By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
New Delhi, March 2, 2026 — The GSMA has conferred its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, in recognition of his transformative impact on the global telecommunications industry.
The rare honour, bestowed on only a handful of industry leaders in the GSMA’s history, acknowledges contributions that have left an enduring and defining mark on the global communications ecosystem. The award was presented at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, in the presence of His Majesty Felipe VI, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, President of Catalonia Salvador Illa, and other global industry leaders.
A visionary in the telecom sector, Mittal built Bharti Airtel into one of the world’s leading mobile operators, with operations spanning India and Africa. The company ranks among the top three globally and serves over half a billion customers. He pioneered the expansion of mobile services across emerging markets, significantly broadening access to connectivity.
Mittal also served as Chairman of the GSMA from 2017 to 2018, where he championed policies that encouraged investment and innovation while strengthening the industry’s commitment to connecting the unconnected and advancing digital inclusion. He had previously received the GSMA Chairman’s Award in 2008 and 2016 for his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the global mobile industry and was felicitated at the 2019 Mobile World Congress in recognition of his chairmanship.
Speaking after receiving the award, Mittal expressed gratitude to the GSMA and described the recognition as a tribute not only to his personal journey but also to India’s telecom evolution.
“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,” he said.
He noted that telecommunications remains a powerful force for expanding opportunity and unlocking human potential, adding that the industry must continue to ensure growth advances equity and creates lasting opportunities for future generations.
The GSMA Lifetime Achievement Award remains one of the highest distinctions in the mobile communications industry, reserved for individuals whose leadership and innovation have shaped its global trajectory.
