Senior Manager Wireless Core and RF Optimization

Muhammad Kaleem

Cell: +92-334*******;

E-mail: *************@*****.***

Nationality: Pakistan; Language: English

Career Summary:

I have 12 years of experience in RF including 05 years in 4G/LTE (FDD & TDD), 3G RF Planning & Optimization. I worked closely with development and core teams on many swap/expansion projects. I have experience of all phases of designing, planning, rollout and optimization.

I have also experience in transmission and have knowledge of IP networks.

Other Skills:

-Leadership, Customer Project Management, People & Vendor management skills.

-Market insight. Financial understanding.

-Strategic Thinking, Change Management.

-Solid analytical & problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

-Ability to work independently as well as in teams. Mentoring the staff.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Position: Senior Manager Wireless Core & RF Optimization, Islamabad

Company: Pakistan Telecommunication Co. Ltd-Etisalat Pakistan

Duration: March 2011 to present.

Worked on following projects as team leader/ project manager:

Swapping of 280 ZTE & 350 Huawei CDMA BTSs with Huawei LTE eNBs (CDMA+LTE) and optimization of these eNBs.

Swapping of 450 Huawei CDMA BTSs with ZTE LTE eNBs (CDMA+LTE) and optimization of these eNBs.

Planning and optimization of 55 ZTE LTE eNBs (CDMA+LTE).

Solid RF background covering different technologies, CDMA/UMTS/LTE.

Leading a team of engineers to execute optimization related activities for 335 LTE FDD and 35 LTE TDD eNBs and 1000+ 3G/CDMA/EVDO BTSs in North Region of Pakistan.

Ability to communicate wide enough to address CxO level concerns and requirements. Aability to dive in at the engineering level when required to eliminate potential gaps.

Knowledge of Ericsson & NSN RF parameters and product portfolio. Awareness of Ericsson OSS tools (OSS-RC, ENIQ, BO) and NSN tools (NetAct).

Optimizing at the core and BSS network to enhance the network quality with good control over the OPEX and ensuring quality services for the end users.

O&M of Core NEs like EPC (MME, SGW, PGW), PDSNs, 3G MSCs.

Project Management for core and RF optimization related engineering projects with emphasis over the time, stress and team management.

RAN optimization at Regional/Cluster Level/Site Level by analysis & troubleshooting of Parameters, Neighbor list optimization, Throughput.

Performing network audit, parameter tuning, feature testing.

Defining Scope and developing end-to-end technical solutions.

Designed Transmission (MW/OF links, Hub sites, switches) and Core NEs (MME, SGW, PGW) capacity for data traffic of LTE eNodeBs. Interfaces with IP network.

Analyzing technology, defining business requirements & participating in risk analysis.

Working with core team on list of potential activities & solutions.

Developing technical presentations & proposals; supporting deployment of solution.

Participate in knowledge transfer, documentation & information sharing.

Staying abreast of on new technology/technical areas & sharing information about solution for growth of company.

Performing capacity analysis (Radio resources, HW resources, licensing) and identifying potential issues. Experience in refarming the spectrum and related testing.

Using various tools to perform, analyze, troubleshoot, identify and provide solutions or suggestion on RF optimization from OMC performance statistic, drive test, eNB/MME call trace, complaints handling.

Presenting Network overview report on daily/ weekly/monthly basis to higher management along with proper reason of degradation and rectification/improvement plan.

Active member of the project team and executed different projects from initial conception till final delivery. Preparing RFP/RFQ and evaluating bids.

RAN access planning and transport optimization experience, i.e., transmission, interface dimension, capacity dimension and forecasting. Project management experience in RNPO.

Optimizing RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, and CQI for better coverage, quality & throughput.

Identifying and resolving data performance issues – e.g. latency, throughput, failed connection attempts, and drop connections, etc.

Understanding of Network elements like eNB, MME, SGW, PGW, HSS, PCRF.

Knowledge of SON featutes: Self Configuration, Self Optimizatin and Self Healing

ANR testing, eICIC etc. Intra LTE Handover (Via S1 & X2), 4G to 3G mobility optimization; Multi carrier optimization knowledge.

Knowledge of CSFB, SRVCC.

Knowledge of VoLTE and IMS architecture e.g. P-CSCF, I-CSCF, S-CSCF, AS etc.

Knowledge of LTE-Advanced. Understanding of Carrier aggregation.

Analysis of Network Performance (KPI) such as Accessibility, Retain-ability, Mobility, Integrity, throughput etc.

Good knowledge of UMTS, HSDPA/HSPA+ and parameters like RSCP, Ec/No, CQI, OVSF Codes allocation. Following new technology trends like 5G, IoT.

Diagnosed & Resolved the Core Network issues with the help of Wireshark.

Performing End to End Network Review including Core Networks, Radio and Transport.

