Gopal Vittal takes over as GSMA Board Chairman through 2026 after serving as acting Chair. As Chairman, he'll guide the direction of this major group that includes 1000 telecom businesses worldwide plus phone makers, software companies, equipment providers, internet firms, and related industries. He becomes just the second Indian leader to hold this position after Sunil Bharti Mittal.
The selection shows how much influence Airtel has gained globally since both Mittal and Vittal have held important GSMA Board roles for many years. When accepting the position, Vittal mentioned feeling honored and noted that mobile companies added $6.5 trillion to the global economy last year. He described the industry as the backbone supporting worldwide innovation and called GSMA essential for finding, growing, and delivering changes that help everyone.
GSMA Director General Mats Granryd expressed happiness about working with Vittal for years and believes his background makes him perfect for leading through current challenges. These include effectively using AI and finishing 5G networks to create new business opportunities. Vittal has worked on the GSMA Board for more than ten years in different jobs, including three years as Deputy Chair before becoming Acting Chair early in 2025.
Vittal currently serves as Vice Chairman and Managing Director at Bharti Airtel and sits on boards for Bharti Airtel Limited, Airtel Africa PLC, and Indus Towers. He previously led Airtel as CEO for twelve years. The GSMA will soon name a new Deputy Chair to complete its leadership team.
The selection shows how much influence Airtel has gained globally since both Mittal and Vittal have held important GSMA Board roles for many years. When accepting the position, Vittal mentioned feeling honored and noted that mobile companies added $6.5 trillion to the global economy last year. He described the industry as the backbone supporting worldwide innovation and called GSMA essential for finding, growing, and delivering changes that help everyone.
GSMA Director General Mats Granryd expressed happiness about working with Vittal for years and believes his background makes him perfect for leading through current challenges. These include effectively using AI and finishing 5G networks to create new business opportunities. Vittal has worked on the GSMA Board for more than ten years in different jobs, including three years as Deputy Chair before becoming Acting Chair early in 2025.
Vittal currently serves as Vice Chairman and Managing Director at Bharti Airtel and sits on boards for Bharti Airtel Limited, Airtel Africa PLC, and Indus Towers. He previously led Airtel as CEO for twelve years. The GSMA will soon name a new Deputy Chair to complete its leadership team.
