The 20th edition of the Mobile World Congress opened in Barcelona, drawing about 109,000 industry professionals and 60 government ministers. Organized by the GSMA, the event features over 2,900 exhibitors showcasing smartphones, telecom infrastructure, and connected technologies.
Major participants include Samsung, Huawei, Nokia, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Xiaomi, and Honor. Apple remains absent, preferring its own product launches.
Artificial intelligence is central to this year’s discussions, with a strong focus on “sovereign AI” and Europe’s digital independence. Telecom operators are highlighting their role in enabling generative AI through secure, high-speed data networks, while also expanding 5G and preparing infrastructure for 6G. Satellite connectivity is another key theme.
Global smartphone sales rebounded in 2025, reaching 1.2 billion units, up 1.9 percent year-on-year. Apple led the market with 19.7 percent share, followed closely by Samsung at 19.1 percent and Xiaomi at 13.1 percent, despite supply chain pressures and rising chip costs.
