Aircel's Sandip Das recognized as one of the 100 most powerful people in the telecoms industry worldwide

Sandip Das, Director Aircel & Chief Executive Officer of Maxis Communications Berhad, has been named as one of the 100 most powerful people in the telecoms industry worldwide, by Global Telecom Business for his game-changing influence on the Malaysian and Asian communications landscape.

The GTB Power100 list was compiled from nominations by worldwide readers of Global Telecoms Business ” including CEOs, CFOs and other senior executives of the world's major operators, telecoms vendors and industry organisations. GTB first ran its Power100 to mark the 100th printed issue of the magazine in 2008, and inclusion in the list has been coveted by executives throughout the industry.

Commenting on his inclusion into the GTB Power100 list, Sandip said, "I am honoured and humbled by this recognition and would like to thank my colleagues in the Maxis Group who have contributed to this tribute. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a dynamic group of people to bring advanced communications services that would enrich consumers lives and businesses across Asia. When I joined the Maxis Group, with operations across Malaysia, India and Indonesia, as Chief Executive Officer in 2007, the group had 13 million subscribers. The Group has now grown to 60 million subscribers and continues to lead the market in Malaysia with 13 million subscribers. In India Aircel is the fifth largest and will soon commence 3G &BWA services for which we have won the spectrum in 13 out of 22 circles. It is an exciting time for us and I am looking forward to more exciting challenges ahead as we transform ourselves to become the region's most respected integrated communications player."

Sandip took leadership of the Maxis Group of companies in 2007 after growing India's first private Telco (now Vodafone Essar Limited) into a premium brand. He then took the helm of Maxis Berhad, the Group's flagship operations in 2009. While at the helm of the Group's Malaysian operations, Sandip also serves as a director on the boards of Group companies i.e. Sri Lanka Telekom Plc and Mobitel (Private) in Sri Lanka, Aircel Limited, and PT Natrindo Telepon Selular in Indonesia.

Said Laurence Mackintosh, publisher of Global Telecoms Business. "We congratulate all the members of the GTB Power100 in 2010. We look forward to seeing what they will achieve in their major initiatives to boost worldwide connectivity and in their challenge to create business models for the better."