Ed Reynolds was a consummate technology leader whose career ranged from re-engineering PBX systems, to deploying fiber optics, to implementing multiple wireless technologies. His skills moved him to the forefront of the wireless revolution as a leader in the transition from the original analog to increasingly advanced digital networks.
From his start as an Auburn University co-op student at South Central Bell, Ed earned his electrical engineering degree in 1970. He also held an M.B.A. from the University of Alabama. Ed advanced through the AT&T organization, and joined BellSouth Mobility as regional vice president in 1989 to take up the challenges of the new wireless industry. His task was to build and operate wireless systems across five southern states, and he quickly recognized the potential for bringing cellular service to rural areas as well as metropolitan centers. He served as chief executive of a number of BellSouth wireless entities as the industry experienced explosive growth.
With the formation of Cingular Wireless, Ed became president of network operations and took on the critical role of chief network officer. With the Cingular acquisition of AT&T Wireless, he was a key member of the team as he led the integration of the two networks — successfully blending two large overlapping nationwide networks on time and budget. This was the largest merger in the history of the US wireless industry at the time. During the integration process, Ed also introduced a state-of-the-art 3G network overlay. His skill in navigating a host of difficult network problems helped position Cingular to land the Apple iPhone deal, another transformative episode in the industry’s history.
Ed was a former executive committee member of the North American GSM Alliance, the CTIA Executive Committee and Board, and the PCIA Board of Directors. He was named to the initial Board of Directors of FirstNet, and served from 2012 until February 2018 bringing extensive wireless and executive level experience to the undertaking of building and deploying the nationwide broadband network dedicated to first responders.
He also served on the FCC Network Reliability and Interoperability Council, on the industry advisory board for Electrical and Computer Engineering at Auburn University, and on the Wireless Advisory Board and the Alumni Engineering Council at Auburn. He was a member of the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame.
Ed Reynolds passed away January 1, 2019.