GSMA to Host Historic MWC2021 in Barcelona with Strong Safety Measures and Local Support
John Hoffman, CEO of the GSMA, announced that Mobile World Congress 2021 (MWC21) will return as an in-person event in Barcelona next month—marking one of the first major global gatherings since the onset of the pandemic. The event is expected to welcome between 35,000 and 50,000 attendees on-site, with over 300 exhibitors participating physically and another 300–400 startups at the co-located 4YFN showcase. Thousands more will join virtually from around the world.
Speaking at a joint press conference with GSMA Director General Mats Granryd, Hoffman emphasized the historic significance of the reunion: “It’s historic to be back, historic how many people will participate—back together to do business.”
In a gesture of solidarity with the host city, the GSMA also pledged to donate €300,000 to Barcelona’s local Covid-19 recovery efforts. Additionally, the organization launched an initiative to invite 30,000 professionals from 11 key sectors—including banking, transportation, education, and manufacturing—to attend MWC21 at a symbolic ticket price of €21 each, further supporting economic reactivation.
About Health and Safety Protocols
“Safety is ground zero,” stated Granryd, underscoring that attendee well-being is the top priority. Rather than mandating vaccines—due to uneven global rollout—the GSMA has implemented a comprehensive safety framework including:
- Mandatory face masks
- Enhanced venue ventilation
- Regular Covid-19 testing for all participants
- Strict social distancing measures
- A fully touchless event experience (digital badges, contactless interactions)
The event will feature 600 speakers across the week, with 70% attending in person—including over 300 at director level or higher—highlighting strong industry engagement despite ongoing challenges.
Regarding recent announcements by major players like Ericsson and Nokia opting out, Granryd remained optimistic: “We cannot say anything. There are plenty of cool, forward-leaning companies that are attending.”
About IPLOOK at MWC21
Despite the pandemic, IPLOOK Technologies remains committed to innovation and global collaboration. We hope everyone stays safe and healthy—and we’re excited to announce that IPLOOK will be exhibiting at MWC21!
Visit us at Hall 2, Stand 2L60 to explore our latest cloud-native 3G/4G/5G core network solutions for MNOs, MVNOs, and private networks.
Want to schedule a meeting or learn more about our products?
Don’t hesitate to contact us in advance—we look forward to connecting with you in Barcelona!
