COAI announces new leadership for 2014-15

COAI, the leading Mobile Communications Association representing six of the largest mobile service operators and the majority of telecom equipment manufacturersas well as other communication services and product companies in India,in its Annual  General  Body  Meeting,  held  on  14th July  2014, announced  the  election  of  its  new leadership  for  the  term  2014-2015. Marten  Pieters,  Managing  Director  and  Chief Executive  Officer,  Vodafone  India  Ltd. has been elected  as  the  new  Chairman  and  Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (India and South Asia) of Bharti Airtel has been elected as the Vice-Chairman. COAI also designated its Executive Council for the new term at the meeting.

Marten Pieters, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodafone India, since February 2009, has over three decades of professional experience in international and domestic markets and has served in senior positions in various organizations. He holds a Law degree from Groningen University, the Netherlands, and has also completed a Postgraduate course in Economics in 1979. Marten Pieters pledged his full possible support in the tasks and endeavours ahead for the Industry and the Association.

Pieters, in his address as the new Chairman of COAI stated that, “In the recent past, India’s growth story fuelled by the telecom sector has been going through a challenging policy and regulatory environment. While the Industry is witnessing low profit margins, primarily due to high debt paid to finance 3G & BWA Auction held couple of years ago, the sector also underwent a series of unprecedented events and policy reversals. After years of uncertainty and policy paralysis, we are expecting a definitive roadmap for the telecom sector from the new government in the Centre.”

With over 25 years of experience in telecom and consumer goods (FMCG) industries, Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (India and South Asia) of Bharti Airtel is the new Vice Chairman of COAI.

Rajan  S  Mathews,  Director  General,  COAI,  extended  his  heartfelt  gratitude  to Himanshu  Kapania,  the  outgoing  Chairman  of  COAI  for  the  bold,  courageous  and  excellent  leadership provided  by  him  through  one  of the  most  challenging  periods  in  the  history  of Indian  telecom’s regulation and government environment.  He also welcomed the new leadership and congratulated them for accepting their positions at the helm of the association for the coming term.

Himanshu Kapaniacommented: “It has been my privilege to have led the dialogue with various stakeholders, on behalf of the association, for the past two years which have seen transformational changes in the telecom landscape. I wish Marten Pieters and Gopal Vittal the best as they take over the new leadership of COAI at this critical juncture. My best wishes to Rajan Mathews and the team to continue the good work and accelerate the pace of the journey the Association members have taken for transforming the lives of Indian consumers and benefiting the Indian society.”