Information Technology |
Advisory Council

Rod Nelson's 25-year career in telecommunications has included leadership roles in general management, technology development and application engineering with leading corporations, including a Fortune 500 conglomerate and a cellular telephone start-up that ultimately grew to a $41 billion company.

Rod served most recently as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of AT&T Wireless Services (formerly McCaw Cellular) where he led the Technology Development Group and laid the groundwork for the next stage of wireless technology evolution, known as Third Generation (3G). He also worked closely with national and international regulators and standards bodies on creation of 3G specs and standards, and developed spectrum strategies to make radio spectrum available for deployment of 3G.

Key technology accomplishments include the development of the Wireless Intelligent Network, including the deployment of the first general computer-based, off-switch Home Location Register in North America. He also developed a suite of IN based services that are a mainstream part of AT&T's Digital PCS service offerings. He led the team that developed the IS-136 TDMA technology for the new 1900 Mhz PCS licenses as well as new dual-band dual-mode handsets. Finally, he developed patented technologies to manage roaming traffic (Intelligent Roaming), which have contributed to significant reductions in corporate roaming rates.

Rod holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.