Mohammad Chowdhury
Curriculum Vitae
Profile
Mohammad Chowdhury is the Founder and CEO of Long Street Advisors. The firm supports government, technology and communications clients and investors in enabling meaningful digitisation. Mohammad focuses on the digital economy, digitisation in industries and regions and digital inclusion, diagnosing problems, building strategies for change, scaling up programs and driving lasting impact.
Over the past 30 years, Mohammad has shaped significant industry reforms as well as corporate growth plans across 80+ countries. His experience spans working on both corporate and government strategy topics. Mohammad tries to understand how connected technologies such as 5G, IoT and big data impact change in economies, communities, industries and how they impact growth. He cares about how clients need to think about issues such as inclusion, investment sustainability, national security, climate responsibility and wider digitisation through transformation and investment. Mohammad has served as a Senior Partner at PwC and its strategy consulting unit Strategy&, leading the firm's Telecom, Media and Technology practices across India, SE Asia and Australia. He has held executive roles in IBM's global telecommunications industry team and Vodafone Group and a role with the World Bank on secondment earlier in his career.
Mohammad is a Trustee of the UK's Institute for the Future of Work and chairs its Finance Committee, has written for Forbes, the Sydney Morning Herald and the FT and serves the board of a technology company in Bangladesh. He works in this sector because he cares about opportunity, equality and inclusion. Mohammad lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife and two children. His first book, Border Crossings, was published in the UK with new editions launching in Asia and Australia in 2023.
Employment History
Founder and CEO, Long Street Advisors (March 2023 - )
Based in Melbourne. Launching a consulting firm to support meaningful digitization serving clients globally.
Strategy&, Partner, Telecoms, Media and Technology Leader, Australia, NZ, SE Asia (Oct 2015 – Mar 2023)
Based in Jakarta and then Melbourne, Mohammad served as the Telecom, Media and Technology industry sector leader covering a single practice spanning around 10 countries. He served as Country Leader for Telecom, Media and Technology industries, all firm services, PwC Indonesia from 2015-2017. Mohammad’s role encompassed senior client management, market leadership, leading and delivering strategic projects and building and managing a substantial and growing practice. Mohammad was also a Diversity & Inclusion leader in the firm in Australia.
National Telecommunications Adviser, Myanmar (February 2015 – October 2015)
Flying in and out of Nai Pyi Taw. On a special sabbatical from full-time work, Mohammad served as Chief Adviser to the ICT Minister and the World Bank, to prepare for Myanmar’s first ever telecommunications Masterplan in the lead up to their first democratic elections. Mohammad led the drafting of key policies and ICT strategies, ran Myanmar’s first ever public consultation process for a major sector reform, collaborated with sector licensees, government bodies and foreign agencies, and briefed the Minister on multiple topics.
PwC India, Partner, Telecoms, Media and Technology Leader, Mumbai (May 2011 – February 2015)
Based in Mumbai. Mohammad served as the India TMT Leader for all lines of service, covering approximately 200 people and 12 partners. Mohammad’s role covered client and market leadership, leading strategic projects, brand and communications development for the practice, as well as practice development. The practice grew 2x in his 3- year term as leader and firmly established the firm’s brand in the sector. Mohammad supported opening PwC’s first office in Bangladesh.
Vodafone Group, Group Strategy Executive, London (2010 - 11)
Based in London with frequent travel. Mohammad was responsible for emerging markets strategy across India, Middle East and Africa for the world’s largest privately held mobile operator, with some 250m subscribers in markets he covered for the company’s Group Strategy. Mohammad was accountable to the Group Executive Committee and reported to the Group Strategy and Business Development Director.
Vodafone Egypt, External Affairs Director, Cairo (2009 - 10)
Based in Cairo. Mohammad was an Executive Committee Member of Vodafone Egypt, a company with 25m subscribers and $3bn revenues. He managed 9 operating units spanning regulation, government and investor relations, PR and communications, fraud, risk and security, comprising 120+ staff and $300m operating and capital budgets. Mohammad played a key role in managing Vodafone’s regulatory and investor strategy in Egypt, including managing relations with the Regulator and Minister, and working with the Chief Marketing Officer in creating market strategies to avoid a price war.
