MWC25 Barcelona, one of the largest and most influential events in the connectivity world, attracted 109,000 attendees for a week filled with groundbreaking launches and important collaborations, focusing on advanced mobile technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
Overview of MWC25 Barcelona
Throughout the event, leading experts and thinkers discussed how technology is transforming society, business, and culture, exploring both the opportunities it presents and the challenges it creates.
John Hoffman, the CEO of GSMA Ltd. said; “MWC is where industries meet, and this year’s event showed just how fast technology is reshaping the world around us. From AI-powered networks to the future of smart mobility, the discussions this week in Barcelona will set the tone for the year ahead. What happens at MWC doesn’t stay at MWC, it sparks real change. I can’t wait to see where this momentum takes us next, particularly as we head to MWC25 Shanghai in June this year.”
Here’s a simpler version of the MWC25 Barcelona summary:
- 109,000 people attended from 205 countries and territories.
- More than 2,900 exhibitors, sponsors, and partners took part.
- Over 1,200 speakers shared their ideas, with 41% of them being women.
- The GSMA Ministerial Programme brought together 188 delegations from 148 countries, including 66 ministers and 111 heads of regulatory authorities.
- 4YFN featured over 1,000 startup exhibitors, nearly 380 speakers, and over 900 investors with a total of €60 billion in funds.
- 56% of attendees came from industries related to mobile technology.
- 21% of attendees were C-suite executives, and 50% were at director level or higher.
- 27% of attendees were women.
- Over 2,900 journalists and industry analysts from around the world attended.
- The keynotes and live sessions had nearly half a million views on the MWC website, app, Mobile World Live, and media partner platforms.
Talent Arena: Bridging Senior Professionals and Young Talent
Talent Arena, organized by Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCapital) alongside MWC25 at Fira Montjuïc, attracted over 20,000 attendees, with 53% being senior professionals and 47% students and young professionals.
Mats Granryd, the director general of GSMA said, “I’ve attended every MWC since the early days and, with this being my last as Director General, I am incredibly proud of how it has evolved. The industry is embarking on a new era, and I’m profoundly grateful to have played a small role. Each MWC builds on the last, and this year was truly groundbreaking. As I hand the baton to Vivek Badrinath, I know the GSMA is uniquely positioned in this increasingly complex world to bring together policymakers, startups, and businesses to fuel private-public discourse on the topics that matter. All against a backdrop of market-moving announcements and inspired first tech – it is truly undeniable.”
MWC25 Barcelona kicks off the GSMA’s global events for 2025, followed by MWC25 Doha (25-26 Nov 2025) and MWC25 Shanghai (18-20 June 2025). The GSMA M360 Series starts in Tashkent (21-22 May 2025) and Mexico City (28-29 May 2025). Keynotes will be available on-demand. MWC Barcelona returns 2-5 March 2026.
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