On 3 March, the 17th edition of the “Mobile World Congress of Barcelona” (MWC 2022) concluded at the Fira Gran Via and Fira Montjuïc. It is the leading fair in the mobile telephony market, with an attendance of close to 100,000 professionals.
The Mobile World Congress is a great platform to present the latest advancements in wireless and mobile communications. The summit offers a unique opportunity for professionals, researchers and investors in the fields of wireless systems and mobile applications. Every year, the fair attracts the main companies of mobile telephony and internet from around the world. In addition, it hosts the Ministerial Program where long-term policies are discussed to, among other things, close connectivity and use gaps, meet global climate objectives as well as discussing how to create governance for the digital ecosystem.
This year’s theme, ‘Connectivity Unleashed’, showcases the power of mobile technology in everyday life and explores the innovative technologies that will shape industry and society. Connectivity is transforming industries as the world moves from simple connectivity to more meaningful connectivity.
Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, opened MWC22 in Barcelona and in the keynote, address said: “This edition of MWC offers a collective opportunity to show how the digital ecosystem transforms lives and supports global recovery through the power of mobile technology.”Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director of the ITU’s development bureau (ITU-D), addressed the issue of social inclusion where she stressed that although there are already many people living in areas with access to a mobile network, many remain disconnected, and that disproportionately the majority are rural women living in poor conditionswith little education. She also spoke about how to persist barriers such as a lack of knowledge and skill, affordability, safety and relevance.
The GSMA launched the Global Mobile Economy Report 2022 which highlights the critical role of the mobile sector in extending connectivity to all people around the world. Over the past decade, investment in network infrastructure by operators reduced the coverage gap of a third of the world’s population to just 6%, but much remains to be done.
In the opinion of Millicom, an operator that works in markets such as those in Latin America, there must be three essential factors: focusing on the network, taking into account the customer, and seeking convergence. Telefónica presented the Rural Manifesto for the closing of the rural gap where it proposes a model around three axis: commercial and business technological innovation, cooperation adding public-private efforts, and financial and social sustainability contributing to the development of communities.
A Round Table focusing on “The Need for a Digital and Connected Latin America” was also held, one of the most important spaces of the Mobile World Congress, where Latin American leaders addressed issues on spectrum policy, tax incentives, digital skills, access to connectivity, and the challenges of closing the rural digital divide.
The satellite sector was also present at the MWC as an important ally in the process of closing the digital divide in remote and difficult to access areas, but also for situations of emergence and early warning, services to support the tourism sector, connecting IoT sensors, satellite WiFi points, and agricultural and livestock control, among others.
Finally, all the booths and demos revealled the extraordinary opportunities that the next generations of connectivity and data technology bring. Companies like Ericsson and Qualcomm showed significant advances in 5G and WiF6 (WiF7) respectively. A presentation of new smartphones from companies like Nokia and Samsung showed similar advancements.
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