Mobile World Congress 2020 Is Now Cancelled: GSMA

• GSM Association cancels Mobile World Congress 2020
• The reason behind cancelling the event is Coronavirus
• This year’s MWC would have seen a lot of brands launching 5G phones globally

As expected, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2020 has been cancelled over growing Coronavirus concerns. GSM Association (GSMA), which conducts the show every year, has confirmed the news officially. Over the last few weeks, we have seen brands withdrawing their participation from the world’s largest phone show over the deadly Coronavirus fears. And GSMA has cancelled the show entirely saying it will be ‘impossible’ to hold the event.

The GSMA is an industry trade body that represents more than 1,200 companies across the mobile ecosystem, and MWC is the chance for thousands to gather for partnerships, deals, and product launches. MWC is usually held annually in Barcelona, and it has a big economic impact of 492 million euros, and also generates 14,100 part-time jobs.

Coronavirus infections have exceeded 42,000 with the total number of deaths at more than 1,000. Most infections and deaths have been reported in Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei Province in China, but at least 25 countries have now reported cases. The GSMA had tried to allay fears with increased disinfection measures on-site, recommending attendees don’t shake hands and even ban on visitors travelling from the province in China where coronavirus was first discovered.

MWC 2020 was set to feature a big Chinese phone maker presence, with all of the country’s major smartphone brands set to appear at the show. LG pulled out of MWC earlier this month, and ZTE cancelled a planned press event over coronavirus fears. Ericsson, one of the largest exhibitors at MWC, also withdrew from the show, before Nvidia, Intel, Vivo, Sony, Amazon, and NTT Docomo all followed and cancelled appearances. Cisco, Nokia, BT, and HMD also cancelled appearances this week.