KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 13): Axiata Group Bhd's president and group CEO Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim has been appointed again as the board member of GSM Association (GSMA), a trade body that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide.

In a statement, Axiata said Jamaludin's appointment is for a two-year period beginning January 2019 through December 2020.

Jamaludin previously served as a GSMA board member between 2008 and 2013, before he was appointed the association's deputy chairman, a position he held from January 2014 till December 2015 — marking the first time a Malaysian held the post as well as the first time an Asean country was represented, according to Axiata.

There are 26 members in GSMA's board, while the association's membership comprises 750 mobile network operators, with over 350 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem. "Its board members essentially provide the association's members with a stronger voice, clearer direction and faster decision-making," said Axiata.

Honoured and thankful for the opportunity to serve and contribute to GSMA's board again, Jamaludin noted that the global mobile industry is now undergoing intense transformation, with mobile network operators grappling with aggressive challenges of rapidly evolving technological shifts and disruptions that have shaken previously solid business models.

"The next phase of growth is revolutionary. It will require our collective will to leapfrog to the forefront of the fast-moving digital economy, and the real test will be in executing our vision of the future.

"In maintaining our position as one of the leading telecommunications groups in Asia, Axiata is implementing a series of initiatives that will transform the group into a new generation digital company by 2022. There is much we can share with the GSMA membership from our learnings across our fast-growing markets and I also look forward to productive exchanges with industry peers in gaining new ideas and perspectives," he said.