Nokia-Siemens chief takes Big Air role

Australian wireless player Big Air has appointed Paul Tyler, the local head of network hardware specialist Nokia Siemens Networks, to be its non-executive chairman.

In a statement issued this morning, Big Air, which operates fixed WiMax networks in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, said Tyler would bring international experience in the communications field to the telco, as well as best practice management skills.

The executive was previously the country director of Nokia Networks Australia before taking an expanded role after it merged with Siemens' network hardware business.

Tyler replaces former Big Air chairman Danny Herceg, who left the group in late August. Big Air will still be led by managing director Jason Ashton and CFO Patrick Choi, who are also executive directors of the company.

Ashton told ZDNet.com.au today Nokia-Siemens was not a supplier to his company. The network specialist supplies hardware and services to a number of major telcos in Australia such as Optus, Hutchison and Vodafone.