MWC25 Barcelona, the largest connectivity event in the world, attracted 109,000 attendees from 205 countries, showcasing groundbreaking advancements in mobile technology and AI. Industry leaders gathered to discuss the future of technology and its impact on society, business, and culture, with keynotes and debates highlighting topics such as AI-powered networks and the future of smart mobility.
The event brought together over 2,900 exhibitors, sponsors, and partners, with more than 1,200 speakers and thought leaders, including 41% women, offering diverse perspectives on the future of technology. The GSMA Ministerial Programme hosted 188 delegations from 148 countries, alongside 66 ministers and 111 heads of regulatory authorities, highlighting the event’s global influence. Additionally, the 4YFN startup event featured over 1,000 exhibitors, nearly 380 speakers, and 900 investors with a collective fund of €60 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 MWC25 at Fira Montjuïc, welcomed more than 20,000 attendees with 53% senior professionals, and 47% students and young professionals.
GSMA Europe is pleased to share some of the key European highlights at this year’s MWC Barcelona.
European Commission takes main stage at MWC25
MWC25 was honoured to welcome two European Commission Executive Vice-Presidents (EVP) in Barcelona. Henna Virkkunen, EVP for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, took the main stage during the Keynote 3, offering global perspective on the telecom policy. In her address she doubled down on the importance of boosting connectivity investments in Europe to unlock the digital single market and cut red tape to ensure competitiveness.
On the same day, Ms Virkkunen also sit down with the CEOs of European GSMA members for an exchange of views on the upcoming Digital Networks Act and the future of connectivity in Europe.
Teresa Ribera, EVP for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, opened the GSMA Ministerial Programme. During her keynote address she emphasised the significant impact of telecoms on people and businesses, highlighting the need to balance progress with critical challenges like cybersecurity, data protection, and sustainability. She noted that over 80% of consumers now have access to high-speed digital connectivity and stressed the importance of addressing market fragmentation and adopting a broader approach for the single market. Ministerial pass holders can watch the session on demand.
European industry leaders address common problems
The CEOs of some of Europe’s biggest operators Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone Group and Telefónica took the main stage at MWC25 again and provided a dour assessment of the industry on the continent and discussed solutions to reform outdated regulatory environment including cutting the red tape, a need for consolidation, having large technology companies contribute to infrastructure costs, and longer spectrum licenses.
European Parliament delegation at MWC25
The GSMA and the European Internet Forum again partnered to create a tailor-made programme for the Members of the European Parliament visiting MWC25. The high-level roundtable debate “Connect to Compete: Europe’s competitiveness starts with connectivity” convened the European Commission, MEPs, national regulatory authorities, and industry representatives to discuss Europe’s digital connectivity and competitiveness future.
Members of the European Parliament also visited MWC exhibition stands of mobile operators, including telecom vendors, and other industry players.
Exchanges with the Polish EU Presidency
Krzysztof Gawkowski, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs, joined the GSMA Ministerial Programme opening session. In his remarks, he underscored the importance of developing a robust European strategy to attract investments and foster innovation while remaining competitive in the global tech landscape. Ministerial pass holders can watch the session on demand.
The GSMA together with Polish EU Presidency also hosted EU Ministers roundtable aimed to discuss the future of Europe’s digital infrastructure and competitiveness and the importance of the strong, secure European telecommunications sector as the Polish Presidency prepares the Council Conclusions on connectivity.
European regulators visit MWC25
The GSMA welcomed European regulators at MWC25 and the Ministerial Programme. At the annual GSMA-BEREC Regulatory Roundtable BEREC delegates, led by Robert Mourik, BEREC Chair 2025, met with representatives of the European mobile operators to discuss the key issues facing connectivity in Europe. Participants shared views on two pivotal topics shaping Europe’s digital future: addressing connectivity challenges to deliver on 5G and beyond, and ensuring consistent consumer protection within the digital ecosystem.
An MWC25 exhibition tour was also organised for the BEREC delegation as part of their visit.
Highlights from the Ministerial Stage
Alongside global decision makers, European policy makers and regulators featured the GSMA Ministerial Programme agenda, including Óscar López Agueda, Spain’s Minister for Digital and Civil Service Transformation, Renate Nikolay, Deputy Director-General, DG CONNECT, European Commission, Minna Kivimäki, Permanent Secretary at Finland’s Ministry of Transport and Communications, Klaus Müller, President of the Bundesnetzagentur, Germany, John Edwards, Information Commissioner, United Kingdom and others. Ministerial pass holders can watch sessions on demand. Save the date, the Programme will be back next year 2-4 March 2026.
Latest GSMA reports launched at MWC25
Mobile Infrastructure Investment Landscape
See you at MWC Barcelona 2026
We hope you enjoyed your time in Barcelona. An enormous thank you to all attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and partners, plus everyone else who helped make it one of the best global tech and startup events of the year.
Join us at MWC Barcelona 2026, which will take place 2-5 March 2026, when we’ll be back, bigger and better than ever!