Bharti Airtel Vice Chairperson and Managing Director Gopal Vittal has been announced as the new Board Chairman of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) until the end of 2026.
The GSMA is a global organization that unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop, and deliver innovations that are foundational to positive business environments and societal change.
As Chairman, Gopal will oversee the strategic direction of the GSMA, which includes 1,000 telecom companies from around the world, as well as handset and device companies, software firms, equipment providers, internet companies, and organizations in adjacent industry sectors.
In a statement, Bharti Airtel described the appointment as a significant reflection of company’s influence in the global telecom industry.
In response to the announcement, Vittal expressed his excitement in taking up this role.
“The mobile industry contributed $6.5 trillion to the global economy in 2024, and it serves as the backbone for much of the world’s innovation. The GSMA, as a global entity unifying the mobile ecosystem, is essential for discovering, developing, and delivering innovations that create positive change for all. I look forward to collaborating closely with the GSMA team and the rest of the Board to continue this important work,” he stated.
Gopal has served on the GSMA Board in various capacities for over a decade, including as Deputy Chair for the past three years. He was recently appointed the Acting Chair of the GSMA board in early 2025 and has now been formally elected as its Chair.
Currently, Gopal Vittal is also a Board member of Bharti Airtel Limited, Airtel Africa PLC, and Indus Towers. Before this, he served as the Managing Director & CEO of Airtel for 12 years. l for 12 years.
