In a momentous development, Gopal Vittal, the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, has been appointed as the Chairman of the GSMA Board, a position he will hold until 2026. Vittal, who is only the second Indian to assume this prestigious role after Sunil Bharti Mittal, the founder of Bharti Airtel, is set to lead the Global System for Mobile Communications Association during a crucial phase in the evolution of global telecom.
As Chairman of the GSMA, Vittal will steer the organization’s strategic direction, guiding over 1,000 members from the mobile ecosystem, including telecom providers, software developers, infrastructure specialists, and internet firms. The GSMA plays an influential role in shaping global telecom policies and fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders.
“I am honored to be elected as the Chair of the GSMA Board. The mobile industry contributed $6.5 trillion to the global economy in 2024, serving as the backbone of global innovation. GSMA unites the mobile ecosystem to drive meaningful change, and I look forward to collaborating with the Board and GSMA leadership to advance this mission,” Vittal expressed, reflecting on the magnitude of his new responsibility.
Vittal’s appointment comes after serving as Deputy Chair for three years, followed by a brief stint as Acting Chair earlier in 2025, preparing him to officially take on the role of Chairman. As the telecom industry continues to embrace emerging technologies and new business models, Vittal’s leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of global mobile communications.
With his elevation to Chairman, the GSMA Board is also preparing to announce a new Deputy Chair. Vittal’s vision for the future of mobile communications will undoubtedly shape the direction of the industry, as he leads the global telecom body through transformative changes.
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