{"id":21133,"date":"2024-02-26T12:05:01","date_gmt":"2024-02-26T12:05:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/newsroom\/?p=21133"},"modified":"2025-11-13T13:26:42","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T13:26:42","slug":"gsma-mwc-barcelona-brings-industries-together-for-four-days-of-discussion-and-debate-on-the-future-of-connectivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/newsroom\/press-release\/gsma-mwc-barcelona-brings-industries-together-for-four-days-of-discussion-and-debate-on-the-future-of-connectivity\/","title":{"rendered":"GSMA MWC Barcelona Brings Industries Together for Four Days of Discussion and Debate on the Future of Connectivity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MWC Barcelona 2024 welcomes the most iconic names in connectivity for nine keynote sessions; event features include 4YFN, Connected Industries, Journey to the Future, GSMA Foundry and the GSMA Ministerial Programme<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

26 February 2024, Barcelona<\/strong>: GSMA MWC Barcelona 2024 returned to the Fira de Barcelona today, marking the beginning of the world\u2019s largest and most influential connectivity event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hosted by the GSMA, MWC Barcelona convenes leaders from the global mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries for four days of networking, driving new business and delving into the latest trends shaping the future of connectivity.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, said, \u201cIt is fantastic to be here with you today at the opening of MWC in beautiful Barcelona! With over half of our attendees coming from beyond the core mobile ecosystem, MWC no longer represents just one industry. As connectivity brings us together, technology opens possibilities – with connectivity driving a fusion of technology and purpose across all sectors, enabling new possibilities. This week is all about exploring the future\u2019s potential for businesses and society.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industry leaders and innovators on the MWC Main Stage<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MWC Barcelona welcomes some of the most respected names in connectivity as keynote speakers<\/a>, representing leading figures from business, government, academia, and non-government organisations.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the sessions taking place at the MWC Main Stage on Day 1 is an exclusive gathering of the CEOs at Europe\u2019s largest mobile operators \u2013 Tim H\u00f6ttges, CEO of Deutsche Telekom; Christel Heydemann, CEO of Orange; Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda \u00c1lvarez-Pallete, Chairman & CEO of Telef\u00f3nica; and Margherita Della Valle, Group CEO of Vodafone Group \u2013 from 4:30-5:00pm CET.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The keynote will explore the state of the mobile industry in Europe, the need for policy change to support infrastructure investments, the transition to green energy, and the importance of fostering industry-wide collaborations such as the GSMA Open Gateway.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda \u00c1lvarez-Pallete, Chairman of the GSMA Board and Chairman & CEO of Telef\u00f3nica, said, \u201cIn April this year, we celebrate 100 years that Telef\u00f3nica has been bringing people closer through the power of connectivity. As Telef\u00f3nica has changed with the times, so too has our industry which now benefits every business and individual on the planet. At MWC Barcelona 2024, you will see how collaboration and connected innovations are driving positive societal change that will help us realise the future\u2019s potential over the next 100 years.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GSMA Open Gateway: Unlocking the potential of 5G <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GSMA outlined the progress the industry and its partners are making in unlocking the full potential of 5G and commercialising network APIs through the GSMA Open Gateway<\/a> initiative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unveiled at MWC Barcelona 2023, the Open Gateway is designed to accelerate the growth of digital services and apps by providing developers with universal access to operator networks. Over the last 12 months, 47 mobile operator groups \u2013 representing 239 mobile networks and 65% of global connections \u2013 have now signed up to the initiative.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working with technology partners including AWS, Infobip, Microsoft, Nokia and Vonage, a total of 94 APIs are now commercially available to enterprise developers in 21 markets across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purposes for which APIs have recently been brought to market include fraud prevention and identity verification.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile Economy Report 2024<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To mark the opening of MWC Barcelona, the GSMA launched its annual Mobile Economy Report<\/a>. It spotlights the latest trends shaping the global mobile ecosystem and recommends areas of investment to help the industry expand mobile access and improve service quality. Key findings include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n