On September 22, 2025, T-Mobile announced a major leadership change: Srinivasan “Srini” Gopalan, the company’s current Chief Operating Officer (COO), will succeed Mike Sievert as CEO, effective November 1, 2025. This transition is part of a long-planned succession strategy to guide the company into its next phase of growth, emphasizing customer-centric innovation, AI-driven transformation, and expansion in wireless and broadband markets.
Who is Srini Gopalan?
Gopalan is a seasoned telecom executive with a strong track record in driving growth and technological advancements. His background includes:
- Serving as CEO of Deutsche Telekom’s Germany business, where he doubled growth rates and significantly expanded fiber access infrastructure.
- Holding senior leadership roles at Bharti Airtel (a major Indian telecom provider), Vodafone, and even Capital One in the financial sector, giving him a blend of telecom and data-driven expertise.
- Joining T-Mobile as COO earlier in 2025, where he has overseen the Technology, Consumer, and Business groups. In this role, he has focused on data-driven strategies, AI-enabled operations, digital-first customer experiences, and strengthening T-Mobile’s 5G leadership.
Gopalan’s experience aligns with T-Mobile’s “Un-carrier” ethos, which prioritizes disrupting traditional telecom norms through innovation and value for customers.
What Happens to Current CEO Mike Sievert?
Mike Sievert, who has led T-Mobile since 2020, is stepping down from the CEO role earlier than initially anticipated but will remain deeply involved with the company. He will transition to a newly created position as Vice Chairman, where he will:
- Continue serving on T-Mobile’s management team and Board of Directors.
- Advise on key areas like strategy, innovation, talent development, and external relations.
Under Sievert’s leadership, T-Mobile experienced explosive growth: adding tens of millions of customers, boosting market capitalization by over $200 billion, and solidifying its position as a leader in 5G networks and customer value. Sievert described the move as timely, praising Gopalan’s readiness and expressing excitement about supporting the company in his new advisory capacity.
Reasons for the Change and What to Expect
This isn’t a sudden shift but the result of a multi-year succession planning process initiated by Sievert and T-Mobile’s Board. The goal is to build on T-Mobile’s momentum while adapting to evolving industry demands, such as AI integration, digital transformation, and competitive pressures in broadband and wireless services.
In terms of what will happen:
- Immediate Transition (November 1, 2025): Gopalan assumes full CEO responsibilities, overseeing day-to-day operations and strategic direction. Sievert’s move to Vice Chairman ensures continuity without a leadership vacuum.
- Strategic Focus: T-Mobile will continue prioritizing customer experiences, expanding market share in wireless and broadband, and maintaining its edge as “America’s best network with the best value.” Expect emphasis on AI and data analytics to enhance services, potentially leading to new customer offerings or efficiency improvements.
- Potential Impacts: For customers, this could mean accelerated innovation in 5G and beyond, with a stronger push toward digital-first interactions. Investors might see it as a positive signal of stability, given Gopalan’s proven growth-oriented background. However, as with any CEO change, there could be short-term stock fluctuations—though the planned nature of this transition minimizes risks.
- Broader Context: T-Mobile, majority-owned by Deutsche Telekom, benefits from Gopalan’s prior experience within the DT group. Deutsche Telekom CEO Tim Höttges endorsed the change, calling T-Mobile the “most innovative company in the industry” and expressing confidence in Gopalan’s leadership.
Overall, this leadership handoff positions T-Mobile for sustained growth in a competitive telecom landscape, leveraging Gopalan’s expertise to evolve the company’s strategy while preserving its disruptive spirit. If you’re a T-Mobile customer or investor, no immediate disruptions are expected, but watch for updates on new initiatives post-November.