Top 10: Telco Leaders in APAC
In a region that leads global 5G adoption, telecommunications leaders in Asia-Pacific manage networks serving more than four billion mobile subscribers across diverse markets, and navigate rapid technological change while maintaining critical infrastructure in both developed and emerging economies.
From state-owned enterprises in China to privately-held groups in Japan and Australia, these leaders oversee investment in network infrastructure, digital services and emerging technologies. They face common challenges in spectrum allocation, infrastructure sharing and competition from digital service providers.
Here, Mobile Magazine highlights 10 of the leading telco leaders across the APAC region.
10. Stephen Rue
Title: CEO of Optus
Location: Australia
Stephen Rue, who assumed the role of CEO at Optus in November 2024, brings operational leadership experience from Australia’s largest telecommunications infrastructure project to his role at Optus – the nation’s second-largest mobile network operator. At NBN Co, he implemented wholesale pricing reforms that reduced retail costs while maintaining financial targets. The AU$51bn national broadband network now connects 8.5 million premises across Australia.
The telecommunications sector in Australia generates AU$40bn in annual revenue. Optus holds 31% market share in mobile services behind Telstra at 45%. Stephen’s infrastructure deployment experience aligns with Optus’s planned 5G network expansion and fixed wireless broadband rollout.
9. Ryu Young-sang
Title: CEO at SK Telecom
Location: South Korea
SK Telecom chief executive Ryu Young-sang leads South Korea's largest mobile network operator towards digital infrastructure expansion. Since his appointment in 2021, Ryu has focused on AI development and cloud computing services. His previous role managing corporate acquisitions included SK Telecom’s purchase of semiconductor manufacturer SK Hynix.
Ryu studied industrial engineering at Seoul National University before completing an MBA at the University of Washington. Under his direction, SK Telecom develops urban air mobility systems and voice assistant technology while maintaining its core telecommunications business.
8. Chen Zhongyue
Title: Chairman & CEO at China Unicom
Location: China
China Unicom chairman and chief executive Chen Zhongyue leads China's second-largest mobile network operator following his appointment in December 2023. Zhongyue previously served as vice president at state-owned China Telecom Group, where he managed regional operations in Zhejiang and Shanxi provinces.
His economics background supports China Unicom’s expansion into cloud computing and blockchain technology. Under his leadership, the telecommunications provider develops AI systems while deploying 5G infrastructure across mainland China.
7. Makoto Takahashi
Title: CEO at KDDI Corporation
Location: Japan
KDDI Corporation president and chief executive Makoto Takahashi leads Japan's second-largest telecommunications provider, a position he has held since 2018. During his 40-year tenure at KDDI, he managed the company's strategic planning division before joining the board in 2007.
His engineering background from Yokohama National University supports KDDI's expansion into AI and space communications technology. The telecommunications group develops healthcare platforms and Web3 services while maintaining core mobile operations.
6. Akira Shimada
Title: President at NTT
Location: Japan
NTT chief executive Akira Shimada directs Japan's largest telecommunications group following his appointment in June 2022. His 40-year career at NTT includes executive roles in personnel management and corporate finance.
The company has announced plans to invest ¥8 trillion (US$51.4bn) in growth sectors by 2027, targeting annual EBITDA of ¥4 trillion (US$25.7bn). Under his leadership, NTT develops sustainable technology initiatives while maintaining its telecommunications infrastructure across Japan and international markets.
5. Ke Ruiwen
Title: CEO at China Telecom
Location: China
China Telecom chairman and chief executive Ke Ruiwen leads China's largest fixed-line telecommunications provider since 2019. His career spans regional management roles including deputy director of Jiangxi Posts and Telecommunications Administration. Ke chairs the supervisory committee at China Tower Corporation, which manages the nation's mobile infrastructure. Under his direction, China Telecom develops digital services while maintaining its core telecommunications network across mainland China.
4. Gopal Vittal
Title: CEO & MD at Airtel
Location: India
Bharti Airtel chief executive Gopal Vittal leads India's second-largest mobile network operator since 2013. His previous twenty-year career at consumer goods company Hindustan Unilever included senior marketing roles before joining Airtel in 2006. Under his leadership, Airtel expanded digital services while increasing market capitalisation and revenue share across South Asia. Gopal, who studied at the Indian Institute of Management Kolkata, serves as deputy chair of mobile industry group GSMA. In January 2026, he transitions to executive vice chairman as Shashwat Sharma assumes the chief executive role.
3. Mickey (Hiroshi) Mikitani
Title: Founder, Chairman & CEO at Rakuten Group
Location: Japan
Hiroshi “Mickey” Mikitani continues to be a disruptive force in the world of Japanese business. He has been the Chairman and CEO of Rakuten Group since its founding in 1997 and has turned the company into a globally recognised e-commerce giant characterised by the Japanese service mindset of Empowerment and Omotenashi.
Today, Rakuten works with more than 57,000 professional merchants to offer millions of products to its more than 100 million members. It offers a high level of customer service and continues to expand its ecosystem of services.
2. Vicki Brady
Title: CEO at Telstra
Location: Australia
Telstra chief executive Vicki Brady leads Australia's largest telecommunications provider since September 2022. Her previous roles include chief financial officer at Telstra, where she managed financial strategy and planning since 2019. Before joining Telstra in 2016, Vicki held senior positions at rival operator Optus and consultancy KPMG, building expertise in telecommunications finance and strategy. She studied management at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business after completing commerce studies at Australian National University.
Vicki implements Telstra's T25 strategy focusing on network infrastructure development and customer service improvements. She decided to retain Telstra's infrastructure assets while developing technology solutions across mobile and fixed networks. The company maintains its position as Australia's dominant mobile operator with 19.5 million retail mobile services. Vicki’s appointment marks the first female chief executive in Telstra’s history, bringing financial governance experience to the role.
1. He Biao
Title: CEO at China Mobile
Location: China
China Mobile chief executive He Biao leads the world's largest mobile network operator – a position he has held since April 2024. His previous role as president of parent company China Mobile Communications Group follows senior positions at rival operators China Unicom Hong Kong and China Unicom Online Information Technology.
Biao succeeds former chief executive Dong Xin, who departed for a government position after a three-month interim period under chief financial officer Li Ronghua. The telecommunications group added 138 million 5G subscribers in 2023, reaching 465 million users across its mobile network. This growth maintains China Mobile's position as the dominant provider in mainland China’s mobile market. Biao studied business administration at Grenoble Ecole de Management in France, completing his doctorate in 2016 after graduating from Xiangtan University in 1993.
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