Columbia University

Boğaziçi University

Analyzed wireless industry trends (5G NR, CBRS, Open RAN, Edge Computing, Private Networks, Neutral Host Networks, 3GPP NTN) and applications. Created MORAN and CBRS MOCN based Neutral Host programs. Worked with 25+ vendors of traditional wireless RAN (Tier-1 OEM, DAS, Small Cell) and Core Networks (hyperscalers) to assess solutions. Supplied technical analysis to M&A team (4 investment candidates / year).

- Evaluated 20+ vendors (including Open RAN solutions), selecting a Tier-1 RAN OEM with an approved solution for all major wireless carriers.

- Participated in wireless industry alliances (OnGo, 5G Americas), conferences (IWPC, Network X, 6G@UT) and conventions (MWC, Connect X), publishing 15 annual executive reports, highlighting main themes of such events.

- Worked with outside industry analysts to author sector briefs and mobile market reports for internal consumption, delivering 6 to 8 reports / year.

- Co-chaired Marketing Working Group for OnGo Alliance and participated in all quarterly Board of Director meetings.

- Shared insights with Crown’s executive team to determine CBRS PAL strategy, saving $1M+ not participating in spectrum auction.

- Proposed and led formation of “CBRS & OnGo for Dummies” reference book.

Crown Castle

Director, Technology Strategy

Crafted CBRS product strategy and guided 4 in-person cross-functional team meetings in 1 year with VPs of Deployment, Operations, Finance, Corporate Strategy, Legal and Sales to design and finalize product plan.

- Facilitated deployments of 3 large CBRS based networks, addressing dense urban, suburban and indoor use cases.

- Actual performance, CAPEX & OPEX results were compared against business plan to determine final marketing, pricing and sales strategy.

- Orchestrated efforts on first-of-its-kind MOCN based CBRS network testing with a Tier-1 MNO, resulting in successful operation of unlicensed spectrum-based RAN to support MNO’s subscribers.

Director, Product Development / Corporate Strategy

Forged and navigated DAS (Commscope, Corning, JMA, SOLiD) and RAN (Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung) OEM partner relationships to follow product release cycles and educate internal teams on new features. 

- Held 2 annual review meetings with all DAS and RAN vendors, providing guidance on roadmaps.

- Worked with 20+ pole, shroud and concealment solution vendors to customize products to fit Crown’s needs for deployments, identifying potential thermal issues in advance to save over 25% in future OPEX.

- Appraised and approved 100s of designs and bill of materials for small cell and DAS projects before the projects were handed off to implementation teams, resulting in average savings of over 10% per project.

Sr. Manager, Product Development / Corporate Strategy

As a member of the executive staff, defined Go-To-Market sales strategy for small cell services business unit and product strategy for Ruggedized Outdoor Small Cell product. Owned P&L, marketing programs and pricing.

- Led efforts to secure multi-million-dollar win (in 14 states) for “first nationwide” outdoor LTE small cell network deployment project for Tier-1 mobile network operator, finalizing negotiations for Master Services Contract.

- Recruited team of 8 sales rep firms to deliver nationwide coverage of products and services, creating sales compensation plan, training programs, marketing collaterals and playbooks.

- Increased leads and demand 10+ times within 6-month period.

Public Wireless

Vice President, Product Strategy & Business Development

Created product development requirements and programs, oversaw implementation efforts, managed and owned strategic partner relationships.

- Managed strategic alliances with 15+ small cell vendor ecosystem partners including hardware (SoC/RFIC) and software (PHY/MAC/SON) solution providers along with hardware reference design partners, RF planning tools vendors, antenna vendors, site acquisition and site development firms.

- Represented the company as a member of the Small Cell Forum and presented as Subject Matter Expert at 3 Mobile World Congress Barcelona and 5 CTIA panels and roundtables.

Vice President, Product Line Management

Developed new business opportunities for IP based picocells while leading the 3G (UMTS, CDMA EVDO) and 4G (LTE) DAS business unit. Managed ODM infrastructure partners, worked with cross-functional teams to deliver end-to-end solutions to Tier-1 wireless service providers in North America.

- Oversaw successful deployment of “first-in-the-industry” strand mounted and cable plant backhaul enabled multiband DAS network for AT&T for enhanced wireless coverage at military base in Oahu, HI.

Vice President, Business & Technology Development

Managed the Southwestern US sales territory and introduced outdoor/indoor DAS and repeater products at 21 Tier-1 wireless carrier local market offices in less than 90 days.

Powerwave Technologies

Regional Sales Manager

Managed the Western US territory for sales of RF products (outdoor and indoor digital-DAS/microcells, Tower Top/Ground Mount Amplifiers, Repeaters) to Tier-1 (Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile) and Tier-2 wireless carriers.

ADC Telecommunications, Wireless Division

National Account Manager

Managed the Western US and Canada territory for sales of Service Assurance (Metrica Performance Management and Service Quality Management) OSS software products to wireless and wireline service providers.

Sales Director

Managed the Western US and Canada territory for sales of middleware (SS7) / OEM (SMS) products to infrastructure vendors, VARs and End-Customers including Qualcomm, Ericsson, AT&T Wireless, Corsair, Sun Microsystems, Leap Wireless, and Lucent OMD.

Managed strategic accounts (Alcatel, Nortel & Telefonica) at a global level for sales of middleware and turn-key software products.

NewNet, Inc.

Account Executive

Managed the turnkey product portfolio (mobile switching center, wireless protocol stacks, customer premises intelligent call routing platform). Product line revenue exceeded $5M. Developed and owned business relationships with MCI, ADC Telecommunications, AirNet Communications, Watkins-Johnson Co. and AT&T.

Senior Product Manager

Contributed to the sales revenue growth of a start-up from $1M to $10M by successfully implementing technical pre-sales and post-sales activities.

EBS, Inc.

Senior Sales Engineer

Designed, implemented, tested, documented, and debugged software for data and telecommunications protocols (X.25, SS7) and systems using C, UNIX, UNIX STREAMS environment for telephony and data communications network topology, protocol standards, protocol implementation and network design.

Murat Erkam