Tell us a brief version of your fascinating career journey leading up to your current role.
I have been fortunate to have held great jobs and worked with exceptional teams around the world throughout my more than 30-year career. It all began during the Telecom Liberalization Era in Finland with the Helsinki Telephone company (nowadays Elisa). This, coupled with my studies at Helsinki University of Technology where I specialized in Telecom and minored in International Business and Strategy, provided a strong foundation. My career has taken me, along with my family in earlier years, to various locations including Silicon Valley, Napa Valley in California, Munich (twice), Shanghai, Istanbul, Dubai, and soon to Riyadh. I strive to maintain curiosity and seek out new experiences, which has helped me find the 'positive' side even in challenging situations. In my current role as Head of Nokia Mobile Networks in the MEA market, I am able to apply the learnings from my past decades of experience. Nevertheless, I make an effort to learn new things every day, believing that it provides an opportunity for continuous growth. We have been fortunate to experience growth often enough, and in addition to curiosity, there are a few other factors that have contributed to my success. One is the practice of anticipating as much as possible; adhering to the philosophy that 'if you are on time, you are late' has allowed me to achieve more. Additionally, I believe in continuously seeking out opportunities for enjoyment and fun.
Since Nokia is one of our longest-standing members in the Finnish Business Council, what, in your opinion, are the main benefits of being part of the FBC community?
5G is enabling many new use cases in collaboration with smart governments and cities. Building these requires working not only with the government but also with smaller companies developing applications on top of 5G networks. FBC provides a good platform for both aspects; we have increased visibility with the UAE government and can also collaborate closely with Finnish companies active in the UAE. These are some of the biggest advantages for Nokia as a member. And, of course, participating in events organized by FBC ladies, Erika and Sanna, is also enjoyable.
How do you foresee the future evolution of the telecom industry in the next 5 to 10 years?
We are going to see significant changes with AI and Extended Reality. Current 5G networks will evolve to 6G by the decade's end. These networks underpin early AI development. Our goal aligns with Nokia's ESG strategy, focusing on building networks fostering global collaboration. This includes enhancing environmental sustainability in the digital world. In this region, we prioritize Health and Safety (ensuring everyone returns home safely daily), compliance (Nokia has maintained its status as the industry's most ethical company for 8 consecutive years), and bridging the digital divide through rural coverage. So a lot of changes in the society which are enabled by Telecom products.
When you are not traveling, how do you spend your free time?
I travel frequently, as you know from the question. For example, as I write these answers, I am en route to Stockholm and London for meetings during the Eid holiday. When I'm not traveling, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. My wife and two of my eldest daughters live in Finland. Tomorrow, I will briefly see my fourth daughter in London, and last week, my fifth daughter accompanied me while house hunting in Riyadh. In between, I had a good time with friends in Tahkovuori during Easter. I also enjoy reading, listening to music, and watching sports.
Do you still have any dreams in life that you hope to fulfil?
If I didn't have any dreams, I believe I would be ready to die. Dreams are a significant part of my life, always guiding me towards the next milestones. One of the earliest lessons I learned was that happiness comes before success. So, it's not just about pursuing the next dream; it's about living happily, knowing that good things, including dreams, will follow. I believe my dreams resonate with many readers: as we age, they revolve around health, the well-being of family and friends, and perhaps one more dream—to assist Finnish companies in achieving success in global markets in the future.
