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June 20, 2022
"This is a pivotal time for the WBBA as we establish ourselves as thought-leaders within the broadband industry and grow our membership to represent a wider consortium of telcos, vertical industry leaders, other service providers, policy makers and investors, as well as software and hardware supply-side vendors."
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Martin Creaner
Director General of the WBBA

Former TM Forum President & CEO, Martin Creaner, appointed as Director General of the World Broadband Association

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One of the leading strategic thinkers in the global communications industry, Martin Creaner, has been appointed to the World Broadband Association (WBBA) as Director General.

The WBBA was founded in July 2021 with a mission to bring together cloud and broadband industry stakeholders to address and drive forward shared goals of closing the digital divide to maximize the social, environmental and economic benefits of equality of digital ultra-broadband for all globally.

The WBBA provides an open, multilateral organization and platform for future-facing broadband cooperation and partnership across the industry, championing the business, consumer and citizen outcomes that broadband is capable of delivering across the world, through converged network and cloud infrastructure.

Martin has previously held the role of President and CEO of TM Forum - the leading industry association - as well as executive roles with Motorola and British Telecom. Martin is a well-respected thought-leader and advisor to the global communications industry and is the author of multiple books on the strategic challenges facing the industry.  His most recent book "Transforming the Telco" explains the opportunities and challenges that digital transformation presents and outlines how the Telco might navigate this difficult process.  Previous books include “Delivering the Digital Economy”, which outlines the dynamics of the digital economy, and "Frameworx Distilled" & "NGOSS Distilled", which provide a detailed guidebook to the standards that underpin the Telecom software industry.

Martin was appointed unanimously to the role by all the members of WBBA.

Martin said: “I am delighted and honored to have been appointed as the World Broadband Association’s inaugural Director General. I look forward to working in partnership with our global membership network to address a number of critical industry challenges, such as inequalities in worldwide broadband access and building future-proof networks, which have been exacerbated due to COVID-19.

“This is a pivotal time for the WBBA as we establish ourselves as thought-leaders within the broadband industry and grow our membership to represent a wider consortium of telcos, vertical industry leaders, other service providers, policy makers and investors, as well as software and hardware supply-side vendors.”

For further information about the appointment please contact Mary Dolan, Community Manager, World Broadband Association via [email protected]

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Martin Creaner
Director General of the World Broadband Association

Martin Creaner is one of the leading strategic thinkers in the global communications industry with a successful career as an executive with Motorola and British Telecom, as well as over a decade as President and CEO of the TM Forum.

Martin currently advises the boards of a number of companies in the communications and high tech industries, ranging from up-and-coming digital economy companies, to market leaders.

Martin has been named among the 25 Most Influential People in Telecom Software by Billing World and has twice been named as one of Global Telecoms Business’ Top 100. Martin holds a Master of Business Administration from Cranfield University, Cranfield School of Management; a Master of Science in Telecommunications from the University of East Anglia; and Bachelor’s degrees in Engineering and Physics from Dublin City University and the University College Dublin, respectively.

Martin is also a recognized thought-leader on digital transformation and the trends of the emerging digital economy. His most recent book “Transforming the Telco” explains the opportunities and challenges that digital transformation presents and outlines how the Telco might navigate this difficult process.

Previous books include “Delivering the Digital Economy”, which outlines the dynamics of the digital economy, and “Frameworx Distilled” & “NGOSS Distilled”, which provide a detailed guidebook to the standards that underpin the Telecom software industry.

Martin was appointed unanimously to the role of Director General by WBBA members.

Martin lives in Cork, Ireland.

Li Zhengmao
Doctor of Engineering, Professor, WBBA Board Chairman

Li Zhengmao, Doctor of Engineering, Professor. He was awarded the title of “Chinese Doctors with Outstanding Contribution” by the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council & the former State Education Commission, and granted the China Youth Science and Technology Award by the China Association for Science and Technology, and the 2017 Distinguished Industry Leader Award by IEEE; he was inducted into the 2020 IPv6 Internet Hall of Fame and enjoyed special government allowances.

Li served as Vice-Chairman of China Institute of Communications, Vice President of Internet Society of China, Vice-Chairman of the Association of Communications Across the Taiwan Straits, Vice-Chairman of All-China Environment Federation, Board member of GSM Association (GSMA), Board Director of Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Alliance, Executive Director of Global TD-LTE Initiative (GTI), Vice President of China United Communications Corporation Limited, Vice President of China Mobile Communications Corporation Limited, and President of China Telecommunications Corporation Limited.

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