Richard Sparkes
About Richard Sparkes
Richard Sparkes is a Product Manager specializing in VoLTE, VoNR, and 5G technologies at Ribbon Communications, where he has worked since 2018. He has extensive experience in telecommunications, having held various roles in program management and engineering across multiple companies.
Work at Ribbon Communications
Richard Sparkes has been employed at Ribbon Communications since 2018. He currently holds the position of Product Manager for VoLTE and VoNR, a role he has occupied since 2022. In addition to this, he also serves as Product Manager for 5G and MEC, a position he has held since 2020. His work involves specializing in containerized VoLTE/VoNR/IMS Core solutions, focusing on both 4G and 5G voice technologies. Sparkes is responsible for developing deployment strategies that assist telecommunications operators in transitioning to containerized solutions.
Previous Work Experience
Before joining Ribbon Communications, Richard Sparkes held several positions in the telecommunications sector. He worked at Kineto Wireless as a Programme Manager from 2013 to 2014 and as European Programme Manager from 2011 to 2013. He also served as Director of Program Management at Sonus from 2014 to 2017. Earlier in his career, Sparkes worked at Orange as a Senior Network Designer from 2000 to 2004 and as a Senior Technical Consultant from 2004 to 2006. His extensive experience spans various roles that have contributed to his expertise in telecommunications.
Education and Expertise
Richard Sparkes studied Electronic Engineering at the University of Hull, where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng) degree from 1987 to 1991. He completed his earlier education at Bradford Grammar School from 1979 to 1987. Sparkes specializes in the development and deployment of VoLTE, VoNR, and IMS Core solutions, with a focus on adapting strategies for operators at different technological readiness stages. His expertise includes evolving deployment strategies for telecommunications operators transitioning to containerized solutions.
Career Timeline
Richard Sparkes has a diverse career in telecommunications spanning over two decades. He began his career at Orange, where he worked in various roles from 2000 to 2006. He then joined Kineto Wireless, where he held multiple positions from 2006 to 2014. Following his tenure at Kineto, he worked at Sonus from 2014 to 2018. Since 2018, he has been with Ribbon Communications, where he has taken on multiple product management roles. His career reflects a steady progression through increasingly responsible positions in the industry.