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“Today we celebrate another highly successful MWC Barcelona, which brought together attendees, governments and regulators across the global ecosystem, spanning multiple sectors and reflecting the expanding role of mobile connectivity,” said John Hoffman, CEO, GSMA Ltd. “With the theme of ‘Intelligent Connectivity’, 5G was prominent at MWC19 and it was exciting to see a glimpse of that new world, with 5G-enabled handsets launched, new products and services, and even the first demonstration of live tele-monitored surgery over 5G technology. The mobile industry continues to make strong progress with 5G and MWC Barcelona continues to showcase the best and most creative elements of our connected world.”
MWC Conference: Intelligent Connectivity
Over four days, MWC19 highlighted the intersection of ‘hyper-connectivity’, enabled by 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT), and ‘intelligence’, delivered by artificial intelligence (AI) and big data. In addition to the core elements of intelligent connectivity, MWC19 explored the key topics of Content, Digital Trust, Digital Wellness and The Future.
Keynote speakers represented organisations including ARM, Cisco, Citi, Daimler AG and Mercedes Benz, Digital Asset Holdings, Groupon, HTC, Huawei, IOC, KT Corporation, Light, Microsoft, Niantic Inc., Orange Group, Picasso Labs, Rakuten, Singtel, Smart Dubai, Sparrho, United Nations, Universal Music Group, Vimeo and Vodafone Group.
Showcasing the Future of Mobile
As always, MWC showcased the technologies, products and services that are shaping the future of mobile. More than 2,400 companies participated at MWC19 across more than 120,000 net square metres of exhibition and hospitality space at Fira Gran Via, including major brands such as Accenture, Alibaba Cloud, ARM, AT&T, BMW, Cisco Systems, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, Facebook, Google, HTC, Huawei, Intel, Lenovo, LG, Mercedes-Benz, Microsoft, NTT DOCOMO, Nokia Solutions and Networks, Ooredoo, Oracle, Orange, Qualcomm Incorporated, SAP, SEAT, SK Telecom, Telefónica, Verizon, Vodafone, Xiaomi and ZTE.
GSMA Leading the Way
The GSMA’s award-winning video broadcast service Mobile World Live TV, which provides content throughout MWC, this year marked the first trial of 5G live broadcasting at the event. This year’s broadcasts were supported by Samsung's 5G network, enabling true seamless transmission with low latency over the entire five days.
The GSMA also introduced BREEZ (Biometric Recognition Easy Entry Zone). Opt-in enrolment to BREEZ allowed contactless entry for attendees, enhancing security and eliminating the need to show ID or have badges scanned in order to enter the event at venue entry points and restricted areas. In its first year, more than 40 per cent of attendees used the service to successfully enter MWC19.
GSMA Innovation City
The popular GSMA Innovation City was visited by more than a third of MWC attendees, which experienced the mix of 5G, IoT, AI and big data and saw how it is already positively impacting the lives of citizens and businesses around the world. Visitors had the opportunity to experience a number of hands-on demonstrations across a range of diverse sectors including entertainment, transportation, environment and robotics from our partners Google, Huawei, KT Corporation, Sierra Wireless and Turkcell, as well as from GSMA programmes.
NEXTech
In the NEXTech Theatres, the GSMA hosted 40 Programmes by 38 Partners over the four days. The spotlight was on disruptive technologies from virtual reality/augmented reality and robotics, to cognitive computing, artificial intelligence, and more. The Graphene Pavilion was back for the fourth year, showcasing exciting ideas for bringing the benefits of graphene to new applications. Embracing new ideas for innovation and growth, MWC19 again presented the Mobile World Scholar Challenge to highlight new and impactful ideas from the academic and research communities across the globe.
Ministerial Programme: Platform for Critical Policy Dialogue
An integral element of MWC Barcelona, the Ministerial Programme offers a unique forum for ministers, regulators, international organisations and CEOs from around the world to discuss key developments and policy trends in the mobile sector. This year’s programme broadenened the traditional policy and regulation discussion, with a new focus on mobile and the emerging digital citizen. The 2019 Ministerial Programme hosted 190 delegations from 150 countries and 40 international organisations, with total attendance exceeding 2,000 delegates.
Innovative and Entrepreneurial Startups Showcased at 4YFN
4 Years from Now (4YFN), one of the most influential start-up event platforms in the world, welcome more than 23,000 attendees in its sixth edition in Barcelona, with sponsors including Banco Sabadell, Airbus, Telefonica and Vueling. The programme included keynotes, panels, fireside chats and start-up competitions, 1:1 start-up mentoring, investor and corporate meetings, pitching competitions, “pitch the press” sessions, networking activities and more.
Women4Tech: Reducing the Gender Gap, Championing Diversity
At MWC Barcelona the GSMA continued its commitment to increased the number of women at the event, with more than 25,000 female attendees. Additionally 37 per cent of keynote speakers and 27 per cent of all speakers in the conference programme were women. Back for its third year and continuing the commitment to reducing the gender gap in the mobile ecosystem, the GSMA Women4Tech Summit gathered senior leaders to discuss hot topics ranging from finding AI talent to working in a post #MeToo world, among others. New to the Women4Tech Summit was Inside Track which offered attendees the opportunity to gain critical insights on their own professional skills from a Fortune 500 expert.
YoMo Back in Barcelona
The hugely successful Youth Mobile Festival (YoMo) returned to Barcelona for a third year, continuing to inspire young people to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering, art/design, and maths (STEAM). Over the five days, approximately 25,000 young people aged between 8-18 and educators from around Catalunya, gathered to participate in an array of educational exhibits, live theatre shows, interactive workshops and hands-on activities, as well as educator-focused workshops, lectures and more. More than 50 per cent of the attendees at YoMo were female, helping to address gender equality for future generations and further the GSMA’s commitment to reducing the gender gap in the mobile ecosystem.
Carbon Neutral Event
In 2017, Mobile World Congress 2016 was officially certified as carbon neutral and Mobile World Congress was recognised by Guinness World Records (GWR) as the world’s largest carbon neutral trade show for the second year in a row. Mobile World Congress 2018 has been recognised again by GWR as the world’s largest carbon neutral trade show. In 2019, the GSMA is continuing to pursue certification of its offices and events and is focused on further reducing the environmental impact and carbon footprint of the event, offsetting any outstanding emissions as necessary.
“On behalf of the GSMA, I would like to thank all of our attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and partners who came together to make MWC19 so productive and successful,” concluded Hoffman. “Further, we extend our gratitude to the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, the Generalitat de Catalunya, the city of Barcelona, the city of Hospitalet, Turisme de Barcelona, the Fira de Barcelona and the Mobile World Capital Barcelona Foundation for their ongoing support.”
Get Involved at MWC20 Barcelona
MWC20 Barcelona will be held 24-27 February, 2020. More information on MWC Barcelona is available at www.mwcbarcelona.com. Follow @GSMAEvents on Twitter for event developments and updates and use #MWC19 to be part of the conversation. You can also find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mwcbarcelona/ or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mobileworldcongress/. Follow @GSMA on Twitter for other GSMA news and activity.
MWC is the cornerstone of the Mobile World Capital, which will be hosted in Barcelona through to 2023. The Mobile World Capital encompasses programmes and activities that span the entire year and will benefit not only the citizens of Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain, but also the worldwide mobile industry. For more information on the Mobile World Capital, visit www.mobileworldcapital.com.
Note to editor: *This figure represents the number individual attendees at the event, including delegates, exhibitors, contractors and media; it does not represent the total number of entries to the event.
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About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators and nearly 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences.
For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.