IBM Corporation, Global Telecommunications Industry, London (2003 - 08)
Based in London and Johannesburg, with frequent travel. In his final role at IBM Mohammad was responsible for IBM industry strategy (hardware, software, services) for a $6bn business including major and complex ICT solution sales to communications sector companies worldwide. Earlier he established IBM’s first telecom solution centre in India, supported the acquisition of Micromuse Inc. for $900m and played the commercial lead role for a number of major outsourcing deals with telcos across EMEA (spanning markets across Europe, Middle East and Africa).
PwC, London and Washington, D.C. (1990 - 2003)
Based in London, Washington, D.C. and (briefly) Brussels. In the UK, Mohammad was a Director in the Telecom Strategy practice and led a broad telecoms restructuring portfolio across Africa, Middle East and CEE, including creating the sector reform agenda in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Zimbabwe and Slovenia plus 20 other countries. In the US, Mohammad was the firm’s World Bank Account Director based in Washington D.C., appointed to the role at the age of 29 and served as a World Bank staffer on missions to West Africa, especially Ghana. Earlier in his career at PwC, Mohammad was an Associate and then Senior Associate in the Policy and Economics Group where he supported economic reform in post-break up USSR, developed Dubai’s post-oil economic blueprint and advised on UK electricity privatization, milk pricing and the case for Terminal 5 at Heathrow.
Education
Strategy and Competition Executive Programme, Harvard Business School (2002)
MPhil Economics & Politics of Development, Clare Hall, University of Cambridge (1989-1990)
BA Politics, Philosophy & Economics, St Anne’s College, University of Oxford (1986-1989)
Languages
English, Bengali (native); Arabic/French (intermediate), Urdu/Hindi (fluent)
Board Membership and selected other roles
Institute for the Future of Work, UK, Board Member and Chair of Finance Committee (2020- ). IFOW is a highly respected charity which leads the thinking on future of work issues and is heavily involved in shaping parliamentary perspectives and informing government legislation and policy.
mPower, Bangladesh: Board Member of start-up bringing mobile-enabled solutions to bottom of the pyramid population in emerging markets (2010- ). mPower is one of Bangladesh’s leading solution providers
On Device Research, UK: Board Adviser driving consumer market research on mobiles (2010- ). ODR is a digital marketing agency in the UK that has pioneered the use of digital and analytics technologies in prioritizing advertising impact.
GSMA Ministerial Programme, Advisory Board (2017- ). The GSMA is the world’s peak mobile industry body, with over 900 members and responsible for Mobile World Congress held at Barcelona annually. Mohammad has chaired Ministerial Programme sessions at MWC since 2011 and is one of the conference’s most recognized regular speakers.
Australian Institute of Company Directors, Member (2021- ). AICD is Australia’s peak institute for company directors, run on similar lines to the IoD in the UK.
Australian Institute of International Affairs, Member (2021- ). AIIA is a leading Australian think tank and research centre which focuses on Australian and global international affairs. Mohammad is an active member and has spoken at the AIIA on Asian affairs.
