- Gopal Vittal, Bharti Airtel’s MD, has been elected Chairman of the GSMA Board, overseeing its strategic direction until 2026.
- His leadership will focus on advancing 5G, AI, and digital inclusion, reinforcing India’s growing role in the global telecom industry.
What happened: Gopal Vittal appointed chairman of GSMA board
Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, has been elected as the new Chairman of the GSMA Board. He will serve in this role until the end of 2026, succeeding Sunil Mittal as the second Indian to hold this position. The GSMA represents over 1,000 telecom companies worldwide, including handset manufacturers, software firms, and internet service providers.
Vittal had been serving as Deputy Chair of the GSMA Board for the past three years and was recently acting as Interim Chair following the resignation of José María Álvarez-Pallete. His new role will involve overseeing the strategic direction of the GSMA, which plays a crucial role in shaping global telecom policies and innovations.
Also read: XConnect and GSMA team up to enhance global mobile roaming
Also read: GSMA announces Vivek Badrinath as Director General
Why it’s important
Vittal’s appointment highlights India’s growing influence in the global telecom industry. As Chairman, he will guide the GSMA in addressing key challenges such as 5G deployment, AI integration, and digital inclusion. The mobile industry contributed $6.5 trillion to the global economy in 2024, and under Vittal’s leadership, the GSMA aims to foster further innovation and collaboration across the telecom ecosystem.
His leadership is expected to strengthen global partnerships and drive advancements in connectivity, mobile technology, and digital transformation, benefiting both businesses and consumers worldwide.
