Ibrahim Kisioglu

CEO

Milan, Italy29 yrs 11 mos experience
Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

  • 25+ years of international telecom experience
  • Led €100M+ transformation programs
  • Expert in AI-driven digital infrastructure
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Telecommunications Infrastructure Expert with a focus on AI and digital transformation.

Contact

LinkedIn

Skills

Core Skills

Program ManagementLeadershipBusiness DevelopmentStrategic PlanningSalesAccount Management

Other Skills

Data CentersProject ManagementService Delivery ManagementFiber OpticsAgile MethodologiesChange ManagementFiber ServicesBusiness GrowthNetwork EvolutionPre-salesSolution DesignAccess TransmissionNetwork StrategiesBudget ManagementFTTH Rollout

About

Senior telecom and digital infrastructure executive with 25+ years of international experience delivering and scaling large-scale connectivity platforms across global telecom and technology ecosystems. My experience spans three global vendors (Nokia, Ericsson, Nortel) and three tier-1 operators (Vodafone, Turkcell, Lifecell), providing a unique perspective across the full telecom value chain—from network strategy and infrastructure deployment to business development and ecosystem partnerships. I have led complex programs and infrastructure initiatives across fiber, transport, subsea connectivity, and high-capacity backbone networks, supporting the growing demand for AI infrastructure, hyperscaler connectivity, and data center interconnection. Throughout my career I have managed €100M+ transformation and infrastructure programs, coordinating engineering, delivery, and commercial teams across multi-country environments while maintaining strong engagement with executive stakeholders. My work increasingly focuses on the evolution of digital infrastructure ecosystems, including: • AI-driven network environments • Hyperscaler and cloud connectivity • Data center interconnection (DCI) • Subsea and long-haul fiber networks • Fiber Backbone and FTTH Projects • High-capacity transport and backbone infrastructure Having worked internationally as an expatriate in Ukraine, Türkiye, Oman, the UAE, and Italy, I bring strong cross-cultural leadership experience and a deep professional network across the EMEA telecom ecosystem. Currently based in Italy and open to senior roles across digital infrastructure, hyperscaler connectivity, data center ecosystems, and strategic transformation programs.

Experience

Nokia

Global solution manager – Global Fiber & Transport Programs

Apr 2018 – Present · 8 yrs · Milan, Lombardy, Italy · On-site

  • Lead end-to-end delivery of global fiber, transport, and high-capacity connectivity programs across multi-country environments
  • Govern large-scale infrastructure initiatives including data center interconnection (DCI) and hyperscaler connectivity enablement
  • Coordinate engineering, product, deployment, and commercial teams to ensure execution alignment
  • Support AI-driven digital infrastructure environments requiring ultra-high-capacity network transport
  • Contribute to pre-sales and tender activities including delivery feasibility, risk assessment, and execution planning
  • Provide structured program governance covering scope, schedule, risk, and stakeholder alignment
  • Translate complex technical outcomes into executive-level program updates and strategic insights
Data CentersProgram ManagementProject ManagementService Delivery ManagementLeadershipFiber Optics+2

Ericsson

Head of Fiber Services - Middle East Africa

Feb 2016 – Dec 2018 · 2 yrs 10 mos · Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  • Led regional delivery and business growth for fiber, backbone, and high-capacity connectivity infrastructure across 50+ countries
  • Supported network evolution enabling data center connectivity, cloud platforms, and hyperscale traffic growth
  • Delivered 60% year-over-year revenue growth by aligning delivery capabilities with strategic solution positioning
  • Built strong C-level relationships with operators, regulators, and government stakeholders across MEA
  • Led pre-sales and solution design for national broadband, backbone, and digital infrastructure programs
  • Worked closely with regional sales teams to shape pipelines and strengthen win probability
  • Ensured delivery feasibility, risk control, and execution readiness during major bid and tender processes
Fiber ServicesBusiness GrowthNetwork EvolutionPre-salesSolution DesignBusiness Development+1

