PR94818

BARCELONA, Spain, March 3, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

More than 60,000 attendees convened in-person from around the world to discuss

the convergence of mobile, the potential of the metaverse and transforming

vertical industries

The GSMA is celebrating a vibrant and dynamic edition of MWC Barcelona and

there was no doubt it was the place to do business. The world's largest and

most influential connectivity event hosted over 60,000 attendees from almost

200 countries. It was the centre of discussion and debate, the place where

leaders in the mobile ecosystem continued charting the future to achieve the

full potential of technology.

"Nothing beats MWC in person, and it was exciting to bring our community –

which is so passionate about connectivity – back together to discuss the

opportunities that lie ahead." John Hoffman, CEO GSMA Ltd. said. "On behalf of

the GSMA, I would like to thank all of our attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and

partners who came together to make MWC22 so productive, safe, and successful. I

also want to thank Barcelona City Council, Generalitat de Catalunya, the

Ministry of Economy and Digital Transformation, Fira de Barcelona, Tourism de

Barcelona (the Host City Parties), the L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Mobile World

Capital, and the people of Catalonia and Spain. Your support is unwavering, and

your creativity, hospitality, and perseveclrance continually inspire us."

Connectivity Unleashed

Over four days, more than 1,900 companies joined MWC22 Barcelona to showcase

the role of mobile technology in unleashing connectivity, exploring 5G Connect

(https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/discover-mwc/themes/5g-connect) sponsored by

Salesforce, Advancing AI

(https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/discover-mwc/themes/advancing-ai), Internet of

Everything

(https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/discover-mwc/themes/internet-of-everything),

CloudNet (https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/discover-mwc/themes/cloudnet) by

Kyndryl, FinTech (https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/discover-mwc/themes/fintech),

and the Tech Horizon

(https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/discover-mwc/themes/tech-horizon).

Thought leadership from entrepreneurs, government ministers, and extraordinary

people pushing the boundaries of our imaginations spoke from stages across the

event. From traditional industries to award-winning filmmakers speakers

challenged and inspired attendees to think about new ways of leveraging

technology.

Vertical collaboration, startup innovation, and much more at MWC22

Again this year, the Ministerial Programme at MWC was the centre of global

digital policy debate. With more than 160 delegations from countries and

international institutions around the world, policymakers, regulators, industry

leaders, and the international development community exchanged experiences and

views on how to build policies for a digital world, maximise the potential of

5G, close the digital gap, and meet global climate targets. As the world

becomes increasingly digital, there was broad agreement that we need more

collaboration and cooperation amongst all stakeholders to expand digital

inclusion for all. This year, leaders like Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman of

the U.S. FCC, and Minister Paula Ingabire of Rwanda not only contributed to the

conversation in the Ministerial Programme, but brought their policy priorities

to the MWC keynote stage.

All-new for this year's edition, Industry City, co-delivered with Knowledge

Partner Accenture showcased demos from the FinTech, Manufacturing, and

Automotive sectors. With a buzz of activity, Industry City was a must-see space

at the event. Visitors had the opportunity to experience a range of Summits

covering robotics and smart mobility topics through interactive metaverse tours

and demonstrations from partners and the GSMA Foundry programme.

Focus on the local entrepreneurial startup community returned with the 4YFN

(Four Years from Now) programme – supported by platinum sponsor BStartup Banco

Sabadell – as it welcomed over 500 international startups and over 300 speakers

to share insights on how to drive the ecosystem forward. Competing for more

than €24 billion of investment, 200 startups pitched to leading funds, VCs, and

CVCs during the event.

MWC22 by the numbers

- Over 60,000 unique people attended in person

- Around 500,000 unique virtual and daily viewers on MWC22 and partner

platforms

- Representation from almost 200 countries and territories

- Over 1,900 exhibitors, sponsors, and partners

- Over 1,000 speakers, 97% in person and 36% women

- More than 50% of attendees were Directors and C-Suite executives, 20% were

CEOs and founders, 25% were women

- Millions tuned into MWC22 Barcelona content via Mobile World Live global

syndication and official national and international broadcasters.

- More than 1,600 international journalists were onsite

Our gratitude

"The momentum leading into MWC22 was palpable, and it delivered," said Mats

Granryd, Director General, GSMA. "In the spirit of our theme 'Connectivity

Unleashed', we saw how industries were going beyond simple connectivity to

deliver meaningful connectivity, deploying technology in ground-breaking ways

that will shape industry and society. I thank every person who helped make MWC

Barcelona 2022 an unmissable event – and as we move to a 'digital everything'

world, I look forward to seeing what we achieve next year!"

MWC22 was covered by Mobile World Live, CNBC, Euronews, Financial Times, TIME,

The Wall Street Journal Barron's Group, and more than 1,600 international

journalists. Featured Media Partners include C114, Insider Intelligence, Radio

+ Television Business Report, Technology Record, and TeleSemana. A huge thank

you to all our MWC22 partners and sponsors. Your collaboration and support

contributed significantly to the buzz and excitement of being together at this

time.

Local initiatives like, Meet and Eat and Beat Barcelona showcased the best of

the city. A preliminary economic analysis indicated that MWC will have

contributed more than €240 million to Barcelona's economy and created more than

6,700 part-time jobs in 2022. And once again, MWC was a carbon-neutral event.

Looking to the future

Following a successful MWC22 Barcelona, the GSMA is working hard to deliver the

full MWC series in 2022. The next event, MWC Shanghai, will take place from

29th June – 1st July, followed by the inaugural MWC Las Vegas from 28th-30th

September and rounded off by MWC Africa from 25-27th October – which will

return in person to Kigali for the first time since 2019.

As the mobile industry gathered this week at MWC22, our thoughts have been with

those suffering hardship and loss. Businesses, governments, and individuals

alike are wrestling with meaningful ways to help, even as the conflict

continues to escalate. Many of our members are responding by facilitating

communication with loved ones and by addressing humanitarian needs.

Find out more about MWC Barcelona: www.mwcbarcelona.com.

About GSMA

The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover,

develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments

and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so

that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and

organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA

delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good,

Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing

policy, tackling today's biggest societal challenges, underpinning the

technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the

world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360

series of events.

We invite you to find out more at gsma.com.

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Media Contacts:

GSMA Press Office

pressoffice@gsma.com

SOURCE: GSMA