GSMA cancels Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2020 due to Coronavirus

GSM Association, the industry organisation that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide, has cancelled its annual event – the 2020 edition of Mobile World Congress Barcelona because of the Coronavirus outbreak. The event was scheduled to run between February 24th and 27th

The GSMA officially made this announcement yesterday after several companies such as Vodafone Group, Amazon, Sony, LG, e.t.c said they wouldn’t be at the event.

This is the first time the event would be cancelled since it started in 2006.

Here is the official statement from John Hoffman, CEO GSMA Limited:

Since the first edition of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in 2006, the GSMA has convened the industry, governments, ministers, policymakers, operators and industry leaders across the broader ecosystem.

With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event.

The Host City Parties respect and understand this decision.

The GSMA and the Host City Parties will continue to be working in unison and supporting each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions.

Our sympathies at this time are with those affected in China, and all around the world.

Further updates from the GSMA, are on our website and can be found on www.mwcbarcelona.com.