CEO of Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association to depart

Louise Hyland, the CEO of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), has announced her departure, effective tomorrow, from the peak national body representing Australia's mobile telecommunications industry.

At the end of last month, members of the Australian Telecommunications Alliance (ATA) and the AMTA approved the merger of the two organisations.

The benefits of the industry bodies coming together, according to the organisations, was that of being a single voice for the sector to improve advocacy with key stakeholders; full coverage of regulatory, technical and operational issues impacting telcos, equipment suppliers and a range of other industry participants; and an enhanced ability to provide expert advice on the capabilities and dependencies of Australia’s critical digital infrastructure.

Hyland said that with that merger now having happened, it felt like a "natural transition point" for both the organisation and for her personally.

"It has been a privilege to lead AMTA through a period of significant growth, change and increasing maturity. I am proud that it enters its next phase with strong foundations, trusted relationships and a clear contribution to make," she said in a post on LinkedIn.

"Together, our small but committed team strengthened AMTA’s advocacy across spectrum, infrastructure, safety, sustainability, social impact and the future of mobile. We also improved governance, strengthened the organisation’s financial and operational position, and built a more collaborative, transparent and values-led culture.

"Highlights include seeing key recommendations from our Future of Mobile report adopted in this year’s federal budget, and strengthening the industry programs AMTA operates, including MobileMuster, which was recognised by the World Economic Forum as a world leading example of an e-waste collection and recycling program."

Hyland said her next steps are set to include building a portfolio career across advisory and non-executive roles, drawing on her experience in law, governance, operations, stakeholder engagement, organisational growth and executive leadership.

Prior to helming the AMTA, she served in such roles as GM of commercial implementation for nbn Australia and commercial director and general counsel of PCCW - UK Broadband.