Holger Erkens

Driving DT strategic partnerships in AI and semiconductors

Greater Koblenz Area

About

Experienced tech leader and strategist with 20+ years in telecommunications, semiconductor, and data center industries. Proven ability to lead multinational teams, align stakeholders across technical and executive levels, and manage cross-industry alliances. Experienced in technology R&D and procurement. Recognized for shaping industry initiatives, accomplished public speaker and moderator.

Experience

  • Senior Partner Manager at Deutsche Telekom
    Jul 2020 - Present · 6 yrs

    • Led strategic/operational partnerships with network technology, datacenter & semiconductor suppliers • Represented customer voice including C-level engagement • Developed semiconductor strategy across Deutsche Telekom Group • Orchestrated EU-wide operator cooperation for Open RAN • Coordinated the integration certification initiative of AT&T, Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom • Secured public innovation funding (Germany and Europe) • Speaker and moderator at trade fairs and events • Program lead for Telekom Campus Fair • Inventor on 2 patents on Open RAN, data centers, AI

  • Co-chair OpenRAN project group at Telecom Infra Project
    Mar 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 4 mos

  • Senior Target Costing Manager at BuyIn
    Apr 2016 - Jul 2020 · 4 yrs 4 mos

    • Developed cost models for RAN, Core & Data Center procurement • Conducted TCO analyses during negotiations to drive savings • Benchmarked deals and measured procurement performance • Advised Deutsche Telekom and Orange on technology-driven sourcing

  • Project Manager ASIC Development at Rohde & Schwarz
    Mar 2013 - Mar 2016 · 3 yrs 1 mo

    • Managed semiconductor R&D projects (up to €1M budget) • Led chip design teams (up to 12 engineers) • Improved internal chip development processes

  • Lecturer at FH Aachen
    Oct 2012 - Mar 2013 · 6 mos

    • Taught and examined "Radio Frequency Measurement Techniques"