Mohammed Al-Balushi

Experience

• 

  Omantel

  Jan 2002 - Oct 2003

  Value Added services Support Engineer

  I have been active as a resource for my team in the following roles:• Configuring and operating LogicaCMG Short Messaging Service Center (SMSC).• Handling customer related queries for all SMS and VMS services• Providing support for the SMS and VMS services and troubleshooting problems, if any• Coordinating with vendors in case of critical issues and outages.• Coordinating with the other departments (Marketing, Data services and Planning) in case of introducing new services and features.• Performing training for new staff & provide them with the full support to understand the functionality of Network Elements.• Preparing weekly and monthly reports and VAS statistics. • Operating multi-vendor GSM network including Ericsson, Siemens and Motorola functionality of Network Elements. Voir moins

• 

  Omantel

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2006

  GPRS & MMS Support Engineer

  I was Involved since OmanMobile GPRS pre-launch phase. I have been active as a resource for my team in the following roles:• Commissioning, operating and Maintaining Multi-vendor GPRS networks including Ericsson, Siemens and LogicaCMG.• Configuring and troubleshooting Gb, Gn, Gr and Gi interfaces on Ericsson and Siemens GPRS core networks, packet backbone networks.• Dealing with different operating and monitoring tools such as Ericsson OSS, Siemens IP-Manager and Siemens workbench.• Handling customer related queries for all GPRS services provided by OmanMobile such as WAP, MMS, INTERNET and special Cooperate services. • Providing support for the GPRS services and troubleshooting problems, if any.• Coordinating with vendors in case of software and hardware upgrades of GPRS nodes.• Coordinating with vendors in case of critical issues and outages.• Acting as GPRS Operation and Maintenance Team leader in Management of the GPRS team and assigning different tasks and projects to the team members.• Working closely and coordinating with other departments like VAS, operations, IT to achieve the company’s goals and objectives. • Coordinating with the other departments (Marketing, Data services and Planning) in case of introducing new services and features.• Performing training for new staff & provide them with the full support to understand the functionality of Network Elements.• Preparing weekly and monthly reports and GPRS network statistics. Voir moins

