Nokia Siemens appoints Asia-Pac boss

Newly formed Nokia Siemens Networks has appointed its first Asia-Pacific head amid the backdrop of financial and headcount challenges.

Rajeev Suri, previously senior vice president of Nokia Networks Asia-Pacific, will oversee Nokia Siemens' operations in the region.

Suri began his career with Nokia in 1995, holding several senior positions in myriad locations.

His appointment coincides with expected weakness in the market, with the company forecasting lower than expected growth.

"The company expects very slight market growth for the mobile and fixed infrastructure and related services market in Euro terms in 2007," Nokia Siemens, which will sell infrastructure gear to build wireless and fixed-line communications networks, said in a statement.

Nokia and Siemens announced plans to form the joint venture last June. At that time, the company estimated cost savings of about US$2 billion by 2010.

Much of the cost savings will come from restructuring, which will include a 10 percent to 15 percent reduction in work force. Initially, about 60,000 workers are expected to lose their jobs.

Nokia Siemens is one of the largest makers of communications gear in the world, competing with companies such as Alcatel-Lucent, Nortel Networks and Ericsson.

The joint venture was expected to begin operations at the start of the year. But it was delayed due to a corruption investigation that involved several Siemens executives allegedly accepting bribes.