IBS design, planning and optimization concepts. Antenna system, splitters, couplers, combiners, cables, Trunking diagram design concepts.

Imparting training to staff for their capacity building.

Knowledge of 3GPP standards and how to apply the latest releases on architecture and design.

Position: Manager RF Planning & Optimization, Islamabad

Company: Pakistan Telecommunication Co. Ltd-Etisalat Pakistan

Duration: June 2007 to Feb 2011.

Worked on following projects as team leader:

Rollout and optimization of 600+ 3G CDMA/EVDO BTSs in more than 250+ cities.

Expansion of 3G EVDO network in different phases.

Lead a team of engineers to execute optimization related activities for 600+ BTSs in North Region of Pakistan. Huawei & ZTE supplied the CDMA 2000/EVDO equipment.

Good understanding of BSS, Core and Transmission part of the network.

Initiated, planned and worked with deployment team in rolling out several projects in different phases that increased the footprint of wireless broadband service from 03 cities in 2008 to 250+ cities.

Strong knowledge of RF engineering principles (RF communications theory, radio design principles, propagation modelling). Optimized SINR, DRC for better quality & throughput.

Resolved interference and pilot pollution issues.

Performed O&M activities as per requirement. Designed rectifier, batteries and DG set capacity for the NEs.

Proposed up-gradation /expansion of network based on coverage and capacity analysis.

Generated periodic Expansion reports encompassing channel element and Abis dimensioning.

Performed core network capacity audit and resolved low throughput issues by optimizing core network elements.

Well familiar with TETRA & DAS solution.

Capacity Monitoring: CE usage, Walsh Code Usage, TCH Congestion, RF power overload, Abis congestion, Backhaul transmission, RSSI (Noise Rise) monitoring, data traffic monitoring between PCF and PDSN etc. for expansion.

Position: Regional Team Leader RF Optimization, Islamabad

Company: Pakistan Telecommunication Co. Ltd-Etisalat Pakistan

Duration: April 2005 to May 2007

Worked closely with project team in rolling out of 1300+ CDMA 2000 BTSs across the whole country.

Responsible for RF optimization of CDMA 2000 (1x Voice, data & EVDO) Network deployed by Huawei, ZTE.

Managed a team of engineers to execute the optimization activities like conducting Drive Tests, addressing coverage/ voice breaking/ call dropping/ handoff failure/ access failure issues.

Tested & implemented inter vendor hard handoff and intra vendor soft handoff across the whole country.

Problem identification with Layer 3 Messages; Uplink/ Downlink measurements.

Network elements monitoring, analysis, fine tuning, optimization and troubleshooting.

Generated BSS traffic reports, analyzing traffic reports, taking actions to maintain KPIs and forward the recommendations to planning wing for expansion.

Extensive experience in testing of Mobile terminals and 3g CPEs/data devices.

Worked on device testing for qualifying the products. PRL testing for 1x and EVDO network.

Tools used:

Drive Test Tools: Nemo Outdoor of Anite; CAIT, a drive test tool from Qualcomm; QXDM a diagnostic tool of Qualcomm; GENEX Probe of Huawei; CNT, a drive test tool from ZTE; DT Analysis Tool: Nemo Analyze of Anite; Actix, a DT post processing tool; CNA, a DT post processing tool from ZTE; GENEX Assistant of Huawei, TEMS.

Monitoring OSS and Performance Tools: Huawei’s U2000, PRS, ZTE’s Netnumen & U31.

Planning Tool: Mentum Planet; RF Planning tool. ACP: Automated Cell Planning tool of Mentum Planet.

GIS software like Mapinfo, Global Mapper, Google Earth.

Position: Engineer Transmission Networks.

Company: Pakistan Telecommunication Co. Ltd

Duration: May 2001 to March 2005

Worked on following projects as team member:

Worked as a team member in testing and commissioning of 4 x 10 Gbit/s DWDM network in Center Region of Pakistan. Equipment was supplied by Nortel

Worked as a team member in testing and commissioning of 16 x 2.5 Gbit/s DWDM/SDH network in Center Region of Pakistan. Equipment was supplied by Huawei, China.

Worked on Huawei DWDM (OptiX BWS 320G & BWS 1600G) and SDH equipment (OSN 9500, OSN 7500, OSN 3500, (STM16/STM-64)), Siemens SDH and Nortel DWDM.

Planning/ Designing/ Implementing/ Commissioning of SDH/DWDM links.

Knowledge of NGN (SDH/SONET) concepts like GFP, VCAT (Virtual Concatenation) & LCAS (Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme).

OAM & P experience of SDH/DWDM networks.

Designed rectifier, batteries and DG set capacity for the NEs.

Familiarity with GPON/FTTx technology.

Maintained performance of all links within limits, keeping track of degradation of network and taking pre-emptive steps to improve the performance.