• 

  Du

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2010

  I have been active as a resource for my team in the following roles:• Development of Packet Core and IP/MPLS BB deployment strategy involving constant engagement with NSN, Cisco and Huawei planning and deployment teams.• Extensively involved with development of design and deployment plan for Huawei PS Core Swap.• Effectively managed integration of NSN PS Core with Huawei STP ensuring that signaling cutover integration, MVI testing and acceptance was done as per deadlines.• Huawei Test Bed Packet Core successfully deployed .• Extensively involved with development of design and deployment plan for Huawei PS Core Swap. • Driving development of HLD/LLD for Huawei PS Core Swap• Driving the development of interface design for Mediation, VAS, Provisioning for Huawei PS Core project• Designed and managed MVI testing for NSN PS Core with Huawei & Ericsson.• Designed and developed production network test and cutover plan.• Part of the entire PS and IP Core deployment life cycle starting with Design, System integration planning, development and control of project scope and mile stones through to project closure/acceptance and hand over to Operations.• Preparing executive summaries highlighting project progress for Network Development management.• Development of Packet Core in house processes relating to Node Deployment, Change Management, Space and Power allocation and Acceptance Testing.• Working closely with the Vendor for development of scope, structure, resource plan and timelines for any project relating to Packet Core and IP/MPLS BB.• Ensuring that all deployment related risk areas are identified and mitigated effectively in timely manner.• Preparing project status reports and communication of project progress.• Managing all PS Core related deployment from HW delivery through to integration and acceptance.• Managing all PS Core and IP/MPLS BB end to end acceptance testing from review and development of acceptance test procedures. Voir moins I have been active as a resource for my team in the following roles:• Management of performance and network health monitoring activities of the mobile core network including PS & CS Core networks, IN and any other, as well as the IP/MPLS Backbone and DCN like (routers, switches, firewalls, remote access servers, DNS, RADIUS,..).• Studying new technologies and preparing RFI and proposals for adapting new technical solutions for improving network performance.• Preparing periodic network performance reports ( monthly, weekly,… etc)• Analyzing different network behaviors (capacity and quality bottlenecks) through the system traffic, statistics, processor load and Measurements• Advising on network performance improvement. • Managing all Core and IP/MPLS BB end to end acceptance testing from review and development of acceptance test procedures, execution of tests to coordinating with other teams to validate testing.• Support Mobile Core planning team with ongoing IN, packet core and IP/MPLS BB design.• Ensuring that required issues are escalated to the vendor offshore and local support and following up on action plans for resolution of identified issues and trouble tickets (TTs).• Providing support to Network Operations teams for management of emergency outages to major issue resolution.• Working closely with design teams to manage Change Request preparation, approval and implementation.• Working closely with Vendor for resolution of operational issues in conjunction with Mobile Core, IN & IPBB design and Performance management teams. Voir moins I was involved since Du Packet switch network pre-launch phase. I have been active as a resource for my team in the following roles:• Management of performance and network health monitoring activities of the PS core network.• Setting the relevant KPIs of the PS network and monitoring network performance based on the these set of KPIs.• Traffic measurements monitoring and analysis.• Initiating and drive actions to improve service quality and performance when required with support of statistics information.• Preparing periodic network performance reports ( monthly, weekly,… etc)• Analyzing different network behaviors (capacity and quality bottlenecks) through the system traffic, statistics, processor load and Measurements• Advising on network performance improvement. • Participating in implementation teams of EITC projects.• Support Packet Core planning team with ongoing packet core and IP/MPLS BB design.• Development of Packet Core in house processes relating to Node Deployment, Change Management, Space and Power allocation and Acceptance Testing.• Working closely with the Vendor for development of scope, structure and resource plan.• Managing all PS Core related deployment from HW delivery through to integration and acceptance.• Working to provide deployment teams with support from planning/design teams.• Working closely with design teams to manage Change Request preparation, approval and implementation.• Managing and implementation of production network Software version upgrades and follow up testing on PS Core and IP/MPLS network for 2G SGSN SG5.1, 3G SGSN SG, Flexi-ISN3.0 and IP Core 12010, 7609, 7206, 3550 and 3750 Routers.• Working closely with Vendor for resolution of operational issues in conjunction with PS Core design and Performance management teams.• Working closely with Du CS Core, Transmission, RAN, VAS, TSRM and OSS teams to provide PS Core/IP NW related support and vice versa. Voir moins

