Hannes A metsreiter, CEO Telekom Austria Group, was appointed as a new Board Member of the GSM Association (GSMA), which represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. The only Austrian Board Member, Hannes Ametsreiter will help shape the international development of the industry at a high level. In addition, he will also sit on the Strategy Committee which works on the strategic position of the GSMA.

“My appointment to the GSMA Board represents a valuable acknowledgement of the outstanding performance of mobilkom austria. Despite of our relatively small size, we have earned a strong international reputation,” said Hannes Ametsreiter. “The mobile industry has been characterized by an unparalleled development and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to make a stronger contribution and proactively help shape the international course of action and framework for the industry.”

As the CEO mobilkom austria, Hannes Ametsreiter has been responsible for the company’s mobile operations in Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Serbia and Slovenia since April 1, 2009.

Rob Conway, CEO and Member of the Board of the GSMA, commented on Hannes Ametsreiter’s appointment: “mobilkom austria has always been a champion of innovation and a first mover as demonstrated by the track record of corporate success in recent years. Hannes Ametsreiter has helped to successfully shape mobilkom austria’s development both in Austria and the other international markets, and we’re pleased to have him represent mobilkom austria on the GSMA board.”

The GSMA represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites more than 800 of the world’s mobile operators, as well as further 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem. The GSMA Board, of which Hannes Ametsreiter is a member, encompasses a total of 26 members, including major operators such as China Mobile and the Northern American telecommunications company AT&T. The GSMA’s end-goal is to drive the growth and further development of the mobile communications industry.

One of the most successful GSMA initiatives that mobilkom austria was involved in is the Universal Charging Solution which aims to standardise mobile phone chargers by 2012. The GSMA will also play a key role in defining the position of the mobile industry within the extended value chain with new applications and services following the increasing availability of mobile broadband networks and devices around the world.

“The mobile phone along with its numerous functions will be more and more connected to Internet services as a result of mobile broadband technologies such as HSPA and LTE. For us this means a closer collaboration with the large providers of online services and Internet platforms with a view to offering customers a wide range of Internet features via a mobile handset,” added Hannes Ametsreiter.

Hannes Ametsreiter is also a member of the GSMA Strategy Committee and will work with the group on strategic positioning of the mobile industry with Terry Kramer, Group Strategy and Business Improvement Director at Vodafone who leads the Strategy Committee for the GSMA Board.

Hannes Ametsreiter views the telecommunications industry as an important driver of economic development, especially in times of recession: “The telecommunications industry drives the economy in two ways: on one hand via mobile solutions which benefit both corporate and residential customers, and on the other hand, via investments into infrastructure.”