Advancing Telecommunications Technologies: An Interview with Kranthi Kiran Kusuma
A: My interest in telecommunications was sparked by just how rapidly mobile technology interfered with the day-to-day activities of human beings. Carrier certification turned out to be particularly interesting to me because it represents a kind of crossroads between innovation and reliability. Working in this area makes it possible for me to directly see cutting-edge technologies–5G SA & NSA, LTE, and other cellular wireless technologies–ensuring that they meet rigorous specifications prior to being made available to consumers. The thrill is in being part of that process which brings new capabilities to communications, knowing that my work is helping to advance technology in millions of user's lives. Q 2: What is your approach to managing cross-functional teams for complex technological projects?
A: To me, handling multidepartmental teams would involve strong and clear communication and that each member of the team has an appreciation of each other's individuality. The specific objectives of the project becoming considerable are shared with everyone, bearing in mind that every person having a well-defined understanding of their individual contributions towards it. The regular visit checks and visible project tracking will act as a momentum keeper and flag for any rising issues. I've noticed that an environment where team members feel free to talk about what difficulties they experience leads to even more exciting solutions. I also push creating of relationships outside departments so that you are not siloed in, especially for those tricky carrier certification jobs, where they've got to cross over engineers, quality assurance teams, and business stakeholders. Q 3: How have you managed to see the growth of the 5G technology and what challenges did you face from the certification perspective?
A: Well, I've seen the journey of 5G from inception to massive deployment, and I would say from the experience-it has made life very different from 4G, bringing tremendous improvements in these areas: speed, latency, and connection density. However, these achievements have brought with them certification challenges. For example, with the deployment of millimeter wave technology (FR2), testing becomes more complicated due to signal propagation characteristics and the development of specific measurement methodologies. One of the most important challenges among them has been to keep the performance consistent over different environments, mainly for FR2 deployments that will be more sensitive to obstructions. Furthermore, there are many cases that need to be tested to guarantee the interoperability between 5G with 4G and legacy networks. To combat these challenges, I have implemented stricter field testing protocols and spent adequate time training engineers on the nuances of 5G technologies to ensure our certification procedures remain thorough and reliable despite the increased complexity. Q 4: What are the methods you apply to keep the working project within the time and budget limits?
A: Timely and budget-wise completion of the telecommunications project required a combination of detailed planning and flexible execution. Thus, these projects start with extensive project scoping so that the deliverables can be broken into manageable milestones that have a buffer time for unexpected events. It includes resource allocation- I do assess the team capacity and expertise so that I can put right people on the correct tasks. For budgeting, I do regular financial reviews and compare actual expenses and projections to identify overruns at an early stage. For carrier certification, the best way I have found to use resources wisely in the most stressful times is to test priorities up front. In addition, I make use of project management tools, such as JIRA, to keep everything visible throughout the workstreams to enable data-driven decisions whenever adjustments need to be made. But most importantly, I create an accountability atmosphere in which people are encouraged to take ownership of their work but feel supported when they face obstacles. Q5: Here were the exciting advancements in telecommunications technologies for the future.
A: I think the area where I am most excited for the future is convergence 5G technology with the other upcoming developments, such as artificial intelligence and IoT. Ultra-low latency and a large number of device connections create possibilities. Looking forward to being able to see how network slicing would change the way different applications allocate network resources, innovations involved in developing 6G technologies capable of operating in terahertz frequency ranges, and integrations of satellite-based communications with terrestrial networks.
These developments together open up exciting possibilities for global connectivity. Beyond the new technology, I personally think these developments are going to open up new possibilities with application fields such as smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and telemedicine since they will require different approaches to certification and testing. I am looking forward to working into those standards to ensure that those technologies can count on being reliable, secure, and accessible. Q 6. How do you keep abreast of the fast-moving and ever-changing technologies and standards within telecommunications?