  • Packet Switch Implementation Senior Engineer

    Jan 2009 - Jan 2010

  • Core Network Support Senior Engineer

    Sept 2007 - Jan 2009

  • Packet Switch Core Senior Engineer

    Jan 2006 - Jan 2007
• 

  Ooredoo Oman

  Jan 2010 - now

  Currently, I am active in following:• Designing and Developing OSS & Tool Strategy to ensure alignment with overall business strategy• Following up strategy implementation for: fault management, incident/ problem management, umbrella management, change management, SQM and SLA management • Supporting the organization goal and commitment to align the use of available tools with the overarching objectives and targets of the organization. The focus is on leveraging technology to contribute to the achievement of strategic goals.• Leveraging the use of digitalization, automation and AI to streamline the services, improving efficiency, and reducing costs by creating or modifying new business processes, corporate culture, and customer experiences to align with evolving market dynamics. Also, by automating systems to solve network issues in real-time, improving reliability, minimizing downtime, optimizing network performance and customer experience. Incorporating intelligent systems and AI technologies to enable data-driven decision-making, predictive analysis, and other smart functionalities.• Engaging and interacting with other relevant departments / business units or stakeholder groups and advises around improvements.• Conducting regular audits for tools, processes and strategy, implementing best practices, and staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies• Overseeing the quality assurance team• Mapping organizational vision, missions and yearly objectives are cascaded to subordinates through SMART KPIs and do periodically reviews• Providing regular communications (tasks, goals, targets ...etc) to management and subordinates• Regular coaching, feedback and mentoring to subordinates • Devising strategic approaches to utilize the emerging technological trends (AI, ML,…) that encompasses various aspects of the business through providing the strategic visions, innovations and developments Voir moins I have been active as a resource for my team in the following roles:• Strategy designing and implementation of Tools and OSS framework and bringing best practices to network.• Driving the OSS & Tools strategy of Ooredoo Oman through automation & digitalization. Guiding and implementing all projects and requirements within the overall OSS framework to contribute to overall strategy of organization.• Responsible for the high-level design of OSS Solutions to support Network Design and Optimization and enhancement• Managing the projects related to enhancements, upgrades and integrations that falls under OSS framework and ensuring that the outcomes are delivered to budget, time and quality.• Managing the Lifecycle of the systems and solutions in OSS, including suggesting potentials and derivation of recommendations for action.• Analyzing and evaluating the business requirements in accordance with the business process and translates into them into feasible solutions• Accountable for arranging and discussion of OSS & tools budget internally to align on relevant values and priorities and with vendors through procurement• Accountable for governance of the OSS & tools frameworks to effectively govern the usage of tools and measure Managed Services Provider performance• Providing regular reports on progress of projects and other reports (audit, utilization, forecasts) to the management and different stakeholders • Reviewing, validating and auditing agreements, RFPs and contracts • Defining KPIs , SLAs to measure the vendors performance Voir moins I have been active as a resource for my team in the following roles:• Ensuring the quality and performance of network nodes and services.• Defining the strategy in terms of service monitoring (SQM/CEM)• Providing trends analysis, intelligent reports and consensus action plans to management and concerned stakeholders. • Analyzing raw data and proactively monitoring to highlight/prepare the study cases/ intelligent reports, recommendations and trend analysis to high management for network E2E.• Setup processes for the current/new tools to best practice usage methodologies.• Providing the technical experience and expertise to enable right implementation of SQM/CEM• Establishing guidelines for the network and services quality management and defining all relevant performance indicators and ensure their effective implementation.• Supporting the organization’s business objectives and long term strategy through analyzing the information gathered in the monitoring tools to update and highlight any change in network or service performance (CS, PS, VAS, RAN, WiMax & PSTN) to planning/operation and other teams. • Based on analytics, recommending to marketing what may be required to increase company’s profit based on customer’s behaviors• Participating in project teams to address problems that have immediate and negative impact on the organization. Voir moins I have been active as a resource for my team in the following roles:• Planning, deploying, expanding, upgrading and monitoring operational activities that related to packet Core (data services) Domain.• Managing and implementing projects within packet core network.• PS Core Network Swap evaluation, planning and implementing for network modernization from Ericsson to Huawei• Interfacing with commercial/Marketing for new services implementation.• Designing and conceptualizing new services/products as requested.• Responsible for the monitoring of PS Core nodes capacities & their utilizations.• LTE Evolved Packet Core network planning, implementation and testing and providing detail analysis on the identified impact on the system• Preparing for future upgrades, services and license planning and budgeting.• Working closely with NOC and vendor for software and hardware upgrades• Working as technical project manager for each assigned projects.• Provide technical feasibility for Marketing requests on new service enabling and existing services enhancement• Closely monitoring with PS core performance and optimization team in resolving any packet core related performance issue• Analyzing different network behaviors (capacity and quality bottlenecks) through the system traffic, statistics, processor load and Measurements• PS Core optimization and improvement recommendations Voir moins I have been active as a resource for my team in the following roles:• Managing and Implementing projects within packet core network• Management of performance and network health monitoring activities of the mobile PS core network .• Preparing QI (Qtel International) reports for Nawras Mobile PS.• Preparing PS network performance periodic reports.• Setting the relevant KPIs of the PS network and monitoring network performance based on the these set of KPIs.• Analyzing different network behaviors (capacity and quality bottlenecks) through the system traffic, statistics, processor load and Measurements• Helping PS core team in any customized reports/statistics needs• PS Core optimization and improvement recommendations• Managing and implementation of production network Software version upgrades and follow up testing on PS Core nodes (SGSN, GGSN, DNS, Radius) Voir moins

  • Section Head – OSS & Tools Strategy Assurance

    Jan 2024 - now

  • Senior Expert - OSS & Tools Strategy

    Jan 2020 - Jan 2024

  • Senior Expert Service Monitoring

    Jan 2015 - Jan 2020

  • Data Services Planning Expert

    Jan 2011 - Jan 2015

  • PS Core Optimization Senior Engineer

    Jan 2010 - Jan 2011