GSMA chief predicts strong MWC22

INTERVIEW: GSMA director general Mats Granryd predicted MWC Barcelona 2022 will be close to the level of editions held prior to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, as he highlighted convergence, fintech and climate issues as key themes for the show.

Speaking to Mobile World Live, Granryd said he anticipated the event would be “not pre-pandemic, but not far from” with 1,500 exhibitors and 1,000 speakers across the various stages and sessions.

The vast majority of speakers are expected to attend in-person.

Granryd added it was “critically important for us to show responsible leadership and show the world the industry comes together on a regular basis to discuss how best to continue to deliver services that are life-critical to each and every one of us”.

In terms of central keynote topics, Granryd pointed to anticipated discussions on convergence in traditional connectivity and also between the physical and virtual planes, along with fintech, climate issues and security.