Billed as “the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event,” MWC22 Barcelona opened its doors yesterday at the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona. The event is designed to reflect on a new era of connectivity and collaboration across the mobile industry. Monday’s speaker line-up delivered keynotes from AT&T, China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Millicom, Telstra, Telefonica, Telia Company and Vodafone.
Opening MWC22 Barcelona with a keynote address, Mats Granryd, Director General of GSMA, said: “We are delighted to see vibrancy return to Barcelona this year as we convene, collaborate and do business. This edition of MWC provides a collective opportunity to showcase how the digital ecosystem transforms lives and supports global recovery through the power of mobile technology.”
This week, according to Granryd, promises an array of announcements, including an automotive launch, with Fisker’s unveiling of the new all-electric Ocean SUV. This year’s theme, Connectivity Unleashed, showcases the power of mobile technology in our everyday lives and explores the ground-breaking technologies that will shape industry and society, according to Granryd. Connectivity is now intelligently transforming industries as the world moves from simple connectivity to meaningful connectivity. With exceptional speakers lined up, exciting product launches, the launch of the GSMA’s Global Mobile Economy Report 2022, and the all-new Industry City.
“The doors are now open! Our attendees will experience more than 1,500 exhibitors and have access to more than 1,000 speakers, plus entrepreneurs, rebels, and people doing the extraordinary,” said John Hoffman, CEO GSMA Ltd. “We are on a journey to digital everything, and MWC22 is the place to experience what that means.”
For the first time at MWC, live universal sign language interpretation (SLI) will be provided at all keynotes, Diversity4Tech sessions, and the Mobile for Development (M4D) session “Reaching Underserved Population Segments” at 4YFN (Four Years From Now), the GSMA’s leading start-up and innovation event. The SLI will be provided in person by partner DeafTawk. The interpretation has been made possible by funding DeafTawk secured from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and GSMA Innovation Fund for Assistive Tech.
The GSMA issued the following statement regarding on-going events in the Ukraine: “The GSMA strongly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The situation is fast-moving, and we understand that various governments are considering broader sanctions against Russia. In light of this emerging situation and considering the tragic loss of life, MWC seems immaterial under the circumstances. MWC is a unifying event with a vision to convene the mobile ecosystem to progress ways and means that connectivity can ensure people, industry, and society thrive. The GSMA follows all government sanctions and policies resulting from this situation. There will be no Russian Pavilion at MWC22. Security for the event is constantly reviewed and adjusted as information emerges,” the statement read.
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