GSMA Appoints Hakan Dursun as Chief Strategy Officer to Shape the Future of Connectivity
According to GSMA’s official announcement, Hakan Dursun has been named the new Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of the organization as of January 5, 2026. Dursun will play a pivotal role in defining GSMA’s strategic direction and spearheading initiatives alongside the GSMA Strategy Group. Additionally, he will oversee GSMA Intelligence, a key hub for industry data and insights, working directly with Peter Jarich, Head of GSMAi.
Hakan Dursun’s Extensive Industry Experience and Leadership Goals
Hakan Dursun brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience spanning telecommunications, technology, and management consulting. His career includes high-impact roles at TĂĽrk Telekom, British Telecom, and the U.S.-based technology fund TelcoDR, focusing on strategy, business development, and major digital transformations. Dursun has a track record of managing multi-billion-dollar P&Ls and driving innovation across mobile, fixed, and TV services globally. Notably, he began his career at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a world-renowned strategy consulting firm.
As part of his new role, Dursun will align the industry on critical priorities, working closely with C-suite leaders of GSMA members. His appointment underscores GSMA’s mission to unify the mobile ecosystem and advance innovation for economic growth and societal benefits. Vivek Badrinath, Director General of GSMA, remarked, “Hakan’s breadth of experience and proven ability to deliver transformation at scale will be invaluable as we continue to shape the future of connectivity.”
The Role of GSMA in an Evolving Telecom Landscape
GSMA’s appointment of Dursun comes at a time when the telecommunications industry is undergoing rapid changes. With the rise of 5G, IoT, and AI technologies, the organization is at the forefront of managing industry-wide transformations. In 2023 alone, global spending on 5G surpassed $200 billion, with analysts predicting the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14% through 2030.
As a central body that connects mobile operators, innovation hubs, and tech industries, GSMA serves a critical role in policy advocacy, connectivity initiatives, and global events like MWC (Mobile World Congress). Dursun’s appointment is a strategic move to ensure GSMA remains fully equipped to handle these advancements while aligning global stakeholders, particularly as mobile connectivity continues to drive economic productivity and societal progress worldwide.
Strategic Outlook and Key Industry Implications
With Hakan Dursun at the helm of its strategy division, the GSMA is likely to intensify efforts in fostering global connectivity solutions and transforming mobile ecosystems. This could spur a ripple effect within the broader telecom and adjacent industries, forcing competitors and collaborators alike to recalibrate their strategies amidst intensifying global competition.
Experts predict that GSMA’s strategic initiatives under Dursun could prioritize scaling connectivity in underserved regions, promoting interoperability, and driving green telecom solutions to meet global sustainability goals. Additionally, with Dursun’s background in executing digital transformation, the GSMA may further enhance frameworks for technology adoption, such as AI-driven telecommunications management or the expansion of 5G use cases in industries like healthcare and autonomous vehicles.
Industry analysts suggest that GSMA’s expanded focus on strategic alignment—coupled with its unique resources such as GSMA Intelligence—will cement its position as a guidepost for emerging trends, setting benchmarks for other organizations within the telecom ecosystem to follow.
What’s Next for the Industry Under Dursun’s Strategic Leadership?
As 2026 unfolds, the broader telecom industry will closely watch how GSMA’s strategy team under Dursun redefines the organization’s mission, especially in light of the growing dependencies on mobile technologies for economic growth, security, and global innovation. Telecommunications giants worldwide must prepare for GSMA’s intensified influence on global standards, spectrum allocation, and the ongoing evolution of 6G research.
Dursun himself has acknowledged the stakes, stating, “The GSMA’s role in advancing connectivity is more critical than ever to innovation, economic growth, and societal progress. I look forward to working closely with GSMA members to translate this vision into meaningful outcomes that benefit the industry and society at large.”
What do you think about the telecom industry’s next evolutionary phase under leaders like Hakan Dursun? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments below.
Read the official GSMA press release here.
