Attendees from all industries come together to explore the latest advances in advanced connectivity, digital transformation and business mobility
March 3, 2025, Barcelona: MWC25 Barcelona, the largest and most influential connectivity event in the world, has opened its doors. MWC25 will prepare the stage to discuss a connected future that is expected to add almost $ 11 billion in economic value by 2030, highlighting key issues of the industry, including the 5G role in the acceleration of digital transformation and the growing convergence of AI, advanced connectivity and sustainability.
In its key opening, the general director of the GSMA, Mats Granryd, caught special attention to the need for the industry to complete the transition to independent 5G, boost new income models and take advantage of the potential of the AI and the open APIs of the link door, to guarantee growth. He also emphasized the urgency of ensuring future access to spectrum, as well as challenges and opportunities to close the global mobile use gap. With 3.1 billion people covered by mobile networks but not using mobile internet, close the use gap could unlock an economic opportunity of $ 3.5 billion.
In all the main speakers, sessions and peaks, MWC25 gathers an eclectic mixture of global leaders, visionaries and creators of changes to create the final confluence of ideas, technology and people.
Mats Granryd, general director of the GSMA said: “Our industry connects almost six billion people and the economies of powers worldwide. And, in the MWC, more than 50% of the attendees come from outside the mobile ecosystem, a clear sign that industries recognize the great opportunities that our networks create. This week will shed light on these opportunities, from 5g to AI and many more, and their role in helping us unlock new markets, promoting innovation and shaping the future of the global digital economy. Only in MWC you will find such an unique combination of exhibition, opinion leaders, new companies and policy formulators, creating a space where innovation flows and business is carried out. “
Mobile Economy Report 2025: Billion dollars in global growth and innovation
As the mobile leaders of industry and technology meet in Barcelona, the GSMA launched its annual mobile economy report 2025 that highlights the critical trends that shape the future of the mobile economy. Key findings include:
- Mobile technologies and services generated 5.8% of global GDP in 2024 (equivalent to $ 6.5 billion economic value).
- By 2030, this figure is expected to increase almost $ 11 billion, or 8.4% of GDP, as countries around the world benefit more and more of the improvements in productivity and efficiency caused by the greater collection of mobile services and digital technologies, including 5g, IoT and IA.
- The vertical sectors are expected to benefit: between 2024 and 2030, the main beneficiaries will include manufacturing (25%), food and food services (17%) and public administration (14%).
- 58% of the world population used mobile internet at the end of 2024, representing 4.7 billion users, a number is expected to increase 5.5 billion users (64%) by 2030.
- 5G connections worldwide exceeded two billion at the end of 2024 and will represent more than half (57%) of the total mobile connections in 2030, exceeding 4G adoption by 2028.
- The results of another GSMA report are expected to show that 5G Standalone boost 70% of the entire expansion of business income until 2030, which represents an opportunity of $ 127 billion. This can be accelerated by exposing new 5G capabilities through the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, using open network API. Some 72 groups of operators, which represent almost 80% of mobile connections worldwide, now participate in the initiative. Several automotive and aviation leading companies, including the 5G and Air Alliance Automotive Association, also announced their support today.
The MWC25 key notes will be broadcast live on the website and the MWC25 application, as well as in Mobile World Live. All this content, more selected conference sessions, will also be available at the request through the MWC website. MWC25 continues until March 6, 2025. Get the latest news and live information from the MWC25 press zone.
About GSMA
GSMA is a global organization that unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and offer fundamental innovation to positive business environments and social change. Our vision is to unlock all the power of connectivity so that people, industry and society prosper. Representing mobile operators and organizations throughout the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA offers its members in three broad pillars: connectivity for good, services and solutions of the industry, and scope. This activity includes the progress policy, addressing today's greatest social challenges, underpinning technology and interoperability that make mobile work and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem in the MWC and M360 events series.
We invite you to get more information at Gsma.com
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