Vodafone

Senior Manager Access Transmission

Nov 2013 – Feb 2016 · 2 yrs 3 mos · Istanbul, Turkey

  • Defined access and transmission network strategies to connect mobile sites, homes, and corporate customers across nationwide fixed and mobile networks
  • Managed access leased line capacities, utilization, and related cost structures, ensuring alignment with operational and financial requirements
  • Held end-to-end responsibility for budget, AOP, and P&L preparation for the Access Transmission Network, including budget planning, defense, monitoring, and revisions in line with network demand
  • Managed relationships with regulatory authorities, including radio link (RL) frequency spectrum planning, allocation, and licensing processes
  • Spearheaded the national FTTH rollout program, defining business plan, deployment strategy, and execution model
  • Successfully delivered the first 100K Homes Passed within the first year of the FTTH rollout program
  • Delivered $8M CAPEX efficiency through the Smart CAPEX initiative, recognized as a Vodafone Group Best Practice, and reduced transmission OPEX by 45% through optimization initiatives
  • Supported enterprise capacity and fiber pre-sales activities by ensuring network readiness, capacity availability, and realistic delivery commitments, contributing to approximately $10M in incremental revenue
Access TransmissionNetwork StrategiesBudget ManagementFTTH RolloutCAPEX EfficiencyProgram Management+1

Lifecell

Head of Transport Network Division

Apr 2010 – Nov 2013 · 3 yrs 7 mos · Kiev, Ukraine

  • TURKCELL GROUP COMPANY - ASTELIT
  • Managed end-to-end transport network operations for nationwide GSM infrastructure, covering IP, MW, SDH, DWDM, fiber optic transmission networks, and leased lines
  • Led a 50+ person engineering and operations organization, reporting directly to the CTO
  • Held full operational responsibility for 12,000 km of fiber optic network, ensuring availability, performance, and capacity readiness
  • Defined high-level transport network strategies, KPI frameworks, and operational targets for network and operations teams
  • Owned P&L responsibilities for transport-related business plans and service ROI, working jointly with business units on investment and service decisions
  • Ensured continuous technology evolution and transformation, aligning network capabilities with company vision, competitive landscape, and industry trends
  • Operated and managed multi-vendor environments including ERICSSON, HUAWEI, NSN, and TELLABS transmission platforms
  • Implemented BCM, ITIL, and eTOM frameworks to improve operational excellence, service continuity, and process maturity
  • Supported wholesale and enterprise pre-sales activities by validating network capabilities, capacity availability, and delivery feasibility during bid and proposal phases
Transport Network OperationsGSM InfrastructureP&L ResponsibilitiesOperational ExcellenceLeadershipProgram Management

Turkcell

Head of Transmission Network Planning Unit

May 2005 – Apr 2010 · 4 yrs 11 mos · Istanbul, Turkey · On-site

  • Managed all transport network planning activities for nationwide GSM and 3G networks, covering backbone and access transmission domains
  • Held end-to-end responsibility for the IP-based 3G transmission network project, including architecture definition, rollout, and execution
  • Delivered the world’s first All-IP 3G RAN transport network, enabling scalable, future-proof mobile broadband architecture
  • Managed budget preparation and investment planning processes for transmission network programs
  • Led IP/MPLS network tenders and implementation projects, ensuring technical compliance and delivery alignment
  • Delivered VSAT hub implementation and managed transmission product lifecycle activities
  • Acted as ITU-T focal point within Turkcell, representing the company in international standardization activities
  • I• nvestigated, tested, and evaluated new transmission technologies, products, and features, preparing procedures for network-wide deployment
  • Managed all transmission-related tenders for 2G and 3G networks
  • Defined mid- and long-term transmission network strategies aligned with Turkcell Group objectives
  • Operated and integrated multi-vendor transmission environments including ERICSSON, HUAWEI, ALCATEL, and NEC platforms
  • Supported pre-sales and solution definition activities by providing network planning input, technical validation, and delivery feasibility for new services and technologies
Transport Network PlanningIP/MPLS NetworkBudget PreparationInternational StandardizationStrategic PlanningProgram Management

Nortel networks

Sales Account Manager

May 1996 – May 2005 · 9 yrs · Istanbul, Turkey

  • Sales Account Manager for Aycell and AVEA GSM Operators
  • Responsible of selling Nortel's GSM, IP, ATM and Transmission Products and services
Sales ManagementGSM ProductsIP ServicesTransmission ProductsSalesAccount Management

Education

ERICSSON ACADEMY

Business Administration and Management — General

Jan 2016 – Mar 2018

VODAFONE ACADEMY

Transformational Leadership Program (TLP)

Feb 2014 – Dec 2015

INSEAD Executive Education

Finance for Managers — Finance

Jan 2012 – Dec 2012

Harvard ManageMentor Program

Leadership Development Program

Jan 2007 – Jan 2010

Karadeniz Technical University

Bachelor of Engineering - BE — Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Sep 1990 – Jun 1994

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