Shivaji Chatterjee is chief executive officer (CEO), president and managing director (MD) at Hughes Communications India. He oversees the company’s operations in India and drives strategic initiatives. He also acts as a liaison between the shareholders and the company’s management.
Chatterjee views satellite technology as inclusive and pivotal in bridging societal divides. He emphasises the ubiquity of satcom services, highlighting their role in enabling services such as direct-to-home, especially in remote areas of the country.
With an eye on innovative geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO) and low earth orbit capabilities, Chatterjee foresees a resurgence of satellite communications and believes that advancements such as xRAN/ORAN will revolutionise telecommunications networks. He predicts that non-mobile wireless and non-terrestrial network services, along with quantum technology for enhanced security, will address critical connectivity challenges.
He cites the company’s expansion into managed services and terrestrial and wireless solutions as a proactive response to bandwidth constraints, underscoring the significance of foresight in leadership. He also highlights the strengths of the company – its brand recognition; influential promoters such as Hughes and Airtel; skilled workforce; focus on domestic innovation; extensive clientele across the enterprise, government and defence domains; strategic alliances; access to leading satellite capabilities; and nimble decision-making.
Chatterjee has dedicated over 27 years of his career to Hughes. The driving force through his career has been his desire to bring about meaningful change in people’s lives. He attributes his success to his unwavering passion for his work, likening it to the mindset of athletes approaching each game with fresh enthusiasm.
One of his most memorable achievements was leading a head office role at the age of 30, taking charge of managing profit and loss for a newly established terrestrial business. Leveraging his frontline sales experience, he adeptly tackled challenges in unfamiliar terrain, showcasing his strategic acumen and leadership capabilities.
Reflecting on his formative years, Chatterjee recalls being inspired by mathematician Shakuntala Devi’s exceptional abilities. Chatterjee has a BTech in Computer Science from Pune and an MBA from Narsee Monjee College, Mumbai. He enjoys engaging in mind-stimulating games and spending quality time with his family in his leisure hours.