The organizers of the world’s largest mobile technology show, Mobile World Congress, have decided to prohibit a small number of Russian companies from displaying their mobile products.
According to Reuters, the GSMA has decided not to allow the Russian Pavilion to display any mobile technology following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement to Reuters, GSMA CEO John Hoffman confirmed that the Barcelona-based event will not be rescheduled or cancelled. The executive also stated, “it’s an evolving situation … [they] will continue to monitor.”
Furthermore, Hoffman also stated, “As we see the situation today, we don’t see any need or requirement to do that. Of course, it’s an evolving situation and we will continue to monitor it … We are guided by the international sanctions and some companies are identified on the sanction list and those will be barred from participating.”
The CEO also stated that only “a few” Russian companies, as well as their executives, have been barred from attending the event, the names and titles of which have yet to be revealed.
Companies with long-standing ties to Russia, such as VimpelCom, can still participate in the event by paying the “association for dedicated show flow space.”
Constanti Serrallonga, General Manager of Fira de Barcelona (the MWC venue), commented, “We are expecting to see an edition that will almost look like a pre-pandemic event.”
If everything goes as planned, the MWC, which will be held in Barcelona from February 28th to March 3rd, will have between 40,000 and 60,000 participants, making it the largest in-person event since the outbreak began.
To read our blog on “Brand new exhibit features interactive demonstrations, live stage and innovation projects at MWC22,” click here.
