José María Álvarez-Pallete, Executive Chairman of Telefónica, has been re-elected as Chairman of the GSMA until December 2026.
The GSMA is the association encompassing the world's largest telecommunications groups and related industries within the connectivity ecosystem.
Álvarez-Pallete assumed the role in February 2022, becoming the first executive from a Spanish company to hold the presidency in the history of the GSMA, Telefónica stated in a press release.
His re-election is a testament to his leadership at a critical time for the sector, recognized as a cornerstone for ensuring Europe's progress and competitiveness, as highlighted by the Draghi Report.
During his nearly three-year tenure as GSMA Chairman, José María Álvarez-Pallete has driven the launch of Open Gateway, marking a paradigm shift in how the telecommunications sector designs and markets its services in the new API-driven digital world.
He has also promoted the ethical and responsible use of technology, especially AI, resulting in the sector's first common roadmap.
Álvarez-Pallete emphasized: "It is an honor to be re-elected as Chairman, and I am deeply excited about the new phase ahead."
"The work of the GSMA team to close the digital divide is a critical aspect if we truly want to bring the socio-economic benefits of digitalization to the most vulnerable, always advancing with the goal of ensuring that the technological revolution serves people, businesses, and society as a whole, leaving no one behind,” highlighted the GSMA Chairman.
Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, commented: “The industry is going through rapid change, driven by advances in technology, digital transformation, and the rise of AI. It is a very exciting time to be part of this transformation, and I am confident that with the leadership of the Chair and our Board, the GSMA is well-positioned to successfully continue to advocate for our members and achieve our goals.”
He added: “We are excited to welcome the new and re-elected Board members, and we thank the outgoing Board members for their outstanding support.”
GSMA: A Tech Giant Encompassing Over 1,100 Companies
The GSMA includes more than 1,100 mobile operators and companies from across the entire ecosystem and related industries to drive innovation and reduce inequalities worldwide. The impact of mobile connectivity is evident in its contribution to the economy. In 2023, mobile technology and services generated $5.7 trillion in economic value accounting for 5.4% of the global GDP, and employed nearly 35 million people, directly and indirectly.
By the end of 2023, over 5.6 billion people were subscribed to mobile services, representing 69% of the global population and an increase of 1.6 billion people since 2015. The growth of mobile internet penetration has been even faster. By the end of 2023, 58% of the global population used this service, equivalent to 4.7 billion users—an increase of 2.1 billion since 2015.
Also Read:
Telefónica Reaffirms Commitment to Brazilian Market
Telefónica México: The Disruptive Operator of Connectivity Democratization
Telefónica México and AT&T México Extend Network Use Agreement Until 2030
