Sterlite Technologies on Tuesday announced the appointment of Christopher Rice as Chief Executive Officer for Access Solutions Business.

Rice brings over 25 years of experience in the telecom industry, according to a statement. Before STL, he was associated with AT&T where he delivered on a multi-year technology strategy and vision for both the network and the underlying system’s evolution.

He also led AT&T’s pivot to software-defined networking (SDN), leading the team that built the fundamental automation and platform capabilities to drive this shift. 

Anand Agarwal, Group CEO, STL, said, “I am extremely excited to have Chris lead our Access solutions team. I am sure that with an exceptional track record in driving these major shifts globally, Chris will take the 5G and access solutions business to the next level and achieve technology and market leadership for STL. I welcome Chris to the STL family and wish him the best for this new journey.”

Christopher Rice, CEO - Access Solutions Business, STL, said, "I am very excited to lead this business and this impressive team. Together, we will build next-gen solutions to realise the full potential of fibre broadband and 5G. We will deliver these with programmability and at the cost points the industry is demanding.”

Rice holds an MBA from the University of Central Florida, a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, from Virginia Tech, and is a graduate from Rutgers’ wireless information networks Laboratory (WINLAB).

With over 5 years of investment in access technologies and key product launches, the company has launched the Access Solutions Business Unit focusing on Open RAN, 5G, programmable FTTx, and controller/orchestration software.