in the network, testing cards and boxes, integrating them on NMS, and handing over to O&M.
- Consolidated fiber routes for Mobility and Enterprise, tracked fiber capex from PR to lit-up, and mapped routes in MapInfo and Visio.
- Planned microwave restructuring and bandwidth enhancements across Access and backbone, and removed site dependency for more than 10 sites in combined architecture.
Deputy Manager (Transport Planning)
Vodafone Mobile services Ltd
06.2015 - 08.2018
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Improved safety procedures to create safe working conditions for workers.
Transmission Planning Engineer
Nokia Solutions & Networks
08.2008 - 05.2015
- Planned OFC connectivity for inter-circle and intra-circle backbone networks using ICD layers and DWDM transport design.
- Designed ICD and ONT layers to carry 3G traffic while supporting end-to-end site rollout requirements.
- Rolled out 769 Huawei boxes across ROB for 2G and 3G expansion programs.
- Delivered new link rollouts for Huawei, RTN, and Nokia platforms, coordinating site execution and project management across ROB.
- Optimized working links and in-band networks, resolving interference issues and maintaining SLA performance through timely network adjustments.
- Finalized BOQs for bandwidth expansion, converted GBoIP links from daisy-chain to ring structure, and reduced outages on 102 BSCs.
- Managed OSSoIP, SYNC, ATER, Abis, and DCN planning in Visio and Excel, while supporting enterprise feasibility analysis, MPLS delivery, and stakeholder coordination.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering - Electrical Engineering
DRIEMS
Odisha05-2005
Higher secondary - Science
Utkal University
odisha03-2001
Skills
DWDM
SDH links
MapInfo
Visio
Excel
Fiber route planning
Transport network planning
Network design
Feasibility analysis
Colocation planning
Project management
Stakeholder management
Vendor management
Tender management
Cross-functional coordination
Right of way management
Executive reporting
Network portfolio governance
Demand forecasting
Carrier relationship management
Regulatory approvals
Contract negotiation
Business case development
Portfolio prioritization
KPI dashboards
Change management
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of 8 to complete AWS NLD project
- Collaborated with team of 8 to complete MSFT Metro project
Additional Information
- Infrastructure & Program Management: End-to-End Project Delivery, CAPEX/OPEX Optimization, Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Vendor Management, Agile Methodology.
- Technical Domains: Optical Fiber Planning, OTN/DWDM, IP/MPLS, Data Center Interconnect (DCI), Transport Network Design, GIS (MapInfo, Google Earth).
Certification
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Timeline
AGM- Regional Lead
Vodafone Idea Ltd.
05.2020 - 03.2026
Deputy Manager (Transport Planning, Network)
Vodafone Idea Ltd.
09.2018 - 05.2020
Deputy Manager (Transport Planning)
Vodafone Mobile services Ltd
06.2015 - 08.2018
Transmission Planning Engineer
Nokia Solutions & Networks
08.2008 - 05.2015
Senior Project Manager
Tata Communications
Bachelor of Engineering - Electrical Engineering
DRIEMS
Higher secondary - Science
Utkal University