PR88195

SHANGHAI, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- China continues its rapid uptake of 5G with 200m additional connections in

the last year

    GSMA is celebrating a return to in-person events with the launch of MWC

Shanghai 2021, which opens today. This first-of-its-kind experience combines

unique in-person and virtual elements, heralding a new era of connectivity and

collaboration for the mobile industry.

    Around 20,000 visitors are expected to gain first-hand insights into the

mobile industry through unique content and debates hosted at the Shanghai New

International Expo Centre. They will be joined by thousands more who will log

onto My MWCS Online from over a hundred countries. There will be plenty of

opportunities to gain new industry information and make important business

contacts.

    "Today marks an important milestone for Asia's mobile industry and the

wider region's economy. MWC Shanghai 2021 is the first hybrid event of its kind

bringing innovations and ideas to attendees in-person and online," said John

Hoffman, CEO GSMA Ltd. "Sadly, I cannot be there in person but will connect as

a virtual attendee to join the debate and witness technology innovations that

are already shaping our future. I'm looking forward to engaging with you during

the proceedings and hearing your thoughts after its close."

    Exciting thought leadership and world-class exhibits

    MWC Shanghai 2021 was inaugurated by a keynote address from Mats Granryd,

Director General GSMA. Presentations from organisations like China Mobile,

China Telecom, China Unicom, Huawei, Lenovo, Nokia, Verizon and ZTE, combined

with a host of other thought leaders and exhibits from over 200 companies, such

as Nokia Shanghai Bell, Qualcomm, and Samsung make this a not-to-be-missed

experience, in-person or online.

    The theme of MWC Shanghai 2021 is 'Connected Impact', and the agenda

showcases how the digital ecosystem supports global recovery and transforms

lives. Sessions on 5G Connectivity, Connected Industry, AI and Start-up

Innovation with other exciting features like the 5G Innovation Zone and the

Digital Leaders Programme are highly anticipated.

    China continues to be one of the world's leading markets for 5G technology,

according to 'The Mobile Economy China 2021 Report' from GSMA Intelligence,

which is being launched at the event. Key findings include the scale of 5G

uptake in China: during 2020 there were more than 200 million new connections.

By 2025 it is estimated that there will be more than 800 million 5G connections

across the country, driving a range of products and services for both

individual consumers and the wider economy.

    Supporting the post-pandemic recovery

    Investment in 5G is also helping the global economy overcome the effects of

Covid-19 and transition to a post-pandemic economic recovery. By 2030, upgrades

to 5G will add more than $600 billion annually to the global economy, according

to GSMA research. That's approximately 2.1% of the income growth expected in

the coming decade, across all industries and sectors.

    "It's been a tough 12 months but a path to a post-pandemic world is

starting to emerge. Importantly, 5G and mobile communications sit at the heart

of that recovery," said Mats Granryd. "We're already planning for the return of

MWC Barcelona this summer. The momentum created in Shanghai will be carried on

to the Barcelona event, which will mark the next step forward for our

industry."

    Industry professionals wanting to discover more about the latest

developments in 5G should attend MWC Shanghai 2021.

    To register for Shanghai 2021 and for information about how to attend and

pass types, please visit: www.mwcshanghai.com/register/.

    A copy of 'The Mobile Economy China 2021 Report' can be downloaded

www.gsma.com/mobileeconomy/china/.

    About GSMA

    The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting

more than 750 operators with almost 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 https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/ , Africa

https://www.gsmathrive.com/africa/ , Los Angeles https://www.mwclosangeles.com/

and Shanghai https://www.mwcshanghai.com/ , as well as the Thrive Series

https://www.gsmathrive.com/ of regional conferences.

    For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at

www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

    Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1442723/GSMA_Photo.jpg

    Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1385555/GSMA_Logo.jpg

    Source: GSMA