GSMA opens doors to MWC Barcelona 2021 – ‘a new era of connected impact’

Date Announced: 30 Jun 2021

GSMA launches Global Mobile Economy Report and a host of new services, product launches and intelligence reports.

Barcelona, Spain -- GSMA is today, June 28th, 2021, 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: “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.”

‘Mobile market report confirms 5G momentum’

The newly-launched 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.

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

• 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.

Contact

E-mail: jcooper@gsma.com

Web Site: www.gsma.com