This week at MWC22 Barcelona will see many exciting announcements, including an automotive launch, with Fisker unveiling the new all-electric Ocean SUV. Monday’s list of speakers also features compelling keynotes from AT&T, China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Millicom, Telstra, Telefonica, Telia Company and Vodafone.
Opening MWC22 Barcelona with an opening speech, Mats Granryd, General manager of the GSMAsaid: “We are delighted to see the momentum returning to Barcelona this year as we come together, collaborate and do business. This edition of MWC provides a collective opportunity to showcase how the digital ecosystem is transforming lives and supporting global recovery through the power of mobile technology.”
This year’s theme, Connectivity Unleashed, showcases the power of mobile technology in our daily lives and explores the game-changing technologies that will shape industry and society. Connectivity is now smartly transforming industries as the world moves from simple connectivity to meaningful connectivity. With outstanding keynote speakers lined up, exciting product launches, the launch of the GSMA’s 2022 Global Mobile Economy Report and the industry’s all-new town.
“The doors are now open! Our attendees will discover over 1,500 exhibitors and have access to over 1,000 speakers, as well as entrepreneurs, rebels and people who do the extraordinary,” said John HoffmanCEO of GSMA Ltd.
For the first time at MWC, live Universal Sign Language (SLI) interpretation will be provided to all keynote addresses, Diversity4Tech sessions and the Mobile for Development (M4D) session “Reaching Underserved Population Segments” at 4YFN (Four Years From Now), the GSMA’s premier startup and innovation event. The SLI will be provided in person by partner DeafTawk. The interpretation was made possible by funding from DeafTawk secured from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the GSMA Innovation Fund for Assistive Technology.
2022 Global Mobile Economy Report confirms continued 5G momentum
Launched today, the annual report on the global mobile economy reveals continued momentum in 5G adoption, with the total number of 5G connections expected to reach 1 billion in 2022, as usage increases rapidly across pioneer markets.
The report highlights the instrumental role of the mobile industry in extending connectivity to people around the world. Over the past decade, operator investment in network infrastructure has reduced the coverage gap from one-third of the world’s population to just 6%, but there is still much to be done.
The adoption of mobile Internet services has not kept pace with the expansion of network coverage. Despite living within the footprint of a mobile broadband network, 3.2 billion people, or 41% of the world’s population, do not use mobile internet. The reasons for this usage gap vary by region and include lack of accessibility and skills. These barriers to mobile internet adoption impact the most vulnerable segments of the population, including women, older people, rural dwellers and people with disabilities.
Other key findings include:
- By the end of 2025, 5G will account for around a quarter of total mobile connections, and more than two out of five people worldwide will live within range of a 5G network.
- In 2021, mobile technologies and services generated $4.5 trillion of economic value, equivalent to 5% of global GDP. The report predicts that it will increase to 5 trillion dollars in 2025.
- As 5G adoption accelerates in key markets such as China, South Korea, and in the United States, 4G is beginning to decline. Globally, 4G adoption will account for 55% of total connections by 2025, up from a peak of 58% in 2021.
- But 4G still has room to grow in most developing markets. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, 4G adoption is less than one-fifth of total connections.
- 5.3 billion people subscribe to mobile services, or 67% of the world’s population, by the end of 2021.
- In a growing number of markets, most adults now own a mobile phone, meaning that future growth will come from younger populations taking out a mobile subscription for the first time.
The report also highlights the vital role mobile technology will play in accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ahead of the UN’s 2030 deadline. to education, health care and to fight poverty and inequality. In addition, the report presents a set of policy recommendations to achieve a resilient post-pandemic recovery. This involves investing in digital skills training, using public funds for connectivity, taking a balanced approach to raising revenue through taxes and levies in the mobile sector, and prioritizing digital transformation in government services.
The GSMA Ministerial Program is back
The GSMA Ministerial Program welcomes more than 160 international delegations to this year’s discussions in support of the SDGs and other critical issues. Senior politicians, regulators, industry leaders and government officials will discuss closing the digital divide, achieving global climate goals, shaping policies for a digital world and maximizing of the potential of 5G.
Accelerating industrial collaboration and 5G transformation
Industry City opened its doors for the first time. Co-hosted with Knowledge Partner, Accenture, the exhibition features demonstrations from the FinTech, Manufacturing and Automotive sectors. It also hosts a series of summits covering topics related to robotics and smart mobility.
Visitors to Industry City can also explore the GSMA Pavilion and the GSMA Foundry Forge, the premier location for cross-industry collaboration and positive change. At the GSMA Foundry, attendees can see demonstrations and learn about the latest projects, including an AI-powered autonomous drone flight broadcast live over a 5G network.
Addressing societal issues
Championing greater diversity in the tech industry, the Diversity4Tech Summit also kicked off today and features talks, panels, awards and a roundtable to accelerate transformation and inclusion – inspiring attendees to demonstrate leadership on the issue.
MWC22 Barcelona will again, for the seventh consecutive year, be a carbon neutral event – certified by AENOR International. Mobile was the first sector to commit to net zero by 2050, and GSMA’s commitment extends to MWC22 Barcelona.
Tomorrow’s program includes introductory sessions featuring Adam Selipski, CEO, Amazon Web Services; Shuky Sheffer, President and CEO, Amdocs; Hon. M/s. Jessica RosenworcelPresident, FCC; Guo PingRotating Chairman, Huawei; Dear WangPresident and CEO, HTC; Cristiano AmonPresident and CEO, Qualcomm; Pekka Lundmark, Chairman and CEO, Nokia; and Prem Akkaraju, CEO, Weta digital.
Register for MWC22 Barcelona here.
About the GSMA
The GSMA is a global organization uniting the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver fundamental innovations for positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unleash the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organizations in the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers to its members on three main pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This business includes advancing policy, solving today’s greatest societal challenges, supporting the technology and interoperability that powers mobile, and delivering the world’s largest platform. to bring the mobile ecosystem together during the MWC and M360 series of events.
We invite you to learn more at gsma.com.
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