Telecom Asia Awards, Jury Member (2017, 2018)
Telstra Women’s Business Awards, Jury Member (2016)
Vodafone India Foundation Mobile for Good awards, jury panelist (2014)
mBillionth awards, India: Jury Panellist (2013)
Phandeeyar, Myanmar Innovation Hub: Mentor (2016- )
American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt: General Member representing Vodafone (2009)
Egypt National ICT Council, Member
Muslim Youth Helpline, UK: Chair, Board of Trustees of major youth charity driving social integration (2007-09)
Flytxt.com (later Buongiorno): Member of Board of Advisers (2007-08)
Near East Media, Jordan: Freelance writer (2006-07)
Executive Times Bangladesh, Senior Columnist (2003-05)
Center for Policy Development and Prime Minister’s Office, Bangladesh: ICT policy committee (2000-03)
Association of Economic and Development Studies on Bangladesh, Executive Committee (2001-02)
President, Oxford Majlis, four of whose Presidents became Heads of State in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (1987)
Member, Royal Over-Seas League, UK (2011- )
Member, Middlesex County Cricket Club, UK (2008-2013), due to Mohammad’s love of Lord’s Cricket Ground
Selected assignment and job experience
NSW Government: review of pilot program for Open RAN trial in advance of scaling across the state (2023)
Queensland Government: advised on development of digital economy strategy roadmap and initiatives (2022)
Queensland Government: advised on development of measurement framework for digital economy (2022)
Malaysia 5G: reviewed hypothesis for a shared use 5G national network (2022)
South Pacific Telco: Advised major telco on entry into the South Pacific telecommunications market (2021-22)
Victorian Government: built first-ever framework to link regional economic development to digitization (2022)
Austrade: built strategy for attracting 5G-related foreign investment into Australia (2022-23)
Saudi Arabia smart cities: Led workshop to showcase smart city related cases globally relevant for KSA (2021)
Beyond Digital launch: Led launch program for PwC / Harvard Business Review book in SEA / ANZ (2022)
NSW Government: developed corporate strategy and digitization measurement framework (2022)
NSW Government: developed investment case for public safety mobile broadband services (2022)
Smart cities, NSW: built investment case for smart places across NSW (2022)
Australian telco: strategic advice on entry into the Asia-Pacific telecommunications market (2022)
Major European cloud player: strategic advice and implementation support to scale Australia business (2022)
Australian telco: supporting development of playbooks for enterprise product development (2021)
Global tech company: advised global tech player in articulating its role in the Aus advertising tech market (2022)
Papua New Guinea: drafted information memorandum for privatizing state-owned telecom operator (2022)
Victorian Government: designed and led advice to Australia’s largest digital connectivity program (2021-2022)
Australian telco: reviewed potential implications of alternative roaming regulations (2021)
Australian telco: assessed alternative models for deployment of public safety mobile broadband (2022)
Cremorne: supported Victoria’s largest tech precinct to attract new digital investment (2021)
Australia’s largest private city: advised on attracting a global tech investor to set up a campus (2019-2022)
Electricity utility: advised utility on launch of a wholesale ICT and connectivity business (2021)
World Economic Forum: led WEF global initiative to engage on 5G’s role in the economy post COVID (2020-1)
Australian telco: advice on operating models for establishment of public safety mobile broadband (2021)
Western Sydney digital action plan: drafted Digital Action Plan for collection of 8 Sydney councils (2019)
Myanmar telecoms: officiated in spectrum dispute resolution between Government and major telco (2019)
Australian telco: advice on digital economy growth from investing in 5G, IoT and connected technology
AU mobile operator: advising on impact of uneven deployment of 5G in regions and implications (current)
SA Government: led ICT assets review in advance of the state creating a digital economy plan (2020-21)
NSW Government: advised on case for allocation of $250m investment into mobile connectivity (2020)
Australian energy utility: advised utility on launching a wholesale telecoms business (2021)
Australian Government: advised on fixed broadband performance in Australia (2020)
