From 22-25 February, executives and policymakers gathered in Barcelona for the Mobile World Congress to debate and shape the future of the mobile industry. More than 100,000 visitors, of which 55 percent were C-Level executives, attended the event, making this year’s edition of the Mobile World Congress the biggest show in its history. There was also a record attendance at the Ministerial Programme. As well as 12 keynote and 48 in-depth track sessions, visitors to the Congress were treated to the launch of new flagship devices from innovative companies, such as LG, Samsung, Huawei and many others, while the GSMA’s Innovation City showcased the impact of mobile-connected products and services on consumers and businesses.
GSMA Europe helped facilitate a major programme for high-level visitors from the EU Institutions. Five roundtables involving Commission representatives, MEPs and regulators, in which Vice-President Ansip and Commissioner Oettinger engaged in discussions with 12 telecoms CEOs, were among the highlights of this programme.
Commissioner Oettinger and the GSMA co-hosted the Connected & Automated Driving roundtable, in which more than 40 executives, including CEOs, stakeholders from the telecoms and automotive sectors, the Commission, and the European Investment Bank participated. GSMA Director General Mats Granryd introduced the event, with GSMA Vice-President Europe Afke Schaart also participating.
At the GSMA-EIF Internet of Things roundtable, Ms. Schaart gave the introductory speech to nine visiting MEPs and senior officials, including DG Connect Director General Roberto Viola. Mr. Viola then took center-stage himself for the World Economic Forum roundtable on Mastering Policy in the Digital Economy, which built on discussions in Davos. Finally, 32 national telecoms regulators participated in a very positive roundtable exchange with senior members of GSMA Europe.
The nine-strong EIF MEP delegation attended a guided tour of the Congress featuring a visit to the Pavilion of the European Commission where the Commission held several events and activities. The delegation then headed to the App Planet, as well as the exhibition area and the GSMA Innovation City. The MEPs had the opportunity to become familiar with the latest technological developments through guided visits to several stands including those of Orange, Nokia, Ericsson and Huawei. Moreover, MEP Pillar del Castillo spoke at the GSMA session on 5G: Creating Value for Consumers.
The Congress also staged the launch of the Commission’s 5G Public Private Partnership Action Plan, which the GSMA is proud to support, by Commissioner Oettinger. He also delivered a keynote in the GSMA-organised session 5G: Creating Value for Industry Verticals. Furthermore, with Brazil’s Minister for Communications, Mr. André Figueiredo, Commissioner Oettinger also signed a joint declaration on 5G between the EU and Brazil building on a previous cooperation with Brazil in the field of ICT and mobile technology.
Roberto Viola also spoke at the Ministerial Programme session on Framework review- Regulatory Modernisation in Europe and Paul Timmers, Director of the Sustainable & Secure Society Directorate in DG CNECT, participated in a session on Opportunities and Challenges presented by the growing adoption of mobile identity solutions.
Mats Granryd attended private bilateral meetings with both Vice-President Ansip and Commissioner Oettinger, while Vice-President Ansip met with the Chair of the US Federal Communications Commission, Tom Wheeler, and Facebook Founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. Vice-President Ansip also gave a keynote address to the prestigious Mobile World Summit, on the topic of Mobile as the Foundation for Digital Identity. Last, but not least, the Commission officials, including Vice-President Ansip, joined specially arranged tours of the GSMA’s Innovation City.
On the 6 April, GSMA Europe is hosting the Taste of Mobile World Congress 2016, an event led by Afke Schaart, GSMA Vice-President Europe, and moderated by Philippe Defraigne, Director at Cullen International, at its Brussels offices. The event will draw on the insights of EU institutional representatives and industry experts who attended this year’s Congress.