A: Current developments in telecommunications require a multidimensional approach, as innovations are awakened nearly every second. Direct communication with attendees and speakers was possible at a conference, seminars, and webinars by industry experts. I also get a front row seat to new technology development when I work with carrier certification before most of the rest of the marketplace has been exposed to it. I remain active in the professional bodies and keep reading the reputable journals like 3GPP and IEEE. Colleagues within an organization who are specialized in different branches also offer different perspectives, and according to their ingenuity, they could be resourceful in furthering practical knowledge from theory. The same goes with new technologies as hands-on learning experiences develop theoretical and practical knowledge in telecommunications. I've also been able to develop a network of contacts with industry colleagues for periodical exchanges of ideas and information. This unique combination of formal education, hands-on applications and professional networking has been critical to maintaining a current skillset in the last 15 years of my telecommunications career. Q 7: What piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to get into telecommunications, particularly in testing and certification?
A: For people entering the telecommunications testing and certification segment, I would suggest first learning networking basics and wireless technologies really well. Whether they specialize in a certain area, having understanding of protocols, signaling or RF principles would benefit them later on. Get hands-on experience, even if entry-level, because such know-how is invaluable in the field.
Certifications relevant to telecommunication would definitely help in proving the commitment to the authenticity and expertise with which a person can explain to future employers. Be prepared to learn on and on because this industry transforms very quickly – what was cutting edge today will be standard tomorrow. Develop analytical and problem-solving skills because troubleshooting is one essential aspect of such testing work. Do not underplay communication skills, for instance, with technical ability one needs to relay that information to different stakeholders, ranging from engineers to business leaders. Tremendous room for growth is offered in telecommunications, especially now with 5G coming into the mainstream within companies, as well as research advancing in 6G; hence this is a great time to join the industry.
High pressure situations, especially around certification deadlines, need to be handled with balanced strategic planning and tactical execution. For example, now I'm facing tight timelines; I reassess priorities and focus efforts on critical path items affected by certification. Clarity on the communication plan becomes much more important-I also ensure that relevant stakeholders know what our plan of action is and what risks to expect. I've found that breaking large problems into several smaller ones is a great way to boost morale within the team and create solid indicators of progress. During extraordinarily intense certification cycles, I implement check-ins as much as possible but also focused so that blockers can be cleared at an accelerated pace without infringing the flow of work. I have developed throughout my entire career a problem-in-analyzed fashion, which helps much faster resolve technical issues that would derail the time for the completion of the certification. Most importantly, I keep a calm, solution-oriented approach so that the team can keep their focus and not feel the pressure. This has really helped us meet challenging deadlines while maintaining testing quality and team wellness. Q 8: What are your long-term career aspirations in the telecommunications industry?
A: On the long run, I look forward to holding a strategic leadership position whereby I can influence telecommunication technology adoption and implementation. I am particularly passionate about helping organizations realize the potential of emerging technologies such as advanced applications of 5G, private networks, and eventually 6G. As someone who has spent a lot of time in carrier certifications, I see extraordinary value in bridging the gap from technical innovation to practical deployment. I want to leverage the experience to energize great initiatives that hasten the responsible deployment of new telecommunications capabilities while ensuring those capabilities meet the most rigorous standards for performance and reliability. Also, I'm deeply involved in mentoring the generation-younger telecommunications professionals so that these insights get shared throughout my career. I would like, in the end, to contribute toward how such transformational technology better connects and opens new opportunities for different industries and communities. About Kranthi Kiran Kusuma
Telecommunications professional with 15 years of experience in the industry, specializing in carrier certification and project management. Kranthi Kiran Kusuma works based in Ontario, California, having a proven record in managing complex technology projects and cross-functional teams. Kranthi has expertise in 5G( FR2/FR1 ), 4G LTE, as well as other wireless technologies. He has successfully led multiple field certification programs across North America. Including a Master of Science in Information System Management, a Master of Information Technology, and a Bachelor of Computer Applications, Kranthi's educational qualifications are great. Throughout his career, Kranthi has had strong linkages with industry key clients while ensuring product delivery success and technical excellence in the telecommunications industry.
(Author: Priyanka Gupta)
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