Thought leaders at MWC 2022. MWC Barcelona is the meeting place for the connectivity industry. (Picture: MWC Barcelona Press Photo/ GSMA Press Office)

Barcelona is gearing up for Mobile World Congress 2022, a much-anticipated mobile trade show (28 Feb to 3 Mar 2022) that is expected to showcase the latest and upcoming technological marvels in the mobile industry. Here’s how the fair is supposed to go:

Mobile World Congress will take place in Barcelona from 28 February to 3 March 2022. Tech giants and enthusiasts from around the world will gather there to showcase the latest milestones in mobile technology and innovation. MWC is a joint meeting place for global mobile operators, device manufacturers, technology providers, vendors and content owners, and is widely regarded as the biggest show in the mobile calendar.

In seven halls, the event will include 1500 exhibitors, 4YFN Barcelona (startup event of the world’s largest mobile industry trade show), the ministerial programme and much more. As a dynamic, progressive and multicultural city, Barcelona provides a backdrop for networking and the professional exchange of know-how.

Event highlights

Over the years, MWC has gained a reputation as an international trade show that attracts prominent representatives from across the mobile ecosystem. With registered attendees hailing from over 2,000 different companies and 155 countries, this tech show is an exciting environment for ideation, co-innovation and collaborative learning. The MWC 2022 will cover all topics relevant to the mobile economy and much more. The conference shall discuss the recent and future developments of 5G connectivity, advancements in Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Everything, the Cloudnet, Tech Horizon, Fintech and Startup Innovation in detail.

Speakers will outline what connectivity holds for the future of finance, healthcare, manufacturing, sustainability and other applications. Invaluable insights for businesses and newcomers to Industry 4.0 will be shared by panellists in interactive exchanges with their audience.

Speakers include Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated; Nick Read, CEO of Vodafone Group; Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO of Nokia; Allison Kirkby, President and CEO of Telia Company.

Monday 28.02.

  • Deloitte will give an overview of the 5G market in a free online session and present use cases from industry.
  • The Manufacturing Summit will also focus on 5G: Analytics and robotics with the integration of 5G in manufacturing will be addressed, followed by an explanation of the possibilities of private 5G networks (campus networks). Real-world use cases will also be used to show how 5G can be integrated into manufacturing processes and models, and the associated benefits and challenges.
  • The Green 5G Industry Roundtable will explore current trends and developments to increase energy efficiency.
  • Intelligence and automation will be addressed at the Wireless Intelligence Industrial Roundtable.

Tuesday 01.03.

  • The global race toward 6G has already begun.Building on the success of the 5G PPP, Europe recently launched a new strategic partnership (SNS JU). In the On the Road to 6G session, some of its thought leaders will outline the strategy and tools to enable the industry community to develop technological capabilities for 6G systems as the foundation for future digital services by 2030.
  • The sessionOpenRan: A vision of 5G & the future of 6G will explore the interoperability standards needed for OpenRAN and what solutions are available now and in the near future to aid the deployment of 5G and ensure the future of 6G.
  • At the Security Summit, security experts will discuss the key challenges in securing 5G services and how the industry can ensure 5G meets security expectations. In a later session, supply chain security for network equipment will be on the agenda.
  • On Tuesday, a session will look at current trends and developments to increase energy efficiency in 5G technology and its potential use in various industries.

Wednesday, March 2.

  • Open RAN is emerging as a critical way to increase choice and flexibility and meet new use cases. The Open Ran Summit will discuss the dynamics behind Open RAN, use cases, and how the industry is working together to accelerate Open RAN solutions.
  • GSMA’s flagship 5G IoT Summit, formerly known as the Mobile IoT Summit, gathers IoT industry experts for a conversation on megatrends, successes and opportunities for IoT in the 5G era.

Thursday, 03.03.

  • Is VoLTE roaming a requirement for 5G non-standalone roaming? Hear from industry leaders at WAS#15 and learn more about the barriers and opportunities in 5G roaming and network slicing.

Not on site in Barcelona?

Live and free of charge, Mobile World Live TV, the official broadcast partner of GSMA, will be streaming many of the events at MWC 2022. The agenda includes all keynotes, including Vodafone, China Mobile, AT&T, FC Barcelona, Huawei, AWS, Qualcomm, Nokia, Sotheby’s, the GLOMO Awards ceremony, show floor contributions , interviews with the industry’s top executives, influencers and changemakers. The full Mobile World Live TV broadcast program can be found here.