Victorian Government: advised a major insurance service provider on technology model options (2020)
GSMA: authored a global report on the Social Good of Big Data services over mobile (2019)
City of Brisbane: supported the city in identifying global opportunities for tech- and digital-led growth (2019)
Queensland electricity utility: advised on entry into the wholesale telecommunications market (2018-19)
Australia’s largest private city: created a Global Plan to enable the city to sustain its growth to 2041 (2019)
Commonwealth of Australia: Advised Government on future of Australian telecommunications industry (2019)
GSMA: Authored a global report on the opportunity for mobile operators in Big Data services using IoT (2019)
Internet Domains Administrator: Reviewed Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and plan (2018)
Australian telco: Advised on options to rationalize retail channel footprint (2018)
Australian integrated operator: Strategic plan creation for operator’s retail business (2018)
Australian telco: Diagnosed migration of fixed line customers to high-speed broadband services (2018)
Orange Business Services: Thought leadership in digital transformation across AsiaPac (2015-18; 2020)
Australian telecom operator: Digitisation and automation advice for customer services operations (2018)
Japanese comms company: Advised on feasibility of HAPS Satellite solutions for Australia (2018)
Papua New Guinea: Health check review for a major submarine cable investment connecting PNG (2018)
Australian Energy Market Operator: perspective on industry transformation from a telco perspective (2018)
Japanese investor: Advice on due diligence into three Indonesian e-Commerce businesses (2017)
City of Jakarta: Advised on introducing a citizens’ smart card with digital wallet and multi-functional use (2017)
Major Indonesian telco: Advised on transformation of enterprise planning systems with SAP S4/Hana (2017)
UN Broadband Commission: created digitalization scorecard to address regulatory and policy constraints (2017)
Vietnam telecoms: Reviewed strategy development project for #3 telco/media player in market (2017)
Thailand telecoms: Advised on restructuring options to split itself into several successor business units (2017)
Indonesian telco: Advising on a major project to transform the company’s supply chain (2016-17)
Bangladesh Government: Advised Prime Minister’s Office on creating a national payments scheme (2016)
Major Pan-Asia mobile operator: regulatory strategy advice for Indonesia and Bangladesh (2017-18)
Government of Indonesia: Strategy advice to ICT Ministry on digitalization initiatives across Indonesia (2017)
Bangladesh and Indonesia: Advising a major Asian telecom operator on their regulatory strategy (2017)
Philippines telecoms: Advised Australian operator on potential market entry into PH mobile market (2015)
Government of Myanmar/World Bank: Telecommunications Adviser, drafting Masterplan (2015)
GSMA: Advising on the potential opportunities and impacts of IoT and M2M on sector regulation (2015)
Major Indian telco: Advised on Asset Life Cycle Management project across $5bn asset base (2014)
Major global telco: Advised on strategic options for Indian telecoms investment (2013)
Indian telco: Advised on spectrum strategy and 900/1800 MHz auctions (2014)
GSMA: Led Connected Life project on m-enablement of Smart Cities, Automotive, Health, Education (2013)
GSMA: Led project to determine GDP, productivity and lifestyle impacts of mHealth in EU and LatAm (2013)
Start up: Advised a new entrant launching a mobile advertising proposition in emerging markets (2013)
Start up: Lead partner to new entrant establishing an MVNO proposition for iPhone users globally (2013)
Government of Myanmar: Advising the Union Minister for Telecoms on restructuring the telecom sector (2014)
Asia and Africa telco group: Steering Committee member for the global internal audit (2013)
Government of Bangladesh: Advisory input to Chief of regulatory authority on the design of 3G auctions (2013)
India 2G spectrum: Jointly advised three major industry player CEOs on implications of spectrum pricing (2012)
African telco: Oversight and practice support to PwC internal audit projects in the region (2011-12)
Major Indian operator: Lead partner advising on IPO preparation (2011-12)
Major Indian operator: Lead Partner for engagement to improve ability to forecast free cash flows (2013)
Major Indian operator: Lead Partner for best practice transfer to shared services operation (2013)
GSMA: Lead partner advising the industry on m-health market sizing and segmentation globally (2011)
