The 2024 edition of Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world’s leading exhibition for mobile technologies and related industries, opened on Monday in Barcelona, Spain.
This year’s MWC focuses on the concept of “Future First”, highlighting the importance of uniting industries, continents, technologies and communities to realize the potential of the future.
The GSMA, the event organizer, expects some 95,000 visitors from around the world to attend the congress on Barcelona’s Gran Via, up from 88,500 recorded last year. The GSMA is an industry group representing the world’s largest mobile operators.
Artificial intelligence (AI) applications on devices and networks, advancements in 5G and 6G technologies, and improved connectivity will be among the key topics at this year’s event.
In his opening speech, GSMA Director General Mats Granryd highlighted the need to align on challenges and opportunities. “Together we are strong and alone we are nobody,” he said.
“With over half of our attendees coming from beyond the core mobile ecosystem, MWC now represents just one industry. As connectivity brings us together, technology unlocks possibilities – with connectivity driving a fusion of technology and purpose across all sectors, opening the way to new possibilities.
This year’s MWC has around 2,400 exhibitors and 1,100 speakers, including nearly 300 Chinese companies such as China Mobile, China Telecom, Huawei, ZTE, Lenovo, Xiaomi and iFlytek.
Chinese operators are seizing new business-to-business opportunities in verticals where their services extend beyond traditional telecommunications, Granryd noted.
The event will end on Thursday.
