GSMA honours Bharti founder for shaping modern telecommunications

NEW DELHI: THE GSMA has conferred its rare Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, recognising his transformational role in shaping the modern telecommunications landscape and expanding connectivity across operators, governments, enterprises and billions of consumers worldwide.

Bestowed on only a select few leaders in the organisation’s history, the Lifetime Achievement Award honours contributions that have left a lasting and defining impact on the global communications ecosystem.

The award was presented at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in the presence of Felipe VI, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, President of Catalonia Salvador Illa, and senior leaders from across the global technology and telecom industries.

A pioneer of large-scale mobile expansion in emerging markets, Mittal built Bharti Airtel into one of the world’s leading telecommunications companies. With operations spanning India and multiple African markets, Airtel ranks among the top three mobile operators globally by subscriber base, serving more than half a billion customers. Under his leadership, the company drove significant reductions in the cost of voice and data services, catalysing mass digital adoption and enabling mobile-first economic participation across developing economies.

Mittal served as Chairman of the GSMA from 2017 to 2018, during which he advocated for forward-looking regulatory frameworks, infrastructure investment, spectrum harmonisation and policies designed to accelerate digital inclusion. His tenure reinforced industry collaboration around connecting the unconnected, advancing financial inclusion through mobile platforms, and strengthening cybersecurity and trust in digital networks.

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He was previously honoured with the GSMA Chairman’s Award in 2008 and again in 2016 for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the global mobile industry. He was also felicitated at Mobile World Congress in February 2019 in recognition of his Chairmanship.

On receiving the award, Mittal said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition and sincerely thank the GSMA for this award. I accept it not only as a personal milestone, but as a tribute to India’s telecom journey, the collective spirit of Bharti, and the rise of Indian telecom companies on the global stage. Equally, the award reflects the progress of an industry that has connected billions and belongs to the customers we serve, the teams who built our institutions, and the partners who believe in the transformative power of connectivity.

Telecommunication is a force that expands opportunity, places essential services in the palm of every individual and unlocks human potential. Helping shape its evolution into a powerful accelerator of modern progress has been a privileged responsibility. As innovation accelerates, we will continue to work with our partners and stakeholders to ensure that growth advances equity and creates lasting opportunity for generations to come.”

The GSMA Lifetime Achievement Award remains one of the highest distinctions in global telecommunications, reserved for leaders whose strategic vision, institution-building capability and sustained industry stewardship have left an enduring mark on the sector.