Start up: Advised start-up m-health business in India on market opportunity and entry options (2012)
European telco: Set up innovation centre to build BoP and low-cost data services for Africa/India (2010)
European telco: Created data services strategy to pursue £1bn revenue growth over a 5 year period (2010)
European telco group: Directed emerging markets action planning for MVNOs, ethnic corridor and data (2010)
Middle East telco: Drove CSR and PR strategy in Egypt; drove VF expansion into rural areas (2009)
Media co: Reviewed integrity of client’s technology and business strategy and identified efficiencies (2008)
Egypt telco: Advised telco senior management on “agility” agenda to leverage IT and technology (2008)
India telco IPO: Advice on preparation of financial statements in accordance with I-GAAP (2012)
Middle East telco: Led the acquisition of the telco’s first fixed line FTTH licence (2010)
African operator: Led complex deal to integrate IT, innovation and technology across 21 markets (2008)
Eire telco customer care and billing: Led business case and strategy formulation to support $140m IT sale (2007)
Swiss telco: Commercial and strategy lead for $150m telco customer care outsourcing deal (2007)
German telco: Commercial lead for customer data system replacement (2006)
Italy telco: Supported reselling the company’s mobile consumer portal in emerging markets (2006)
Major US tech company: Pioneered move to building telecoms solutions in one location for global clients (2005)
Major global tech player: Drove next generation initiatives including gap-filling the software stack (2006)
Australia: Advised telco on creating a wholesale market for mobile broadband access in Asia (2004)
Asia Pacific mobile data: Advised investors on WiFi strategies in India, China, Hong Kong and Japan (2004)
Singapore: Advised on market entry into enterprise mobility services (2004)
Global satellite player: Advised CEO on new services in Africa/Asia; shaped entry into Nigeria and Turkey (2004)
Telco equipment player: Support on 3G and mega-networks market entry in Turkey, UK, Germany (2000)
Major European telco: Led business case and launch support for public WiFi services across Europe (2004)
Indian telco: Strategy for market entry into mobile data through wireless LAN (2004)
Pakistan mobile entry: Advised Warid Telecom on launch and customer acquisition strategy (2005)
Public Wi-Fi investment vehicle: Member of Apax’s investment committee for funding proposals (2004)
UK telco: Advised on case for EDGE investment to optimize 3G roll out timing in UK (2003)
UK telco: Advised on vendor options for deploying 3G radio access network (2003)
Start-up advice: Advised several “.com” start-ups and led successful VC funding applications (2001-03)
UK news agency: Reviewed economic, policy and financial options to reform global news services (1990s)
Emirate of Dubai: Devised Government’s successful long-term economic strategy (mid 1990s)
US telco handset player: Strategic advice on wireless data markets in Europe (2000-1)
Korean handset player: Advice on European distribution and channel strategy for mobile handsets (2001)
Channel Islands telco: Benchmarking tariffs with competitors in a competitive market (2002-04)
Middle East practice development: Developed strategy for Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan. (2003-05)
Government of Ethiopia: Built strategic partner options for Telecom Corporation. Advised Deputy PM (2001)
Slovak Republic: Long form preparation with JP Morgan for fixed and mobile telecom privatization. (2000)
Telekom Slovenia: Advised on disposal of public stake in Telekom Slovenia inc Cabinet and PM (2001)
Bahrain regulatory strategy: Advised telco following the opening up of the telecoms market (2003)
Belgian telco: Costing and regulatory review (2000)
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Led telecoms liberalization; advised Crown Prince and Supreme Council (2002-3)
Sultanate of Oman: Directed creation of liberalization framework for TMT sector; advised Minister (2002-3)
World Bank, Africa: Advised on numerous African privatization programs at Finance Minister level (1997-2003)
Ghana/World Bank: World Bank missions to design privatisation plan for 114 enterprises (1996-1998)
World Bank/Ghana: Negotiated Private Sector Adjustment Credit of $300m as part of WB/IMF team (1996-97)
Government of Poland: Advised Minister on regulatory strategy to liberalise international comms (2001)
