Bharti Airtel’s Gopal Vittal Elected Chairman of GSMA Board Until 2026

The GSMA Board of Directors has elected Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and MD of Bharti Airtel, as its new Chairman until the end of 2026. Vittal, who was serving as the Acting Chair, will now formally oversee the strategic direction of GSMA, a global body representing over 1,000 telecom and technology companies.

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Also Read: Bharti Airtel’s Gopal Vittal Appointed Acting Chairman of GSMA

Strengthening Airtel’s Global Influence

With this appointment, Vittal becomes the second Indian after Sunil Bharti Mittal to chair the GSMA Board. “The appointment also highlights the significant influence Airtel has in the global telecom industry, with both Sunil Bharti Mittal and Gopal Vittal having held key positions on the GSMA Board for years,” Airtel said on March 24.

Vision for AI and 5G Expansion

Expressing his gratitude, Gopal Vittal said, “The mobile industry contributed USD 6.5 trillion to the global economy in 2024 and is the spine on which much of the innovation in the world is built. The GSMA, as a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem, is fundamental to discover, develop and deliver innovation that impacts positive change for all. I look forward to working closely with the GSMA team and the rest of the Board to continue this important work. ”

Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, welcomed the appointment, stating: “I have worked with Vittal for many years and am delighted that he has been appointed Chair of the GSMA Board. His knowledge and experience makes him very well positioned to lead the Board and the industry through the current challenges and opportunities, including how to leverage AI and complete 5G for new business models and revenues streams.”