John Frieslaar

Telecom Strategy & Innovation Consultant

John Frieslaar

As MTMG’s Expert in Next-Generation Networks & Sustainable Infrastructure, John is a visionary in telecommunications who translates complex technical concepts into strategic business advantages. With over 20 years of leadership experience, including as former Chief Technology Officer for Western Europe at ZTE Corporation, John bridges the gap between emerging technologies and practical business implementation. His thought leadership on open access networks, broadband, 4G/5G/6G evolution, and sustainable infrastructure has shaped the industry’s direction.

Throughout his career at ZTE, Huawei, BT, and Lucent Technologies, John has secured over £1bln in new business while developing innovative solutions across network architectures, fiber deployments, and large-scale Telecom systems. He excels at helping organizations navigate critical decisions about digital transformation, infrastructure models and technology adoption that impact long-term competitiveness.

John’s expertise extends beyond technology to its transformative impact across industries, from healthcare and manufacturing to energy and smart cities. His strategic approach to business continuity planning ensures organizations maintain resilience through technological disruptions. At MTMG, John will lead our telecommunications innovation practice and play a key role in our expanded focus on sustainable ICT infrastructure, helping clients reduce operational costs while advancing environmental responsibility.

I have always enjoyed meeting with John and discussing opportunities where our 2 companies could work together to add value to both. John is an excellent technologist and futureoligist who has a great way of explaining complex issues in easy to understand formats to us less technical folk. John also understands the need to couple technology with business drivers and I have always enjoyed going from a blank whiteboard to a top level value proposition with him. He is open, giving and totally trustworthy and makes technology fun - his enthusiasm is infectious. Unfortunately I have never been a colleague but I think that's a testimony in itself as John always looks for the best combination of products to satisfy the customer and market demand, and positively reaches out to get to the best solution.

John is exceptional at translating complex business needs into clear and actionable technology and process based solutions. John is a visionary who is capable of seeing what the confluence of social, mobile, web, policy, market and technological change will require in terms of business solutions.

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