UK major telco: Advised on long term asset depreciation and useful asset life policy (2001)
Irish telco: Advised on challenging regulator in award of GSM licence to Western Wireless in Ireland (1999)
Government of Pakistan: advised on the creation of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (1994)
World Bank/Government of Uganda: Advised on infrastructure and telecoms sector development (2000)
Kenya: Led commercial and financial due diligence for acquisition bid by major telco (2001)
Internet start-up: Raised $2m funding for start-up introducing telephony using domain name addresses (2001)
Government of Nigeria: Led PwC/Societe Generale consortium advising on sale of Nitel. Advised Minister (2002)
Government of Zimbabwe: Directed privatisation for Post and Telecom Corporation. Advised Minister (2000-01)
Government of Zimbabwe: Created country’s first telecom sector policy framework (1999)
Government of Iceland: Review of provisions for privatization of Lansimin, the national telecom operator (1999)
Government of Malawi: Short advisory engagement to prepare for privatization of Malawi Telecom (1999)
Government of Poland: Expert advising Minister on liberalisation of long-distance telephony (1999)
Government of Bangladesh/World Bank: Advised on telecom network expansion options (1998)
UK electricity sector: Advised on first regulation cycle of the privatized National Grid Company (1993)
Government of Kazakhstan/EU: Advised Industry Minister on competition and industrial policy (1993-94)
Government of Kuwait: Advice on economics of investment offsets programme (early 1990s)
Government of Azerbaijan/EU: Advised Deputy PM on competition and anti-monopoly policy (1995)
World Bank/Government of India: Reviewed foreign investment policy framework (1997)
Government of Kazakhstan/EU: Advised on foreign trade policy including support on WTO entry (1995)
World Bank/Government of Bangladesh: Lead consultant in telecommunications sector reform (1992-94)
Major UK airport: Economic analysis of case for a fifth terminal (1991)
Government of Pakistan: Adviser to Government on private financing of power transmission (1994-95)
Government of Pakistan/UK DFID: Advised on structure of power sector competition and regulation (1995)
Luxembourg infrastructure bank: Impact review of lending programs for regional development (1992)
Italy, France, Greece: Impact review of EU-funded programs to support SME development (1992)
Wales local government: Advised on options to organize unitary local authorities in South Wales (1992)
UK electricity industry: Profit forecasting for electricity grid business for privatization via IPO (1990-91)
Dairy control board, UK: Analysis of monopolistic pricing of dairy products in the UK (1990-91)
Selected conferences, publications and media
BBC Global News Speaker Series, Sydney: expert panelist on globalization (2019)
MWC19, Chaired panels of IoT Operator Capabilities and IoT Security (2019)
Australian-British Infrastructure Conference, speaker and session chair on 5G (2018)
AsiaPacific ICT public policy forum, Session Chair (2017)
6th Mobile IoT Summit, Barcelona, Session Chair (2018)
GSMA Mobile World Congress, Ministerial Programme Speaker 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Mobile Asia Expo, Hong Kong and Shanghai: mHealth panelist and keynote speaker (2011, 2012, 2013, 2016)
Mobile Security Summit, Mobile World Congress, Shanghai 2016: Chair
Rated lead commentator on Indian and emerging market telecoms from 2012-14
India telecoms: 50+ written publications and interviews across major national media (2011-)
Forbes India: Editorial advisory support and Blogger with over 60 articles and 150,000 page views (2012- )
3GSM Middle East, Dubai: mHealth speaker and panelist (2010)
Mobile Money Summit, Cairo: Keynote speaker and presenter (2009)
3GSM Middle East, Cairo: Keynote speaker (2008)
World Bank Public Enterprise and Privatization Project 1996: Project Adviser and Contributor
Privatization in Africa, World Bank, 1998: Contributor
Political imperatives for telecoms reform, Executive Times, November 2005;
Bangladesh Telecoms: Party over, or just beginning? Executive Times, March 2006;
Extending mobility services to enterprises in Bangladesh: Executive Times, July 2006
Border Crossings: personal memoirs of multicultural life journey, publication June 2021
Interests
Recent political history; writing on social and business topics; TV presenting; addressing social challenges through charity and advisory work; career mentoring; adventurous travelling and photography; cricket.