Highway 9 showcases an enterprise-ready AI-RAN solution at NVIDIA GTC — read the announcement.

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Highway9 Network

Company

About

About Highway 9

Revolutionizing enterprise mobility with cloud-powered connectivity

Our Founding Mission

We founded Highway 9 Networks to bring the power of a modern full-stack — cloud platforms, virtualization, distributed systems software, and enterprise network security — to solve the enterprise mobility problem for the first time.

Our founding team previously led the creation and rollout of software-defined networking and security virtualization (NSX), hybrid clouds, and telco/edge clouds at VMware (now Broadcom). By leveraging advances in private mobile technology — free spectrum, multi-eSIM support, and private 5G — we combined our deep cloud-networking expertise to build a mobile cloud built specifically for the enterprise. 

The Strategic Shift to AI

The advent of AI brought a profound shift in our strategy — and two transformative opportunities:

AI Wireless Infrastructure

AI requires ultra-reliable, low-latency wireless with indoor and outdoor range that exceeds the capabilities of current solutions. The Highway 9 AI Cloud was built to meet these rigorous demands.

AI Driven Autonomy

AI enables unprecedented technology advancement. We leverage Agentic AI to create sophisticated agents that streamline the day 0, day 1, and day 2 tasks required to build and operate AI and mobile infrastructure.

Leading the AI Wireless Category

Over the past several years, AI has foundationally transformed the Highway 9 stack and our target market — allowing us to address the vast potential of the enterprise AI sector. We are proud to lead the AI Wireless Infrastructure category, leveraging the Highway 9 Virtual Mobile/AI Cloud platform to power the next generation of enterprise connectivity. 

Why Highway 9 Is Uniquely Positioned

Highway 9 is a Silicon Valley startup with a founding team from VMware that led the creation of three billion-dollar businesses — SDN/NSX (virtual network & security), hybrid cloud, and the Telco 5G/Edge cloud platform (selected by DISH to roll out 5G to 70% of the US market). 

Highway 9 is uniquely positioned to meet the AI wireless infrastructure need:

  • Cloud native command & control
  • Virtualization of spectrum, software defined edge
  • Enterprise network & security, IT practices
  • Cellular domain expertise, applied to private networks
  • Orchestration of devices, machines, users
  • “AI First” transformation via LLM, agentic & edge AI

Mission

AI Wireless

Infrastructure

Leadership

Company DNA

Cloud, AI, Net/Sec, Enterprise, Cellular

Patents

Founding team innovations

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Enterprise grade

Highway 9 is leveraging its cloud, software, enterprise, netsec & cellular expertise in building enterprise grade production systems.

Backed by Top Silicon Valley Investors

Our Leadership Team

Highway 9’s leadership has shaped networking from Ethernet to multi-cloud now merging private mobile networks with cloud agility.

Allwyn Sequeira

Co-founder & CEO

Debashis Basak

Co-founder & CTO

Serge Maskalik

Co-founder & VP R&D

Sachin Thakkar

Co-founder & Sr. Dir R&D

Dariush Afshar

Chief Commercial Officer

Michael Thornton

VP Sales

Ready to Build AI Wireless Infrastructure? 

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  • AI-readiness assessment
  • Coverage and latency analysis
  • Infrastructure evaluation
  • Modernization roadmap 
Chief Executive Officer

Allwyn Sequeira

Allwyn Sequeira is the CEO of Highway 9 Networks. A serial entrepreneur, he previously served as SVP/GM at VMware, leading multiple business lines and new ventures. He played a pivotal role in developing and delivering VMware NSX vSphere, the industry’s first software-defined networking (SDN) solution, which grew to over $2 billion in revenue.

At VMware, Allwyn also led vCloud Air, overseeing development, product management, IaaS platform and service delivery, cloud operations, and customer success. He later spearheaded the development of HCX, the industry’s first hybrid cloud migration and inter-networking service, which enabled seamless connectivity between VMware, enterprises, and public clouds. His work contributed to the creation of Telco Cloud Automation and Infrastructure—the world’s first platform integrating 5G containerized network functions—selected by DISH as its 5G platform. Earlier in his career, he co-founded First Virtual Corporation (FVC) and served as EVP of Products and Operations through its IPO and growth.
Chief Technology Officer

Debashis Basak

Debashis Basak is the Chief Technology Officer at Highway 9 Networks, bringing over 25 years of experience in networking, security, telecommunications, and cloud computing. Prior to Highway 9, he held leadership roles at VMware, including VP of Engineering for VMware HCX technologies, VP of R&D for vCloud Air, and Senior Director of R&D for Networking and Security.

Before VMware, Debashis co-founded Blue Lane Technologies and served as Director/Network Architect at AcceLight Networks. He began his career as a Lead Engineer at Fore Systems, a pioneer in ATM network switching technology.
Vice President of Engineering

Serge Maskalik

Serge Maskalik is the VP of Engineering at Highway 9 Networks, leading 5G Edge Cloud Services since 2020. Prior to joining Highway 9, he held senior leadership positions at VMware, including Sr. Director of R&D for the Telco & Edge Cloud Business Unit, where he helped develop VMware Telco Cloud Infrastructure.

At VMware, Serge also led cloud mobility services and the NSX Edge Service Router team, playing a key role in VMware’s network virtualization advancements. His earlier experience includes roles at Blue Lane Technologies, NetVMG, and Global Crossing, focusing on network security, advanced technologies, and system quality engineering.
Co-Founder


Sachin Thakkar

Sachin Thakkar is the Co-Founder of Highway 9 Networks and an entrepreneurial engineering leader driving innovation in networking and cloud technologies. His career includes pivotal contributions at VMware, where he led the development of the 5G Telco Cloud Platform and helped shape hybrid cloud solutions like VMware HCX. His work in network virtualization through VMware NSX has been instrumental in advancing cloud connectivity. Previously, he also contributed to Cisco’s Nexus software switching and UCS platforms, further demonstrating his commitment to redefining cloud infrastructure and connectivity.
Vice President, Sales

Michael Thornton

Michael J. Thornton is the Vice President, Sales at Highway 9 Networks. With over 20 years of experience in enterprise networking, cloud security, and telecommunications, he has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and market expansion.

Before joining Highway 9 in 2021, Michael was VP of Sales at Exium, where he led go-to-market efforts for secure networking solutions. He also held leadership roles at Greenwave Systems, F-Secure Corporation, and SpiderCloud Wireless, where he played a key role in scaling small-cell solutions for enterprise connectivity. His expertise in sales leadership supports Highway 9’s mission to transform private 5G and cloud connectivity.