The GSMA Board of Directors has re-elected Gopal Vitthal, Executive Vice President of Bharti Airtel, to the position of Chairman for a second term, extending his leadership of the global telecommunications body until December 2028.
Vitthal, who has been part of the GSMA Board for ten years, including his chairmanship since 2025, will lead the organization during its 2027–2028 Board term. GSMA represents mobile network operators and companies in the broader mobile ecosystem.
Additionally, the Board elected Margareta Della Valle, CEO of Vodafone Group, as Co-Chair, and Ralph Mupitu, President and CEO of MTN Group, who was re-elected to this role.
Telecom Security, AI, and Advanced Networks in Focus
Following his re-election, Vitthal noted that the telecommunications industry is entering a new phase driven by advanced networks, artificial intelligence (AI), and open digital platforms, with security becoming a key priority.
Vitthal stated: 'I am honored to have been re-elected as Chairman of the GSMA Board for a second time. As an industry, we are entering a new era where advanced networks, AI, and open digital platforms can create significant economic and social value.'
He defined security as the industry's main challenge, emphasizing the need to protect countries from growing threats, ensure customer safety from fraud, and maintain the financial stability of telecom operators to support further investment in technology and infrastructure.
He added: 'Our top priority is security. Ensuring the security of nations amid increased threats today, ensuring customer safety amidst rising fraud risks, and ensuring industry resilience so it can continue to make forward-looking investments in technology and build better infrastructure across the globe.'
Vitthal also welcomed the appointments of Mupitu and Della Valle, noting that their experience, geographical reach, and understanding will strengthen the organization's efforts.
He concluded: 'I look forward to continuing this important work with the GSMA team and my fellow Board members. I also look forward to working alongside our Co-Chairs, Ralph Mupitu and Margareta Della Valle. Their experience, geographical reach, and insight will be a great strength as we move this agenda forward.'
Gopal Vitthal's Role at Bharti Airtel
As Executive Vice President of Bharti Airtel, Vitthal oversees the company and its subsidiaries, guiding group strategy and synergy in digital technologies, network strategy, procurement, and talent.
He also serves as Non-Executive Chairman of Airtel Africa and Airtel Payments Bank, in addition to being a Non-Executive Director on the board of BT Group.
Under his leadership, Airtel has expanded its portfolio of mobile, home broadband, business-to-business (B2B), and digital services, achieving the highest market share by revenue in India's competitive telecom market, according to the company.
Ralph Mupitu and Margareta Della Valle Appointed as Co-Chairs
Mupitu has held the position of President and CEO of MTN Group since September 2020, previously serving as the group's Chief Financial Officer. He was a GSMA Vice-Chairman starting in April 2025.
He is also a member of the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development and the founder of the Global AI Commission for the World Telecommunication Union.
At MTN, Mupitu leads the company's Ambition 2030 strategy, which focuses on expanding connectivity, financial technology, and digital infrastructure across Africa.
Della Valle has been the CEO of Vodafone Group since January 2023, after serving as the group's CFO from 2018. She led the transformation of the telecom operator aimed at simplifying and strengthening its business.
