MWC 2024 Unveiled: Crucial Updates on 5G, AI, and Business Traveler Needs

Friday, February 16, 2024

Preview of MWC 2024: Essential Mobile Trends & Insights

As the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 in Barcelona approaches, excitement builds within the GSMA Intelligence team and throughout the mobile ecosystem. Professionals are in the final stages of preparing product launches, refining presentations, scheduling meetings, and eagerly anticipating the culinary delights of tapas and cava. However, instead of expecting groundbreaking announcements, attendees anticipate crucial updates on 5G, AI, particularly tailored for business and MICE travelers.

This year’s MWC is unlikely to showcase surprising revelations. The anticipated trends and innovations are already familiar to industry insiders, with the 2024 GLOMO shortlist already publicized, and plans for booths, demos, and product launches firmly in place. This perspective, rooted in the GSMA Intelligence team’s thorough analysis of market trends and our annual Global Trends report, offers depth and context to these well-understood trends, which we’ll present at MWC during a dedicated session in the Knowledge Zone.

Despite the absence of unexpected reveals, several key themes will be in focus at MWC 2024:

1. 5G Monetization: Strategies evolve to capitalize on 5G growth in both B2B and B2C sectors.
2. 5G-Advanced: Bridging towards 6G with forthcoming enhancements as 3GPP Release 18 nears completion.
3. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA): Showcasing 5G’s success, particularly in areas lacking fixed-line broadband.
4. Generative AI: Commercializing AI advancements to address ROI concerns and technological maturity.
5. Cloud vs. Edge Computing: Integrating both for optimal 5G leverage, moving beyond traditional dichotomies.
6. Entertainment Evolution: Shaping the future of entertainment through AI, gaming, and the metaverse.
7. Private Wireless Solutions: Diverse offerings meet industry-specific demands, signaling significant growth.
8. eSIM Expansion: Preparing for consumer adoption acceleration, expected from 2026 onwards.
9. New Satellite Constellations: Transitioning from trials to commercial launches, exploring satellite’s role.
10. Sustainability and Circular Economy: Growing importance of renewable energy and circularity in telecom.

MWC 2024 is anticipated to be a landmark event, drawing an expected 0.1 million travelers globally, a significant increase from the 88.5 thousand attendees in 2023. Over half of last year’s attendees were industry directors, influencers, and decision-makers, emphasizing the event’s global significance in shaping mobile technology’s future. With over 2,400 exhibitors from 200+ countries, MWC remains a premier platform for innovation and collaboration in the mobile ecosystem.

MWC 2024 serves as a vital hub for global decision-makers and influencers, fostering discussions and connections that steer the mobile industry’s trajectory. While unexpected trends may not be unveiled, the event provides a crucial forum for professionals to engage with evolving themes, sharing insights and strategies for navigating future challenges and opportunities.

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