2018 Mobile World Congress begins in Feb

Mobile World Congress will be held 26 February – 1 March 2018 at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, with events also taking place at Fira Montjuïc and La Farga L’Hospitalet. This week, GSMA has announced nearly a dozen new keynote speakers for the upcoming Mobile World Congress 2018, as well as updates on exhibitors, sponsors, partners and programmes.

“This would be an amazing show lined up for 2018, across the conference, the exhibition and the many programmes and events that comprise Mobile World Congress,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. “Attendees will have the opportunity to experience many new elements this year, most notably the hospitality and networking areas in the new South Village at Fira Gran Via. We’re looking forward to showcasing how mobile is creating a better future for all.”

New Keynote Speakers Confirmed

The GSMA announced nearly a dozen new keynote speakers for the Mobile World Congress conference programme, representing organisations spanning the broad mobile ecosystem, as well as government and the development community. Recently confirmed keynote speakers include:

• Brigitte Baumann, Founder and Chief Investment Officer, Go Beyond Early Stage Investing
• Brian Behlendorf, Executive Director, Hyperledger
• Ricardo Antonio Rosselló Nevares, Governor, Puerto Rico
• Marie Ehrling, Chair of the Board, Telia Group and Chairwoman, Securitas
• Alastair MacLeod, CEO, Teralytics
• Kathy Calvin, President and CEO, United Nations Foundation
• Ajit Pai, Chairman, United States Federal Communications Commission
• Dr. Jim Yong Kim, President, World Bank

New for the 2018 programme, the Women4Tech keynote will be held on Thursday, 1 March, featuring speakers including Emma McGuigan, Group Technology Officer at Accenture, Berit Svendson, CEO of Telenor Norway and Susana Balbo, Congresswoman and Chair, W20 Group Argentina. The session will put a spotlight on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the communications industry and more broadly in society. Other Mobile World Congress keynote sessions will explore topics including content and media, the digital economy, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, mobile operator strategies, smart services, and sustainability, among others. For more information on the Mobile World Congress conference, visit: www.mobileworldcongress.com/conference-programmes/agenda/.

Additional Exhibitors, Sponsors and Partners Confirmed for 2018

The GSMA announced several new exhibitors, sponsors and partners for Mobile World Congress. In the automotive sector, BMW Group will showcase its BMW i brand in a driverless car demonstration, while Byton will highlight its new connected car, joining other automakers including Mercedes-Benz, SEAT and Toyota on the show floor. Kazakh Telecom and Salesforce are also among the latest companies confirmed to exhibit at Mobile World Congress, joining previously announced exhibitors including Alibaba, AT&T, China Mobile, Cisco Systems, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, Essential, Facebook, Google, HTC, Huawei, Intel, Lenovo, LG, Microsoft, NTT DOCOMO, Nokia Solutions and Networks, Orange, Qualcomm Incorporated, SK Telecom, Telefónica, Verizon, Vivo, Vodafone, Xiaomi and ZTE, among others.

New for 2018, the GSMA has expanded the footprint of Mobile World Congress to include the South Village, located at the South Entrance of Fira Gran Via. This new outdoor hospitality and networking area serves as a vibrant welcoming point for Mobile World Congress, while offering additional meeting facilities for exhibitors and casual seating for attendees. Additionally, a second Meet & Eat venue will be located adjacent to the South Village, with food stands featuring local cuisine. For more information on the exhibition, visit www.mobileworldcongress.com/exhibition/.

Get Involved at Mobile World Congress 2018

For more information on Mobile World Congress 2018, including how to attend, exhibit or sponsor, visit www.mobileworldcongress.com. Follow developments and updates on Mobile World Congress on Twitter @GSMA using #MWC18, on our LinkedIn Mobile World Congress page www.linkedin.com/company/gsma-mobile-world-congress or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mobileworldcongress/.

The Mobile World Congress is the cornerstone of the Mobile World Capital, which will be hosted in Barcelona through 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.