The GSMA has announced the re-election of José María Álvarez-Pallete López as its Chair, with Gopal Vittal appointed as the new Deputy Chair. Both will begin their two-year terms on January 1, 2025.
Álvarez-Palette López currently serves as the Chairman and CEO of Telefónica and has served as the GSMA Chair since February 2022. He will continue to oversee the organization’s strategic direction, which includes managing the influential Mobile World Congress (MWC) and representing the global telecoms sector.
Expressing his gratitude, Álvarez-Pallete López said, “I am honored and excited to be re-appointed as Chair. I look forward to another term of working together with our talented team to achieve our goals and continue to make a lasting impact. Together, we will continue to stay at the forefront of trends and make a positive impact in our industry.”
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Mats Granryd, GSMA Director General, highlighted the exciting phase the industry is currently navigating, driven by technological advancements, digital transformation, and the rise of AI. “The GSMA is well-positioned to successfully continue to advocate for our members and achieve our goals,” said Granryd while also acknowledging the contributions of outgoing Board members.
During Álvarez-Pallete López’s tenure, the GSMA launched its Open Gateway API initiative, a significant milestone. His leadership has also emphasized the ethical and responsible use of technology, particularly AI, resulting in a joint sectoral roadmap.
Granryd announced in June that he would step down following MWC 2025 and will continue as Director General until the end of March before transitioning to a unique advisory role for the remainder of the year.