Salil Ahuja, Chief Strategy Officer, Shaurrya Teleservices
Salil Ahuja is currently serving as chief strategy officer (CSO) at Shaurrya Teleservices and is leading the company’s transition from a neutral host provider to a comprehensive digital transformation partner. The firm is building a modular digital transformation platform that integrates AI, surveillance and cloud solutions, going beyond traditional infrastructure. As CSO, Ahuja oversees enterprise platform architecture, strategic partnerships and innovation in areas such as network-as-a-service and digital connectivity rating. He also drives AI and cloud integration across the company’s offerings to ensure scalability and interoperability.
Ahuja began his career in the UAE telecom sector and spent over two decades leading enterprise connectivity initiatives with Etisalat and other key organisations. “Exposure to the UAE’s advanced digital landscape has helped me in evaluating global technologies and apply relevant learnings in India, aligned with initiatives like Startup India and Make in India”, he adds. He believes that India’s digital infrastructure landscape is evolving rapidly but remains fragmented, with multiple players deploying siloed technologies and creating duplicated networks. “At Shaurrya Teleservices, our mission is to address this by building scalable, neutral digital ecosystems that unify mobility and internet layers using AI, cloud and internet of things”, he adds.
Ahuja believes that the next decade of Indian telecom will be shaped by the convergence of infrastructure and enterprise technology, creating unified digital ecosystems. Sustainability will also become a competitive differentiator, with energy-efficient infrastructure, green towers and circular practices gaining prominence. Connectivity will evolve from a service to an assurance, forming the foundation of trust, innovation and business readiness.
Ahuja is a computer science engineer and also holds a postgraduate degree in business management. He considers his strategic clarity as his key strength. “Much of it comes from my time at Etisalat, where I contributed to its evolution from a data supplier to a solutions-driven organisation.” As for his management style, it is collaborative and feedback-driven. “I set clear goals while empowering teams to innovate their own paths. Transparency, cross-functional alignment and shared accountability form the foundation of my approach”, he adds.
When not at work, he enjoys aviation, photography and long-distance driving. He also mentors young professionals entering the telecom and tech sectors. “Reading about innovation, leadership psychology and new business models keeps me intellectually stimulated, while travel offers fresh perspectives that enrich my professional thinking.”
