BELLEVUE, WA--(Marketwired - Dec 19, 2013) - 4G Americas, a wireless industry trade association representing the 3GPP family of technologies, including LTE, today announced that Kris Rinne, Senior Vice President - Network and Product Planning, AT&T, has been newly elected to serve as 2014 Chairperson of the 4G Americas Board of Governors. Rinne succeeds Neville Ray, Chief Technology Officer for T-Mobile USA, who served as Chairperson for the past five years, and will continue representing T-Mobile on the Board of Governors. The Board has also reelected Hans Ovesen, Vice President, Industry Relations at Ericsson, to serve as the association's Treasurer.
"We are honored to have Kris Rinne serve as the Chairperson of 4G Americas' Board of Governors. As we look forward to the future of wireless technology, it is our privilege to have Kris' leadership and expertise as 4G Americas addresses the challenges and opportunities for the wireless industry in North, Central and South America," stated Chris Pearson, President of 4G Americas. "Additionally, we are grateful to have Hans Ovesen continue as Treasurer in 2014."
A seasoned professional of the telecom industry, with more than 30 years of experience and numerous honors, Rinne holds an important leadership role in the wireless industry. Rinne is responsible for ensuring AT&T delivers on its current technology and product roadmap, including AT&T's Global IP backbone and core, radio access and wireless device requirements and certification. She also is responsible for network performance analysis and leading the implementation and expansion of AT&T's 4G LTE network. This year, Rinne was inducted into The Wireless History Foundation's prestigious Wireless Hall of Fame. In 2011, she was named "The Most Influential Woman in Wireless" by Fierce Wireless and ranked highly on the list in 2012 and 2013. She also is a member of the Global Telecoms Business Power 100 list of the most powerful telecom executives.
Ms. Rinne has participated on the 4G Americas Board of Governors for many years and served as Chairperson from 2005 to 2009. She will be highly involved in 4G Americas activities and contribute to the association's strategic vision, goals and objectives.
Rinne stated, "It is a privilege to be elected as the 4G Americas Chairperson for 2014 and I look forward to working with my fellow Board members and key wireless industry stakeholders to progress the association's initiatives benefiting the wireless industry in the Americas."
4G Americas' reelected Treasurer, Hans Ovesen, has been with Ericsson since 1990 and is responsible for the company's work with different industry groups and organizations. Ovesen has been active with the Board of Governors for seven years and his strategic leadership brings a global perspective and vision to 4G Americas Board.
4G Americas' Board of Governors members include: Alcatel-Lucent, América Móvil, AT&T, BlackBerry, Cable & Wireless, Cisco, CommScope, Entel, Ericsson, Gemalto, HP, Mavenir, Nokia Solutions and Networks, Openwave Mobility, Qualcomm, Rogers, T-Mobile USA and Telefónica.
About 4G Americas: Unifying the Americas through Mobile Broadband Technology
4G Americas is an industry trade organization composed of leading telecommunications service providers and manufacturers. The organization's mission is to promote, facilitate and advocate for the deployment and adoption of the 3GPP family of technologies throughout the Americas. 4G Americas contributes to the successful commercial rollout of 3GPP mobile broadband technologies across the Americas and their place as the No. 1 technology family in the region. The organization aims to develop the expansive wireless ecosystem of networks, devices, and applications enabled by GSM and its evolution to LTE. 4G Americas is headquartered in Bellevue, Wash. More information is available at www.4gamericas.org.