MWC26 Barcelona, the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event, is set to return to the lively halls of Gran Vía in Fira de Barcelona from March 2-5. The week-long gathering brings together world leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore the future of mobile and digital transformation and witness how advanced connectivity is being deployed across real-world environments.
Thought leadership defines the conversation throughout MWC through a keynote stage and conference program shaped by the most influential voices in technology, business, and society. CEOs and leaders from across the global mobile and technology ecosystem and a wide range of other sectors will take to the MWC stage to deliver keynote speeches including:
AT&T CEO John Stankey
Joanna Fairies, President of Blizzard
Alison Kirkby, BT Group CEO
Karandeep Anand, CEO of Character.AI
Mr. He Biao, CEO of China Mobile
Tim Hetges, CEO of Deutsche Telekom
Kaiwei Tang, CEO and Co-Founder of Light
Kate Johnson, Lumen President and CEO
Nokia CEO Justin Hotard
NTT Corporation Representative Director and President Akira Shimada
Tom Hale, CEO and Director of OURA
Orange Group CEO Christel Heidemann
Cristiano R. Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm
Roberto Daniel Nobile, CEO of Telecom Argentina
Alex Blania, CEO and Co-Founder of Tools for Humanity
Margherita della Valle, CEO of Vodafone
Aaron Paul, actor, producer, and entrepreneur
New exhibitors include Adobe, Cohere, NSCALE, Siemens, and Toshiba, and will also debut Meta’s immersive Meta Lab, where attendees can experience the latest innovations in wearable AI technology.
GSMA Ltd. CEO John Hoffman said: “As March approaches, we are excited to see the industry once again converge on Barcelona for what promises to be another exciting MWC, the 20th in Barcelona. From the airport of the future to the new frontier. There are lots of exciting new elements to explore this year, including the Zone. These exhibits, experiences and on-site technologies truly capture the core purpose of MWC Barcelona: real-world innovation that shows how we will live in the future.” It is being deployed, tested, and expanded to improve our lives in meaningful ways. ”
The first-ever “Airport of the Future” experience brings major aviation innovation directly to the MWC venue. Built around real-world use cases and operational environments, this dynamic, immersive exhibit features a live, authentic Motional Digital Twin powered by Outsight. This is the first time this technology has been introduced to a technology event in a live, real-world environment. Attendees will use the exhibit area as a testbed to see how airports can anonymously track passenger movements, manage queues, optimize asset use and improve operational performance, all in real time.
Other confirmed demos include AENA’s digital baggage tagging and pet travel passports at check-in. Connected aircraft experiences from Airbus allow visitors to personalize their onboard experience. Neutral Wireless’ 5G Connected Aircraft Showcase also demonstrates low-latency live video streaming for broadcast.
These showcases will be joined by confirmed exhibitors Agibot, Alba Robot, ANYbotics, Mossos d’Esquadra, Vueling, and WaltR, with more exhibitors and exciting live demos from the inaugural “Airport of the Future” yet to be revealed.
Another debut this year, New Frontiers, is a forward-looking, immersive showcase that explores the outer limits of innovation. Featuring around 20 exhibitors from around the world, many making their MWC debut, the show brings together mind-expanding ideas poised to have a major impact on connectivity, industry and society.In addition to those already announced, the show will feature quantum leaders such as Global Data Quantum and Quantum Flagship, technology, satellite and NTN pioneers such as the European Space Agency, Eutelsat and Viasat, and Magiclab. Includes embodied AI readers like Robotics.
of GSMA Pavilion The experience, which includes an immersive simulator featuring the speed and precision of Formula E, will showcase the power of networks and cross-industry collaboration. NUHS is collaborating with Ericsson and Singtel to introduce the future of patient care powered by AI and 5G, from intelligent robot nurses to holographic surgical planning. Elmo’s remote driving service will be back, allowing attendees to take control of their cars from the MWC show floor and drive them around the Circuit de Catalunya. Capgemini will showcase a smart factory equipped with a vision-guided robotic arm in action, while Infobip will ask participants to build and lead a team of AI agents to stop bank fraud.
MWC’s iconic startup and innovation zone 4YFN will once again run alongside the event, with a jam-packed program of speakers and exhibitors focused on world-changing startups, once again held at the dedicated north entrance.
Further updates on speakers, exhibitor announcements and program highlights will be shared in the MWC Barcelona Press Zone. Registration is now open and media members are invited to apply for a free press pass.
Editor’s note (January 30): Previously confirmed speakers Loveable and Harvey will no longer be attending MWC26.
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About GSMA
GSMA is a global organization that unites the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovations that are fundamental to positive business environments and social change. Our vision is to unleash the power of connectivity to help people, industries and societies thrive. GSMA represents mobile operators and organizations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, delivering to its members three key pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This work includes advancing policy, addressing today’s biggest societal challenges, providing the technology and interoperability foundations that enable mobile capabilities, and providing the world’s largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at MWC and M360 Series events. For more information, please visit gsma.com.
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