Prior to joining ST Engineering iDirect in 2023, Kuppanna worked at Ribbon Communications for over 20 years, where he contributed to the development of scalable and interoperable networks.
ST Engineering iDirect has announced the promotion of Sridhar Kuppanna to Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective immediately. He will continue to serve as the companys Senior Vice President of Engineering. With over 25 years of experience in telecom innovation, AI applications, virtualisation, cloud computing and network orchestration, Kuppanna will play a key role in shaping the companys technological direction and innovation strategy.
Kuppanna has been instrumental in the development of Intuition, ST Engineering iDirects next-generation ground system. This platform, designed to optimise operational efficiency through virtualisation, orchestration and automation, is set to enhance customer performance and redefine satellite communications. Initially launched in October 2024 for select customers to integrate and test within their networks, Intuition is scheduled for wider market availability later this year.
Before joining ST Engineering iDirect in 2023, Kuppanna spent more than two decades at Ribbon Communications (formerly Sonus), where he played a crucial role in developing scalable and secure network solutions. His expertise in global communications networks will be vital as ST Engineering iDirect works towards integrating satellite and terrestrial networks, enabling seamless mobility and roaming capabilities.
Commenting on the appointment, Don Claussen, CEO of ST Engineering iDirect, said: “Sridhar’s philosophy on turning customer challenges into innovative solutions has driven the creation of Intuition and aligns with ST Engineering iDirect’s dedication to advancing the satellite communications industry. His telecom expertise and success with next-generation solutions like Intuition reflect our shared commitment to innovation and solving real-world connectivity challenges for our customers. We are confident Sridhar’s leadership will accelerate our innovation and competitiveness, and drive the future of satellite and terrestrial network interoperability.”
Kuppanna added: “The satellite communications industry is undergoing a pivotal transition as it aligns closer than ever with terrestrial telecom networks. In this dynamic landscape, I look forward to driving our technology and innovation strategy to accelerate our vision of seamless global connectivity, and empowering our customers to secure a stronger, more competitive foothold in their focus markets.”
