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BARCELONA, Spain , June 28, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

    - GSMA launches Global Mobile Economy Report and a host of new services,

product launches and intelligence reports

    GSMA is today celebrating the return of MWC Barcelona, the world's largest

mobile ecosystem event. This year's edition of MWC Barcelona will be a powerful

combination of a physical and virtual event – the first of its kind since

Covid-19. The GSMA commits to bringing the best of what the mobile industry

offers to its 35,000 in-person attendees and thousands more worldwide. This new

format heralds a new era of connectivity and collaboration for the mobile

industry.

    Kicking off MWC Barcelona 2021 with a keynote address, Mats Granryd,

Director General of GSMA, said: "We are excited to be back to business, back in

Barcelona and back together.

    This year's theme, Connected Impact, puts front and centre the power of

mobile technology to affect meaningful change. With arguably our strongest

speaker line-up yet, innovative product launches, and the release of the GSMA

Intelligence Global Mobile Economy Report 2021, we're celebrating the

resilience and progress the industry has made despite a year of extraordinary

challenges."

    Global Mobile Economy Report 2021 reaffirms 5G momentum

    Launching today, the annual Global Mobile Economy Report reveals continued

momentum surrounding 5G rollout, with every region in the world now hosting a

live commercial 5G network. Since the industry last met in Barcelona in

February 2019, the number of 5G networks increased from three in South Korea;

to 165 networks in over 65 countries worldwide.

    The report highlights the crucial role mobile technology will play as

governments look to reinvigorate their economies and build a better, more

inclusive society. It outlines a series of policy recommendations for shaping

the post-pandemic digital economy, from direct stimulus funds and balancing

policies for personal data to removing barriers to network deployment.

    Other key findings include:

    - By the end of 2025, 5G will account for just over a fifth of total mobile

connections, and more than two in five people around the world will live within

reach of a 5G network.

    - In 2021, 5G networks have been launched for the first time in Indonesia,

Kenya, and just this month, Tajikistan.

    - Although 4G has significant headroom for growth; Globally, 4G is expected

to peak at just under 60% by 2023 as 5G begins to gain traction in new markets.

In leading 5G markets such as China, South Korea, and the US, 4G has peaked

and, in some cases, begun to decline.

    The Global Mobile Economy Report's release coincides with the eagerly

anticipated return of the GSMA Ministerial Programme. The programme sees 133

delegations representing 106 countries and 27 international organisations

taking part in this year's discussions. More than 650 senior policymakers,

regulators, industry leaders, and government officials are coming together to

discuss and learn how digital connectivity is acting in the service of people

while driving economies of the future.

    Blockchain network for wholesale roaming

    Another significant step forward for the mobile industry today is

announcing the "GSMA eBusiness Network" commercial readiness, a new

private-permission industry-wide blockchain network.

    The first suite of GSMA applications hosted on the network aims to

transform the wholesale roaming clearing and settlement process.

    The move follows collaborative research between GSMA and six global mobile

operator groups. They were the founding members of the Blockchain for Wholesale

Roaming (BWR) initiative convened by the GSMA. Together with GSMA, the six

operators – Deutsche Telekom Global Carrier, CK Hutchison, Orange, Telefónica,

Verizon, and Vodafone – consolidated several successful proof-of-concept trials

using blockchain technology into a minimum viable product (MVP). The effort

successfully delivered an open-source blockchain solution that automates the

operations of the wholesale roaming settlement process.

    Tackling Society's most pressing challenges

    Recognising the critical role startups play in fulfilling the potential of

mobile technology, 4YFN is now also underway. For the first time, will be

placed at the heart of MWC Barcelona in the Fira Gran Via. New this year is the

4YFN Investor Programme, which will give the 400 international startups in

attendance an opportunity to attract the attention of leading funds, VCs, and

CVCs. In addition, the inaugural 4YFN Impact Awards will spotlight startups

from around the globe who are making a positive contribution to the planet.

    John Hoffman, CEO GSMA Ltd, commented, "The mobile industry is committed on

driving innovation that is accessible, fair, and safe for all. This year's MWC

Barcelona is a perfect opportunity to come together as an industry and discuss

how we can achieve this. While the mobile coverage gap has narrowed by 1

billion people in the last five years, a more significant usage gap remains,

and together we must combat it.

    "This week, I look forward to having conversations, in person and

virtually, with those who want to challenge the present, champion the future

and create positive impact for the world so that together we can unlock the

full power of connectivity."

    Don't miss tomorrow's programme that includes a keynote from Elon Musk and

a performance by Jon Bon Jovi live from TelcoDR's booth. You can still register

here, mwcbarcelona.com [https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/attend/registration].

    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.

    Logo : https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1551352/GSMA_Logo.jpg

    Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1552707/GSMA_Mats_Granryd.jpg

    SOURCE: GSMA