Deloitte, Ex-SoftBank Exec Joins Decentralized Telecom Operator World Mobile as an Advisor

World Mobile, a decentralized wireless network operator, has announced the appointment of Manoj Kohli as an advisor to the company. Kohli, an accomplished telecoms veteran with more than four decades of industry experience, previously served as the country head of SoftBank India and as the CEO of Bharti Airtel. Manoj has also recently taken up post as an advisor to Deloitte.

In his new role, Kohli will provide strategic guidance and mentorship to World Mobile's leadership team. The company aims to scale its innovative platform, which combines blockchain technology and hybrid connectivity to offer affordable and accessible wireless services to individuals worldwide.

During his tenure at SoftBank India and Bharti Airtel, Kohli played a pivotal role in driving industry transformations in various sectors, including mobile internet, satellite television, renewable energy, digital unicorns, and electric vehicles. His expertise lies in guiding global businesses that prioritize societal impact.

Micky Watkins, CEO of World Mobile, expressed his enthusiasm about Kohli joining the advisory board, praising him as a visionary leader who revolutionized the telecoms landscape in India, Africa, and beyond. Watkins emphasized the value of Kohli's insights and expertise as the company pursues its mission to democratize wireless access and empower millions through a sharing economy.

Kohli himself expressed excitement about his new role as an advisor, highlighting World Mobile's unique and disruptive proposition. He believes the company has the potential to transform the wireless industry and create significant social impact. Kohli looks forward to collaborating with Watkins and the talented team at World Mobile to support their growth and expansion plans.

As the country head of SoftBank India, Kohli provided strategic guidance to over 25 AI-focused portfolio companies of SoftBank Group and Vision Fund, including major names such as Ola, Oyo, Paytm, and Uber. He also served as the CEO of Bharti Airtel, where he led operations across 20 countries in Asia and Africa, scaling the customer base from 2 million to 400 million and positioning Airtel as the world's third-largest telco by 2015.

Kohli's extensive experience and accomplishments extend beyond his executive roles. He has served on the Board of the GSMA, chaired the CII Task Force on Ease of Doing Business, and currently chairs the CII Unicorn Forum, focused on attracting new tech investments to India. His contributions to the industry have earned him numerous awards, including "Telecom Man of the Year" in 2000 and a "Lifetime Achievement Award" in 2020.

Kohli's appointment comes as World Mobile aims to expand its hybrid connectivity solution across Africa, Asia, the USA, and other regions. The company's decentralized wireless network provides reliable internet access in traditionally underserved areas. Leveraging its decentralized wireless (DeWi) solution, World Mobile offers connectivity at a significantly lower cost compared to traditional mobile network operators and has recently completed successful testing across Africa, servicing over 16,000 users.