Every voice matters. Yet, too often, the voices shaping our industry – the brilliant, passionate and diverse minds of mobile technology – go unheard or unrecognised.
Today, I want to ignite a movement. The integration of the #ChangeTheFace Alliance into the GSMA’s Connectivity for Good programme demonstrates that our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is grounded in action. At the GSMA, we are not just joining this conversation – we are leading it, boldly and unapologetically. That’s why we launched the Voice Survey one year ago – to gain a baseline measurement on inclusion – a baseline we could assess progress against.
The GSMA Voice campaign: a platform for every story
One year ago, we launched the GSMA Voice Campaign with a clear mission: to understand the real experiences of people in the industry, to listen with intention and to drive systemic change in mobile technology. It wasn’t enough to acknowledge the need for DE&I – we needed to measure it, understand it and create actionable plans that move the needle together.
Our campaign set out to capture the lived experiences of professionals across the mobile tech landscape. We sought honest answers and authentic narratives, not just numbers. This movement has always been about more than metrics; it’s about creating a sense of belonging, breaking down barriers and cultivating innovation through diversity.
A year of listening: the GSMA Voice Survey
To build true equity, we must first understand where we stand. Bringing on board a seasoned research partner – Inclusio – the GSMA launched the survey and reached out to professionals at every level and in every corner of the globe. Our purpose was clear: establish a baseline for inclusivity in our sector – one that reflects the realities, challenges and hopes of our people.
The survey was as ambitious in scale as it was in intention. We asked tough questions about representation, opportunity, accessibility and belonging. We recorded the aspirations and frustrations of women, underrepresented minorities, emerging leaders and seasoned experts alike. The result produced a solid baseline of people and culture data across the mobile ecosystem and it provides a consistent, evidence-based approach allowing for continued tracking over time.
Our baseline: key findings from the Voice Report 2025
The findings are both a wake-up call and a beacon of hope. While there is much work to do, I am energised by the progress we’ve already made and the clarity we now have about where we must go.
- Representation is improving – but not fast enough. Our survey reveals that while gender diversity at the entry and mid-career levels is increasing, senior leadership remains disproportionately homogenous. Women and minority professionals still face obstacles to advancement. The data is clear: commitment to inclusion must extend all the way to the boardroom.
- Belonging drives innovation. Professionals in organisations with strong DE&I policies report higher engagement, creativity and retention. The correlation between inclusive cultures and breakthrough ideas is no longer anecdotal – it’s proven.
- Barriers persist – but so does resilience. Respondents cited unconscious bias, lack of mentorship and inaccessible career pathways as ongoing challenges. Yet, across the board, there is an overwhelming desire to support one another and champion change.
The impact: a turning point for mobile tech
These results are more than statistics – they are a call to action. By establishing this baseline and committing to run the survey again in 2026, the GSMA is providing the industry with a crucial tool for accountability. Our goal is to ensure that improvements in inclusivity can be tracked transparently and consistently, empowering organisations and individuals to drive progress in their own ways.
Our year-on-year tracking in the Voice Survey means that we will continue to shine a light on the state of DE&I in the mobile ecosystem. We will champion measurement, challenge the status quo and provide a baseline against which the sector can gauge its advancement.
Join us: be the voice of change
The responsibility to create lasting DE&I impact does not rest on one organisation or campaign. It belongs to all of us – every leader, every team, every company across the mobile ecosystem and EVERY one of you. I invite you to read the full GSMA Voice Campaign Report 2025, reflect on its insights, and take bold action in your own spheres of influence.
Let’s use this moment to listen more deeply, challenge assumptions and shape a future and a workplace where everyone’s voice is valued – and heard.
Looking forward: my commitment, our future
This is personal for me. I have seen first-hand the power of inclusion to spark growth, trust and innovation. I have also seen the cost of its absence. The journey towards DE&I is ongoing, but together, we can accelerate the pace of change.
Let’s make the next chapter of our sector’s history one where every individual can say, with pride, “I belong here”. The future is diverse, equitable, and inclusive – and it starts with us.
Lara Dewar
Chief Marketing Officer, the GSMA