BARCELONA — The GSMA officially announced Wednesday afternoon the cancellation of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, scheduled for February 24-27, due to global concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.
Right up until the GSMA’s announcement, the list of companies who had said they would not attend the world’s biggest wireless show of the year was still growing. Vendors who had announced their non-participation in the event by Wednesday morning included Nokia, Ericsson, Sony, LG, Cisco and many others.
In its statement posted on the MWC 2020 website, the GSMA said:
“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 statement goes on to say that the GSMA and the host city parties will continue to work together for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions.
“Our sympathies at this time are with those affected in China, and all around the world,” the statement adds.
Further updates from the GSMA can be found on www.mwcbarcelona.com.
