World Mobile Appoints Ex-SoftBank India Head Manoj Kohli as Advisor
World Mobile, a decentralized wireless network operator, announced today the appointment of Manoj Kohli as an advisor. Manoj brings with him an extensive background in the telecommunications industry, with over four decades of experience. He has held prestigious positions such as the country head of SoftBank India and the CEO of Bharti Airtel. This appointment is expected to bring valuable insights and expertise to World Mobile as they continue to grow and innovate in the field.
In his new capacity, Manoj will provide strategic guidance and mentorship to World Mobile’s leadership team. His expertise will be invaluable in helping the company scale its innovative platform, which utilizes blockchain technology and hybrid connectivity to deliver affordable and accessible wireless services to people all around the world.
During his time at SoftBank India and Bharti Airtel, Manoj played a pivotal role in driving industry transformations in various areas, including mobile internet, satellite television, renewable energy, digital unicorns, and electric vehicles. His impressive track record speaks for itself, demonstrating his ability to lead and guide global businesses with a strong societal purpose and impact.
“I am excited to join World Mobile as an advisor. I believe they have a unique and disruptive proposition that can revolutionize the wireless industry and create social impact. I look forward to working with Micky and his talented team to support their growth and expansion plans,” Manoj Kohli said in a statement.
Manoj Kohli, with his rich experience in the telecommunications industry, notably as the country head of Softbank India and the CEO of Bharti Airtel, has played a significant role in supporting and guiding various companies. During his tenure at SoftBank, he provided strategic guidance and mentorship to more than 25 AI-focused portfolio companies, including well-known names like Ola, Oyo, Paytm, and Uber, among others. His expertise was instrumental in driving growth, profitability, and digital transformation while ensuring strong corporate governance practices.
As the CEO of Bharti Airtel, Manoj led the company’s operations across Asia and Africa, overseeing its remarkable growth from 2 million to 400 million customers. This expansion solidified Airtel’s position as the third-largest telecommunications company globally by 2015. He also spearheaded the establishment of Airtel TV as a leader in direct-to-home (DTH) services and played a key role in creating Indus, which became the world’s largest tower company, achieving significant infrastructure synergies.
Manoj Kohli’s influence extends beyond his executive roles. He has served on the Board of the GSMA and held prominent positions in industry forums such as the CII Task Force on Ease of Doing Business and the CII Unicorn Forum, which focuses on attracting new tech investments to India. His exceptional contributions have garnered recognition, including awards like “Telecom Man of the Year” in 2000, the “Distinguished Alumni” accolade by SRCC Delhi University, and a “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2020.
Now, Manoj brings his wealth of experience to World Mobile, as the company aims to deploy its hybrid connectivity solution across continents like Africa, Asia, and the USA. World Mobile’s decentralized wireless network is especially crucial in areas that lack adequate service, providing reliable internet access that acts as a lifeline for underserved communities. Their decentralized wireless (DeWi) solution delivers connectivity at significantly lower costs compared to traditional mobile network operators. With Manoj’s guidance, World Mobile is poised to make a substantial impact in bridging the digital divide.
Founded a few years ago, World Mobile’s goal is to connect everyone, everywhere while advocating for economic freedom and dignity. Unlike traditional mobile networks, World Mobile is based on blockchain and incentivizes people to be part of a sharing economy that taps into the trillion-dollar global telecom market. Individuals and business owners around the world can operate nodes on its network and bring their communities online while earning revenue.