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August 2, 2016
Organisers again expect record attendee numbers, with a number of global brands already confirmed as exhibitors
The GSMA has announced the first details of Mobile World Congress 2017, and expects it to once again break attendance records.
Under the theme “Mobile: The Next Element”, the annual trade show will be held from February 27-March 2 at the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, with events also taking place at the nearby Fira Montjuic.
The organisers expect that more than 101,000 people from across the industry and adjacent sectors will attend.
More than 2,200 companies will exhibit at Mobile World Congress 2017, including Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, Google, HTC, Huawei, Lenovo, Microsoft, Nokia Solutions and Networks, Orange, Samsung Electronics, Sony Mobile, Telefonica, Vodafone and ZTE.
Growing mobile importance
GSMA chief marketing officer Michael O’Hara said: “Over the past three decades, mobile has evolved from an emerging communications technology to a phenomenon that is now at the foundation of everything we do. It has inextricably changed how we communicate, interact, work and play as individuals, and it’s transforming entire industries, bringing new levels of productivity and efficiency to enterprises.
“The 2017 edition of Mobile World Congress will highlight just how elemental mobile has become in our everyday lives and the positive impact it is having for billions of people around the world.”
Innovation zones
The GSMA Innovation City, which spans nearly 2,000 square metres, is being relocated to Hall 4, with confirmed partners including AT&T, Cisco Jasper, KT Corporation and Sierra Wireless. There attendees will be able to experience the latest mobile technology and connected products.
NEXTech in Hall 8 is a new addition, with pavilions and experience zones showcasing cutting-edge technology trends, as well as a range of theatres hosting partner events and educational sessions.
The pavilions will bring together companies leading innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, drones, the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics and virtual/augmented reality.
Attendees will also be able to immerse themselves in a number of 360-degree experiences or visit the IoT Pavilion to see how the millions of “things” are getting connected, creating smart homes, smart cities and smart industries.
FYFN and Tours return
Four Years From Now (FYFN) is returning for a fourth year, with the programme taking place at the Fira Montjuic from February 27-March 1. This will be led by experts in the fields of entrepreneurship and will focus on connecting the entrepreneurial community through one-on-one investor meetings, pitching competitions and networking activities.
The GSMA will again offer the MWC Tours, a range of topic and exhibition-focused tours aimed at addressing the specific needs of different audiences at MWC. This year’s programmes included tours that focused on specific technology areas such as 5G, the IoT and mobile media, as well as those designed to help new attendees navigate the venue and identify exhibits, activities and programmes.