Exploring MWC 2024: What Business and MICE Travelers Need to Know?

 Friday, February 16, 2024 

MWC 2024 preview: Key mobile trends & insights. No big reveals expected, but crucial updates on 5G, AI, for business and MICE travelers.

As the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 in Barcelona draws near, the anticipation within the GSMA Intelligence team and across the mobile ecosystem is palpable. Professionals are engrossed in finalizing product launches, perfecting presentations, arranging meetings, and looking forward to the culinary delights of tapas and cava. For those immersed in preparations, the event promises to be a culmination of ongoing efforts rather than a venue for unexpected revelations.

This year’s MWC is unlikely to be a stage for surprising reveals. The trends and innovations set to dominate discussions are already familiar to industry insiders. The 2024 GLOMO shortlist is public, and plans for booths, demos, and product launches have been long established. This perspective, while seemingly privileged, is born from the GSMA Intelligence team’s dedication to analyzing market trends and compiling our annual Global Trends report. This report, which we will launch at MWC during a dedicated session in the Knowledge Zone, aims to provide depth and context to these well-understood trends.

Despite the absence of surprise reveals, there are key themes to watch at MWC 2024:

1. 5G Next: The Monetization Story – As 5G continues its rapid expansion, the focus shifts to monetizing this growth in both B2B and B2C segments, with strategies still evolving.
2. 5G Next: The 5G-Advanced Story – With 3GPP Release 18 specifications nearing completion, 5G-Advanced is poised to bridge the gap to 6G, promising enhancements that have been eagerly anticipated.
3. FWA: 5G’s Breakout Use Case – Fixed Wireless Access has emerged as a key success story for 5G monetization, especially in markets lacking fixed-line broadband infrastructure.
4. Gen AI Revolution – After a year of mainstream recognition, Generative AI is set for commercialization, addressing key concerns around return on investment and technological maturity.
5. Cloud vs. Edge – The integration of cloud and edge computing is crucial for leveraging 5G’s full potential, moving beyond the false dichotomy towards a synergistic approach.
6. The Future of Entertainment – The evolving landscape of entertainment, influenced by AI, gaming, and the metaverse, continues to be shaped by the mobile ecosystem.
7. Private Wireless: Choose Your Own Adventure – The diversity in 5G private wireless solutions highlights the varied demands across industries, indicating a year of significant growth in customer traction.
8. eSim: Acceleration and Simplification – With eSIM services expanding rapidly, 2024 will be pivotal in preparing for consumer adoption expected to accelerate from 2026.
9. NTNs and the Satellite Inflection Point – The transition from trials to commercial launches of new LEO constellations in 2024 will address critical questions about the role of satellite in the mobile ecosystem.
10. Sustainability and Circularity – The conversation around sustainability has expanded to include circularity and the use of renewables, reflecting its growing importance in the telecommunications sector.

MWC 2024 is set to be a landmark event, with an expected attendance of 0.1 million travelers globally. This marks a significant increase from the 88.5 thousand business and MICE travelers and enthusiasts who visited in 2023. Remarkably, more than 50% of last year’s attendees were directors, influencers, and decision-makers from various industries, underscoring the event’s role as a global nexus for shaping the future of mobile technology. Moreover, the event featured over 2,400 exhibitors from more than 200+ countries and provinces worldwide, highlighting its status as a premier platform for innovation and collaboration in the mobile ecosystem.

MWC 2024 serves as a global nexus for decision-makers and influencers from around the world, facilitating connections and discussions that shape the future of the mobile industry. While the event may not unveil unexpected trends, it offers a valuable platform for industry professionals to engage with these evolving themes, sharing insights and strategies for navigating the challenges and opportunities ahead.

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