Based in Silicon Valley

Lauri Alho

Technology Executive·Nokia Bell Labs DMTS

I build the ecosystems around programmable networks and Network as Code, Nokia's B2B SaaS platform, pairing deep engineering with commercial execution to turn complex R&D into revenue. I decide which partners and use cases we take to market, and my team makes them work on live operator networks.

Portrait of Lauri Alho
3×
Nokia Business Excellence Awards
(2021 · 2024 · 2025)
1st
Healthcare-sector commercial customer for Network as Code (BeeHealthy, 2026)
40+
Organizations in the Nokia Arena innovation ecosystem
Profile

The application-to-network interface

Turning what the network can do into something developers, enterprises and AI agents can build on.

My work sits between the network and the applications that use it: taking capabilities such as number verification, Quality on Demand and L4S, turning them into tools developers and enterprises can build on, and into new revenue for operators.

I work closely with NVIDIA and Google Cloud on edge AI and network API initiatives. Working with operators including Deutsche Telekom, Elisa, and Telia, I have developed Network as Code proofs of concept and progressed the technology through to commercial launches.

I joined Nokia in 2019 as a software developer. In 2024 I was named a Nokia Bell Labs Distinguished Member of Technical Staff (DMTS).

Current focus

Network APIs for AI agents: making the network something applications and agents can call directly, and turning that into a business for operators.

Core Thesis

Programmable networks and edge AI as a service

My view: the network is becoming a programmable platform. As AI moves to the edge, that platform enables a new category, edge AI as a service. AI-RAN, AI built into the network itself, is the clearest example today, and network APIs are how it gets used and paid for.

Article · Nov 2025

We didn't just add AI to the 5G network. We replaced its engine.

My take on the Nokia and NVIDIA AI-RAN partnership: wireless networks become platforms for distributed edge-AI compute, and programmable APIs are how that compute gets monetized.

Read the article →
Article · Nov 2025

You asked the real operational questions on AI-RAN. Here are the answers.

A follow-up answering the operational and latency questions readers raised, and where Network as Code fits in taking AI-RAN to market.

Read the article →
Professional Experience

From systems engineering to ecosystem leadership

Aug 2025 – Present

Head of Ecosystem Development, Network Monetization Platform

Sunnyvale, California · Nokia

Relocated to Silicon Valley to scale Nokia's North American partner ecosystem and go-to-market for Network as Code, within the Network Monetization Platform business unit.

  • C-suite deal-making: Closed five cornerstone enterprise solution partners within 32 days.
  • Deep-tech orchestration: Leading live E2E Network as Code implementations within Nokia's alliances with NVIDIA, Google Cloud and T-Mobile.
  • Commercial launches: Led Nokia's side of the commercial Number Verification launch on Deutsche Telekom's network, and Nokia's first healthcare-sector commercial deal with BeeHealthy.
Jun 2023 – Aug 2025

Head of Ecosystem Development

Espoo, Finland · Nokia

Built the partner ecosystem for the new Network as Code platform from zero to one. Took the initial blueprint to market, defined the global partner strategy, and signed the platform's first commercial partners, including foundational integrations like Telia Sirius.

May 2019 – May 2023

Engineering to operational leadership

Tampere, Finland · Nokia

Advanced rapidly from a software developer to an ecosystem leader. Architected operational improvements for large agile organizations, and subsequently built and ran the flagship 5G innovation program at Nokia Arena, growing its partner ecosystem to over 40 organizations.

Highlights

Selected career highlights

Commercial milestones, keynotes and landmark moments from the public record. Select any image to enlarge.

Honors & Education

Recognition & research

Awards

Distinguished Member of Technical Staff (DMTS)

Nokia Bell Labs · May 2024

A lifetime title recognizing sustained, outstanding technical contributions to Nokia and the industry.

Nokia Business Excellence Award (3×)

Nokia · 2025, 2024 & 2021

2025: Network as Code business impact
2024: Telia Sirius deal team; led the Network as Code part
2021: Operational improvement; replaced manual progress reporting with real-time dashboards across a large agile organization

Education & Research

Master of Science (Technology) & Bachelor of Science (Technology)
Tampere University, Finland

Graduated with distinction in both degrees

  • M.Sc. (Tech.): Information Technology. Specializations: Signal Processing and Machine Learning; Industrial Management.
  • B.Sc. (Tech.): Computing and Electrical Engineering.
  • Accelerated path: Completed the five-year B.Sc. and M.Sc. curriculum in three years.
  • Publications: IEEE WCNC 2021 (Machine Learning Based Mobile Network Throughput Classification) · B.Sc. thesis (Visual Reward for Autonomous Driving, TAU Computer Vision Group, 2019).
Selected Work

A public record of demos, keynotes & press

A selected activity archive.

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