MWC26, the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event, this year celebrated 20 years in Barcelona, bringing together exhibitors, thought leaders, startups, and policymakers all under one roof. Despite global travel disruptions, it welcomed nearly 105,000 attendees from 207 countries to Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via.
The event brought together over 2,900 exhibitors, sponsors, and partners, with more than 1,700 speakers and thought leaders, including 40% C-level speakers and 35% female speakers, offering diverse perspectives on the future of technology. It also convened nearly 2,600 journalists and industry analysts from around the world.
The GSMA Ministerial Programme convened 188 delegations, 45 intergovernmental organisations, 54 ministers, and 118 heads of regulatory authorities, highlighting the event’s global influence. Additionally, the 4YFN startup event welcomed over 1,000 exhibitors from leading startups and corporations, over 300 speakers and hundreds of investors with collective funds totalling $70 billion, underscoring the event’s critical role in driving innovation across industries. Separately, Talent Arena organised by Mobile World Capital Barcelona and co-located with MWC26, welcomed more than 25,000 visitors from 141countries, a 25% more than last year. It drew a highly experienced audience, with 55% senior professionals, and more than 2.400 companies took part.
GSMA Europe is pleased to present a selection of notable European highlights from this year’s MWC Barcelona.
European leaders set their vision for the future of the industry
At the opening of MWC26, European CEOs Christel Heydemann, Orange, and Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group, joined industry leaders to chart a path toward a hyper-connected world shaped by AI-native networks and next-generation infrastructure. Discover how operators are rethinking value creation and building the foundations of a more dynamic, intelligent and equitable digital economy.
Europe’s thought leaders on strategic tech sovereignty
Industry thought leaders from some of Europe’s leading companies, including Eutelsat, Telefónica, and Deutsche Telekom, reflected on how the region can strengthen its autonomy while remaining open, innovative, and globally engaged amid rising geopolitical risk and intensifying technological rivalry. Guided by Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, the discussion highlighted that strategic investment and strong political commitment will be crucial to shaping a more sovereign, competitive, and resilient future.
European Commission takes the spotlight at MWC26
MWC26 was honoured to welcome Henna Virkkunen, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy in Barcelona. Henna Virkkunen took the main stage with a keynote titled “Advancing Europe’s Telecom Framework: More Competitiveness, More Single Market, More Resilience”. In her address, she doubled down on the importance of strengthening Europe’s telecom landscape by boosting competitiveness, deepening Single Market integration, and enhancing resilience.
On the same day, EVP Virkkunen also met with the CEOs of European GSMA board members to exchange views on the Digital Networks Act and the future of connectivity in Europe.
EU Ministers at the GSMA Ministerial Programme
This year’s programme brought together EU Ministers and leading European telecommunications industry CEOs to engage in a forward-looking dialogue on the continent’s digital future. The EU Ministerial roundtable focused on the Digital Networks Act (DNA) and served as a timely platform for discussing the implications of the DNA, exploring how this transformative legislation can help Europe build a resilient, competitive, and innovative connectivity landscape.
EU Ministers also took the Ministerial Stage to discuss global and European topics such as tech sovereignty, global digital policy cooperation and public–private collaboration to drive prosperity and progress.
European Parliament delegation in Barcelona
The GSMA and the European Internet Forum again created a tailor-made programme for Members of the European Parliament visiting MWC26. The activities began with a Welcome Reception for MEPs, EU institutions, and members, featuring insights from EU lawmakers and GSMA’s Laszlo Toth on the future of connectivity in Europe, with a special focus on upcoming policy initiatives such as the Digital Networks Act.
The GSMA also organised a high-level roundtable with Members of the European Parliament and representatives of mobile network operators to discuss the Digital Networks Act. Opened by GSMA’s Elsa Sependa, MEP del Castillo and Jakob Greiner, Chair of the GSMA Policy Group Europe, the roundtable allowed participants to explore in detail the future of Europe’s digital connectivity and the Digital Networks Act proposal.
Members of the European Parliament also visited the MWC exhibition stands of mobile operators, European telecom vendors, and other industry players.
Digital Networks Act put to the test on the GSMA Ministerial Stage
The proposed Digital Networks Act was among the most debated topics this year. To further examine the proposal GSMA’s Laszlo Toth brought together EU policymakers and industry leaders to explore whether the DNA in its current form truly delivers the scale, cohesion, and regulatory clarity Europe needs to stay competitive in the global digital economy. Panellists included Renate Nikolay, Deputy Director‑General at DG CONNECT in the European Commission; Michał Kobosko, Member of the European Parliament; Joakim Reiter, Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer at Vodafone; and Juan Montero Rodil, Chief Public Policy, Competition and Regulatory Officer at Telefónica S.A.
Competition in the Digital Age
This session with Dominique Leroy, Member of the Board of Management and CEO Europe of Deutsche Telekom, Pietro Labriola, CEO & General Manager of TIM and Marcelo Benitez, CEO of Millicom, moderated by Professor Alexandre de Streel explored new thinking on mobile market structures, weighing the role of consolidation, regional variation, and investor confidence in building resilient, inclusive digital economies.
European regulators visit MWC26
The GSMA welcomed European regulators at MWC26 and the Ministerial Programme. At the annual GSMA-BEREC Regulatory Roundtable, BEREC delegates, led by Marko Mišmaš, BEREC Chair 2026, discussed with representatives of the European mobile operators the key issues facing connectivity in Europe. Participants exchanged views on the key aspects of the Digital Networks Act such as open internet, dispute resolution, regulatory simplification and spectrum.
An MWC26 exhibition tour was also organised for the BEREC delegation as part of their visit.
Highlights from the Ministerial Stage
European policymakers and regulators were among the key voices shaping this year’s GSMA Ministerial Programme. The agenda featured contributions from Óscar López Agueda, Spain’s Minister for Digital and Civil Service Transformation; Joakim Reiter, Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer at Vodafone; Wolfgang Kopf, Senior Vice President for Group Public and Regulatory Affairs at Deutsche Telekom; and Giacomo Robustelli, Vice President for European Affairs & Economic Studies at TIM, along with many other distinguished leaders who helped frame the discussions.
Ministerial pass holders can access all sessions on demand and continue exploring the insights shared throughout the event. Planning is already underway for next year’s Programme, taking place from 1-3 March 2027. Make sure to secure your place and be part of the conversations that will shape Europe’s digital future.
Latest GSMA reports launched at MWC26
The countdown begins. See you at MWC Barcelona 2027!
We hope your visit to Barcelona was inspiring and memorable. Thank you to all attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and partners, along with everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this event one of the standout tech and start-up gatherings of the year.
Mark your calendars for MWC Barcelona 2027, happening 1–4 March 2027. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable edition: more innovation, more connections, and even more reasons to be excited about the future!