London, 27 November 2025 – Mobily, Saudi Arabia’s leading telecom operator, has joined the Global Leaders’ Forum (GLF) Board, marking a significant step in the company’s international collaboration on industry-critical priorities including interoperability, fraud prevention, and sustainability.
The Mobily GLF Board appointment reflects the company’s growing influence in shaping standards and practices across the global connectivity ecosystem. Mobily, which operates one of the region’s largest wireless networks alongside subsea cable infrastructure and advanced data centers, moves from GLF Community member status to a board-level governance role.
Key Takeaways
- Mobily becomes GLF Board member, elevating Saudi Arabia’s voice in global telecom governance
- Board role targets collaboration on interoperability, fraud prevention, and sustainable connectivity
- Appointment aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s digital economy objectives
- Thamer A. Alfadda, Senior Vice President Wholesale, leads Mobily’s GLF engagement
What the GLF Board Role Means for Mobily
Thamer A. Alfadda, Senior Vice President Wholesale at Mobily, said the board appointment signals the company’s commitment to industry collaboration. According to Alfadda, the role enables Mobily to “connect with global industry leaders, exchange insights on emerging technologies, and align with shared priorities such as interoperability, fraud prevention, and sustainability.”
The appointment places Mobily at the table where telecom operators define technical standards and address cross-border connectivity challenges. As a major regional carrier, Mobily’s participation adds Saudi Arabian perspective to debates on emerging issues in the telecom sector, from network security to infrastructure resilience.
Connectivity and Innovation as Strategic Priorities
For Mobily, the GLF Board seat underscores the company’s strategic shift toward wholesale and international partnerships. The company operates subsea cables connecting the Kingdom to global networks—infrastructure that positions it as a critical link in regional and international data flows.
Enrico Bagnasco, Chair of the GLF and Chief Executive Officer of Sparkle, welcomed the appointment, stating that “Alfadda’s experience and vision will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen collaboration and drive innovation across our industry.”
Vision 2030 and Digital Infrastructure
Mobily’s growing role in global telecom governance aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objective to build a diversified, digitally-enabled economy. The company operates as an enabler of cross-border connectivity, supporting businesses, consumers, and carrier networks across the Kingdom and beyond.
The GLF Board role provides Mobily with additional platform to advocate for standards-based solutions to industry challenges—particularly relevant as Saudi Arabia expands data center capacity and strengthens cybersecurity frameworks through entities like the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA).
What’s Next
Mobily has committed to deepening its GLF engagement through active board participation. The company plans to contribute expertise on regional connectivity infrastructure and support working groups focused on fraud prevention and sustainability metrics.
The appointment reflects a broader trend of Saudi telecom operators assuming leadership roles in international standards bodies, positioning the Kingdom as a contributor—not merely a participant—in shaping global connectivity infrastructure.
