Nokia has appointed Priya Narayanan as its Client Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for India. In this role, she will lead strategic technology engagements with key customers, helping communications service providers navigate network transformation, accelerate innovation, and build future-ready digital infrastructure.
Priya Narayanan brings close to 20 years of experience in the telecommunications sector and is an alumna of XLRI Jamshedpur and the University of Mumbai, combining strong technical expertise with strategic business leadership. Prior to this appointment, she served as Principal Consultant at Nokia Bell Labs where her work included advising on 5G business models, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), and the development of next-generation network architectures. Her expertise lies at the intersection of emerging technologies, innovation-led strategy, and customer-focused transformation.
Earlier in her career, she held key positions across Nokia’s ecosystem and gained valuable industry exposure through roles at Airtel, Nokia Siemens Networks, and Alcatel-Lucent. This blend of experience across operators and technology providers has equipped her with a well-rounded perspective on the telecom landscape, positioning her to effectively drive Nokia’s customer technology initiatives in India.
Her track record in guiding large-scale network transformation, fostering customer-centric innovation, and translating emerging technologies into scalable business outcomes positions her as a leader capable of driving sustainable growth in an increasingly digital telecom landscape.
Priya Narayanan’s appointment comes at an important time for India’s telecom sector, as companies are increasing their investments in 5G, AI-based network management, cloud technologies, and digital services for businesses. As customer needs change and technology becomes more complex, telecom providers are looking for partners who can offer both new ideas and long-term value.
In her new role, Priya Narayanan is expected to strengthen Nokia’s engagement with communications service providers, helping them navigate evolving technology landscapes while unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation.
The appointment underscores Nokia’s continued commitment to delivering customer-centric innovation and shaping the future of digital connectivity in India, one of its most strategic markets.
