New COAI chairman is Vodafone's Marten Pieters

Marten Pieters, Vodafone India's MD and CEO has been elected as the new chairman of Cellular Operations Association of India (COAI). The decision was made public during COAI's annual general body meeting held on July 14, 2014.

Marten will hold the position for the term 2014-15. He has been MD and CEO for Vodafone India since February 2009. With experience of over three decades in international and domestic markets in senior position; he pledged his full possible support in the tasks and endeavours ahead for the industry and the association

Marten Pieters, in his address as the new chairman of COAI, stated, "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 and BWA auction a 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."

Himanshu Kapania, the outgoing chairman of COAI, said, "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."

Along with this Gopal Vittal, MD and CEO (India and South Asia) Bharti Airtel has been elected as VC for COAI. The association has also designated the executive council for the new term in the meeting.