GSMA IoT at GSMA Thrive North America

Mark recently joined IBM looking at global IoT, 5G, Edge, and AI technologies and business strategy. He has over 30 years of experience in executive roles at a broad range of telephony, infrastructure, and networking companies. Prior engagements include: global IoT strategy for J.D. Power, a global leader in insights and data analytics. Mark has also worked with Amazon Web Services (IoT), Cloud Technology Partners, TELUS, Freewave, and others. Previously he served at Vodafone as VP of IoT Americas. Mark is the Vice Chair of the board of the MIT Enterprise Forum (MITEF) Cambridge, and chairs the annual Connected Things Conference held at the MIT Media Lab. He also chairs the board at VR pioneer ROTU Media & Entertainment.

He is a frequent speaker on the topic of IoT/Connected Things at conferences and events. Mark has been a guest lecturer at MIT, Tufts University, Boston University, and other universities. At Tufts, Mark currently oversees four Master’s Candidates researching their thesis (capstone) projects on IoT topics and is leading his 16th Summer Practicum for a team of graduate students researching IoT issues.

He co-hosts the highly-rated “Failure the Podcast” series as well as many podcasts for MITEF Cambridge’s annual Connected Things conference. Previously, he co-hosted 29 podcasts called the “Tech Entrepreneur.

Sameer Vuyyuru is currently the Head of WW Business Development for Communication Service Providers at Amazon Web Services (AWS). His team works with all of the leading players in the Telco ecosystem in the co-pursuit of transforming the way networks and network services are built and monetized in the future.

Sameer is a Customer Obsessed veteran of the Telecommunications Industry. He prides him on delivering Value through Innovation to the Telecommunications Ecosystem Worldwide. Sameer was most recently the Co-Founder and CEO of Wayz.ai, a Shanghai based AI start-up delivering Predictive Network Services for Self-Organizing Networks. Prior accomplishments in the Telco space include helping launch the first ever 40G and 100G optical transport networks, LoRa (The largest IoT Network as a Service) and numerous other innovations starting from GPRS baseband and driving through the generational upgrades all the way to 5G.

His past roles include SVP/GM at Comtech where he ran the E-911 and Messaging Product lines. His team expanded the market to 86 different Telcos WW through innovating on Network Function virtualization, on AWS for ease of deployment and agility. Prior to that he was SVP/GM at Semtech for the Advanced Communications group. Sameer started his career with Texas Instruments working on system level solutions for 2G Baseband in their Mobile Computing Architecture Labs. Sameer holds an MSEE in Digital Signal Processing from Texas Tech University and an MBA from Southern Methodist University.

Spencer Rosen is a senior business development and strategy leader with an extensive background in technology product sales, partnerships, operations and channel distribution, and currently serves as Head of Business Development for Connected Infrastructure at Harman. He joined the company via the acquisition of Savari in February 2021. Spencer built expertise in V2X, telematics, connected infrastructure, data science, artificial intelligence, usage-based insurance, and the connected car ecosystem from leadership roles over the past 12 years at Savari, Zendrive, Verizon Connect, Verizon Enterprise Solutions, and Verizon Wireless.

Across a blend of tech startup and global corporate experience, he has a proven track record of delivering strong revenue growth through multimillion-dollar programs for global automotive and telecom businesses including AT&T, Ford, GM, Honda, PACCAR, Tesla, Verizon, Vodafone, Uber and more. He draws on 20+ years of experience working with and at Silicon Valley tech startups to focus teams on solving real problems, achieving product market fit, and scaling.

Aruna Srinivasan is the Executive Director of IoT Capabilities at the GSMA. Ms. Srinivasan directs the IoT Big Data, Edge Computing and 5G IoT Manufacturing initiatives, working with mobile operators and ecosystem partners to develop new technology enablers and drive market adoption. Ms. Srinivasan has over 18 years of strategy, technology and programme delivery experience with the GSMA, Third Horizon Consulting, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Australia Gas Lighting and Arthur Andersen Consulting. She holds Bachelor of Software Engineering and Master of Commerce degrees from the University of New South Wales, Australia.

Shane Rooney is a Senior Technical Director at the GSMA, leading activities in IoT and bringing together strategies and synergies across industry verticals and wider IoT ecosystems. Shane had previously led the GSMA’s initiative in developing mobile solutions in Smart Cities and collaborating with cities like Barcelona, Dubai and Shanghai. His team has developed a wider range of Smart City Indicators, Case Studies and Business Cases demonstrating the importance of mobile technology. His team also have developed enablers in IoT Security and embedded SIM. He has led the launch of the Cellular LPWA Networks Technology (LTE-M and NB-IoT) initiative globally and is now promoting Cellular V2X technology. Previously he has been a Group Vice President with Etisalat, developing solutions for Energy, Security and Transport IoT solutions for Middle East, Africa and Asia. Before that he has worked with other Mobile Operators, Vodafone, Hutchison and 3 UK as well as launching and divesting of his own M2M company. Shane pioneered early telematics and connected car solutions for Ford Motor Company in the USA and Europe. He has extensive Global experience. He holds a PhD in Communications Systems specialising in Location Based Services and studied Business Marketing at IMD Switzerland.

As the principal IoT analyst in GSMA Intelligence, Sylwia leads the IoT product development. Her responsibilities range from sizing the IoT opportunity, including the role of operators, to researching and analysing IoT technologies, applications and business models. Sylwia has also moderated and presented at a number of conferences. Sylwia previously worked in telecommunications, media and technology with Pyramid Research.