Mobile World Congress 2021

Mobile World Congress (MWC) is world’s biggest mobile event of the 2021. It started on June 28 in Barcelona.

Key Points

• It is one of biggest trade shows which is being organised in hybrid form amid the covid-19 pandemic.
• This annual telecom industry gathering is synonymous to some big announcements across the past.
• Event is being attended by brands like Nokia, Goggle, Facebook, Xiaomi, and Sony this year.

What is Mobile World Congress?

Mobile World Congress or MWC Barcelona is an annual event focused on innovations in telecom industry. It is being hosted by GSMA. This event is attended by major telecom operators, component manufacturers, smartphone companies, trade insiders, media, and representatives from telecom ministries across the world.

Covid-19 in Spain

Spain has eased COVID-19 restrictions on June 26, 2021 and scrapped a requirement to wear face masks outdoors. However, Masks is mandatory indoors in public places and on public transport.

Background

Barcelona is being hosting MWC since 2006. MWC 2021 was originally scheduled for March 2021 but it was postponed due to covid-19 pandemic. This year, MWC is being conducted from June 28 to July 1. This event was cancelled altogether in 2020. Cancellation led to major economic blow in the city with lost revenue for hotels, restaurants and taxi companies because this event costs 473 million euros and about 14,000 part-time jobs for locals.

GSM Association (GSMA)

GAMA is also called as Global System for Mobile Communications. It is an industry organisation representing the interests of mobile network operators across the world. About 750 mobile operators are full GSMA members while 400 companies are associate members. GSMA represents its members through industry programmes, working groups and industry advocacy initiatives. Mats Granryd is the present Director General of GSMA.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2021