Supervised NOC and ensured that the NOC organization is adequately staffed and that key positions are delegated to personnel with adequate training and skills to perform the task to ensure that these are according to the service delivery requirements.

Provided the management with reports on NOC performance as per agreed schedule and ensured that the network performance reports are generated as desired pattern and delivered in time. Knowledge of IP Transmission on backbone transport network.

Knowledge of WAN/LAN, PoS, Ethernet, FTTx products, TCP/IP.

Hands on experience of Testing equipment like Digital Transmission Analyzer (e.g. ACTERNA ANT-20 SE), Optical Spectrum Analyser, Optical Power Meter, Optical Laser Source, OTDR, Optical Cable Fault Locator, Visual Fault Finder etc.

Position: Assistant Engineer Optical Fiber System, Rawalpindi

Company: Pakistan Telecommunication Co. Ltd

Worked on following projects as team member:

Participated in rolling out of 1546 Km long Optical Fiber STM-4 network. Equipment was supplied by NEC (Japan) and Cable was supplied by Olex (Australia).

O&M of SDH/PDH Transmission network.

Supervised NOC (Network Operation Center) controlling nation-wide Alcatel PDH, Ericsson PDH, Siemens PDH and SDH (TransExpress series 4) equipment.

Circuit provisioning for E1, E3, E4 level to corporate customers and mobile operators.

Trained the staff on newly introduced SDH transmission technology.

Planned redundancy in case of network failure and saved PTCL revenue.

Tested different Optical Fiber types according to ITU Recommendations (G.652, G.653, G.654, G.655, G.656).

Ensure smooth provisioning of fiber links to the internal and external customers.

Remained involved in deployment of Optical Fiber network e.g. Laying of cables, Splicing, Termination in ODF, Testing & Commissioning etc.

Performed testing & commissioning of newly installed Optical Fibre links.

TRAININGS

LTE (TDD/FDD) Radio Network Optimization; By ZTE (Aug 1st to Aug 6th, 2016).

LTE (TDD/FDD) Radio Network Optimization; by Huawei (May 16th to May 23rd, 2016).

PMP Workshop; a 35 hrs, 4 day training session based on PMBOK 5th Ed (May 2013).

Mentum Planet tool training by trainer Ilya Samokhin (28th Nov – 2nd Dec 2011): Modules covered were: ASPT, Traffic Modelling, Model Tuning, Monte Carlo simulation, ACP.

Nemo Outdoor and Analyze: A Drive Test Tool: Training by Boon Keong Yap (24th-26th Nov 2011)

LTE Overview; 03 days training by Qualcomm instructor (22nd April-24th April 2011)

CCNA I & II Training; By PTCL Academy (28th June 2010- 2nd July 2010)

“CDMA Roaming Workshop”, arranged by Qualcomm Inc. USA, (14th June 2010).

“UMTS/WCDMA (Rel 99) Overview, HSDPA (Rel 5) Protocols and Physical Layer”; By Qualcomm Instructor (24th – 27th May 2010)

“UMTS Technical Overview with Introduction to HSDPA and HSUPA”; By Qualcomm Instructor (26th April to 27th April 2010)

“EVDO Rev B Planning and Optimization”; By Qualcomm instructor (1st-5th Feb 2010)

“EVDO Rev A Planning and Optimization”; By ZTE Pakistan (24th-March to 03rd April 2009)

CDMA Network Planning and Optimization (06th -31st March 2006, Shenzhen, China)

“CDMA 2000 1x (Voice & data) Network Performance Assessment & Optimization”; By Qualcomm Instructors; (27th Nov to 1st Dec 2006)

Optical Fiber Cable Fault Location, Splicing and Jointing

Soft Skills Trainings:

“Fostering Creativity and Ownership for Business Excellence”. By Dr. Sunil Gupta (5th Oct 2013)

Workshop on “Web Services & Applications” at the PTCL Academy (28th Feb 2013)

01 day workshop on “Data Network Security” at the PTCL Academy (7th Dec 2012)

“Inspiring Team Success”, at the PTCL Academy (16th Nov 2011)

“Stress Management”; 01 day workshop by Asad Mehmood Awan (3rd Aug 2010).

“Communication Skills”; 01 day workshop by Dr. Hamid Rafiq Khattak (19th July 2010)

“People Leadership”; 01 day workshop by Mr. Tehseen Hassan, an OSALP trainer (15th July 2010)

“Building Positive Attitude and Delivering Better Customer Services”, 02 day workshop by Asad Mehmood Awan at PTCL academy (19th-20th Nov 2009)

EDUCATION

M.Sc. Systems Engineering: (QAU, Islamabad, Pakistan)

Secured 79.8 % Marks

B.Sc. Electrical (Communications) Engineering (UET Lahore)

Secured 88.3% aggregate marks

Executive MBA (NUST, Islamabad, Pakistan 2013- present)

CGPA 3.6

Contact this candidate