Synopsis
On March 24, GSMA announced the election of Gopal Vittal from Bharti Airtel as its new Chairman until 2026, marking a significant leadership change in the global telecom sector.Key Takeaways
- Gopal Vittal elected as GSMA Chairman until 2026.
- Only the second Indian to hold this position.
- Oversees strategic direction for 1,000 global telecom companies.
- Mobile industry contributed $6.5 trillion to the economy in 2024.
- Airtel's influence noted with key leadership roles.
New Delhi, March 24 (NationPress) GSMA, a prominent organization that advocates for mobile network operators globally, has appointed Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, as its new Chairman until the conclusion of 2026, announced on Monday.
Vittal currently serves as the acting Chair of the GSMA board and stands as only the second Indian to lead this esteemed telecom industry organization, following Sunil Bharti Mittal.
In his new capacity, Vittal will guide the strategic direction of the GSMA, which includes a membership of 1,000 telecom entities around the globe, alongside manufacturers of handsets and devices, software firms, equipment suppliers, internet companies, and organizations in related sectors.
“I am privileged to be elected as the Chair of the GSMA Board. The mobile sector contributed $6.5 trillion to the global economy in 2024 and serves as the backbone for much of the world's innovation,” stated Vittal.
The GSMA, unifying the mobile ecosystem on a global scale, is essential for discovering, developing, and delivering innovations that drive positive change for all.
“I am eager to collaborate closely with the GSMA team and the rest of the Board to further this vital work,” he added.
This appointment underscores the considerable influence of Airtel within the global telecom landscape, with both Mittal and Vittal having occupied key roles on the GSMA Board for numerous years.
Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, expressed, “I have collaborated with Vittal for many years and am thrilled about his appointment as Chair of the GSMA Board.”
“His expertise and experience position him exceptionally well to lead the Board and the industry through current challenges and opportunities, including harnessing AI and finalizing 5G for new business models and revenue streams,” Granryd added.
The GSMA Board will announce the election of a new Deputy Chair in due course.
Airtel is a global communication solutions provider, boasting over 550 million customers across 15 countries in India and Africa.
