MWC26 Barcelona
Start: Monday 2 March 2026 09:00
End: Thursday 5 March 2026 18:00
Venue: Fira Gran Via
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Creating meaningful impact
For almost two decades, the Mobile for Development team has been devoted to unlocking the potential of digital and mobile innovation to address the inequalities of our world.
By producing actionable research, advocating for change, de-risking innovation and providing technical assistance, and by creating impactful partnerships between innovators, mobile operators, governments and donors, we are contributing to building a world where no one is left behind. Our collective work has already reached over 260 million lives – and counting.
Continuing to build on what we’ve done before, we will once again convene valued partners and stakeholders, share insights and discuss global topics including climate, financial and digital inclusion, digital utilities, digital health, digital public infrastructure (DPI), emerging technologies including AI, gender, humanitarian innovation and startup innovation. Detailed agenda below.
As we prepare for another impactful MWC Barcelona, we invite you to engage with our work, be part of the conversation, and explore opportunities to build meaningful partnerships. To register your interest to attend the event, please email us at m4devents@gsma.com.
Agenda
Day 1 | Monday, 2 March 2026
Monday, 10:30 – 11:45 CET
Mobile network operators (MNOs) can play a unique role in supporting digital transformation in the health sector, both including and beyond their traditional offer of connectivity. In recent years, the role of MNOs within the health sector has steadily grown, demonstrating the industry’s opportunity to be a vital partner to health systems and positively impact health outcomes across the globe.
Many MNOs across both high- and low-middle income contexts are achieving significant health impact by providing solutions beyond connectivity, from supporting the development of digital health infrastructure to enabling digital health products and services including telemedicine, e-prescriptions and digital health apps. This session will share highlights from global research exploring the diverse roles of MNOs in enabling and advancing digital health solutions across different countries and examine how operators are navigating the unique opportunities and challenges that the sector presents.
Session and speaker details here
Location
CC2, GSMA Insights Hub, Hall 2
Monday, 16:15 – 16:45 CET
When disaster strikes, mobile phones are more than communication tools; they become lifelines. Disaster warnings delivered via SMS, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and Cell Broadcast provide people with the critical information needed to protect themselves from natural hazards. This session explores mobile technology’s role in enhancing disaster resilience and early warning systems worldwide. Hear from operators deploying nationwide alerts, governments navigating system financing and regulation, and innovators improving alert speed and accuracy using digital technology. With many mobile alert systems now mandated by law, including across the EU, this conversation offers practical lessons for building resilient, inclusive systems.
Session and speaker details here
Location
Focus stage, Ministerial Programme
Monday, 09:00 – 18:00 CET
Visit the Mobile for Development team on the GSMA stand to find out more about amazing impact we have achieved with the support of our partners.
Day 2 | Tuesday, 3 March 2026
Tuesday, 08:30 – 10:30 CET
Location
Connectivity Lounge, Ministerial Programme
Tuesday, 10:45 – 11:30 CET
Access to affordable smartphones remains one of the top reported barriers to close the usage gap in low- and middle-income countries and requires a multi-stakeholder approach to address it. Today 3.1 billion people are being left out of the digital world. While progress has been made to lower the cost of devices and shape device financing strategies, persistent roadblocks prevent these initiatives from scaling.
Can we finally solve the affordability challenge to bring the benefits of broadband connectivity to all segments of the population?
Session and speaker details here
Location
CC5 Focus Stage, Upper Walkway
Tuesday, 12:00 – 12:30 CET
Interoperability can unlock scale but only if it’s done right. This session will present new econometric evidence comparing mobile money interoperability models, highlighting the benefits of market-led approaches.
Drawing on real-world illustrations where interoperability has been successfully implemented, it will examine commonly adopted policy-driven solutions and offer data-driven insights for policymakers, industry players, and other ecosystem stakeholders seeking to advance financial inclusion without undermining market efficiency.
Session and speaker details here
Location
CC5 Ministerial Stage, Upper Walkway
Tuesday, 09:00 – 18:00 CET
Visit the Connectivity for Good team on the GSMA stand to find out more about amazing impact we have achieved with the support of our partners.
Location
Hall 4
Day 3 | Wednesday, 4 March 2026
Wednesday, 10:00 – 10:45 CET
As countries scale digital public infrastructure (DPI) to drive inclusion, efficiency, and economic resilience, mobile network operators (MNOs) have become indispensable partners in delivering trusted, interoperable and population-wide systems.
This session brings together MNOs and global DPI leaders to explore how mobile capabilities are shaping the next generation of DPI systems and services. Speakers will unpack lessons from international deployments, emerging commercial models, and the governance safeguards needed to ensure DPI is open, rights-preserving and sustainable.
Session and speaker details here
Location
CC5 Focus Stage, Upper Walkway
Wednesday, 12:00 – 12:30 CET
Cities across Africa and South Asia are expanding at unprecedented speed. As urban populations surge, governments and city leaders face increasing pressure to deliver services that are not only affordable and inclusive, but also resilient to climate shocks. At the same time, cities themselves are evolving into digital organisms – with connectivity acting as the nervous system that keeps them functioning.
This session explores how mobile and digital infrastructure can underpin the cities of the future. From smart utilities and advanced metering to early-warning systems for floods and extreme weather alerts, we will examine how connectivity can enable more responsive, resilient and people-centred urban services.
Bringing together voices from government, mobile network operators and the innovation ecosystem, the discussion will focus on what it takes to turn connectivity into a true public good – particularly in low- and middle-income countries. What are the opportunities, the trade-offs and the policy choices that will shape digital cities in Africa, Asia and beyond?
Session and speaker details here
Location
CC5 Focus Stage, Upper Walkway
Wednesday, 13:30 – 14:00 CET
As mobile money matures, regulatory frameworks must evolve with it. This session will examine the regulatory barriers limiting ecosystem expansion and outline bold, actionable recommendations to help policymakers and industry players unlock the next phase of scale, innovation and inclusion.
Session and speaker details here
Location
CC5 Focus Stage, Upper Walkway
Wednesday, 09:00 – 18:00 CET
Visit the Connectivity for Good team on the GSMA stand to find out more about amazing impact we have achieved with the support of our partners.
Location
Hall 4
Day 4 | Thursday, 5 March 2026
Thursday, 09:00 – 18:00 CET
Visit the Connectivity for Good team on the GSMA stand to find out more about amazing impact we have achieved with the support of our partners.
Location
Hall 4
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