MWC Barcelona 2024: the insights beneath the surface
This report is available to those subscribed to the Mobile Operators and Networks, Digital Consumer, Fixed, TV and Convergence, IoT & Enterprise or Spectrum modules.
More than 101,000 people from 205 countries attended MWC Barcelona 2024. The show attracted over 2,700 exhibitors, including telecoms operators, vendors and firms from across the broader technology ecosystem. Almost 60% came from industries adjacent to telecoms, reflecting MWC’s evolution towards an event covering digital transformation in its broadest sense – with impacts for people, companies and economies.
This report highlights the key announcements and innovations that took centre stage. The GSMA Intelligence analyst team looks beneath the surface to identify what was unexpected, how developments relate to the big-picture trends and what it all means for the wider TMT industry. The analysis covers all the key themes from MWC24, including AI (the most pervasive topic), 5G innovations, digitisation of the enterprise, private wireless networks, open RAN, satellites and NTNs, and sustainability.
Related research
Global Mobile Forecasts, Q3 2025 Review: capturing the changes, discussing the drivers
GSMA Intelligence constantly monitors mobile markets across the world to capture the most recent trends and share the latest available data. This analysis looks at the key revisions made to the mobile connection forecasts over the previous quarter and the drivers underpinning the changes.
Open RAN as 2026 looms: performance continues to hold it back
As 2026 approaches, many operators remain committed to open RAN, but its status as a technology priority is nearing an all-time low. What has held back open RAN market development and how is the technology failing to meet operator needs?
The Mobile Economy Middle East and North Africa 2025
The mobile industry continues to play a significant role in digital transformation across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with advanced networks supporting new applications for consumers and businesses. The expansion of coverage and the transition to 4G and 5G are influencing technological development and economic growth, as reflected by the mobile sector’s contribution.
Authors
How to access this report
Annual subscription: Subscribe to our research modules for comprehensive access to more than 200 reports per year.
Enquire about subscriptionContact our research team
Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.
Contact our research teamMedia
To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.
Learn moreRelated research
Global Mobile Forecasts, Q3 2025 Review: capturing the changes, discussing the drivers
GSMA Intelligence constantly monitors mobile markets across the world to capture the most recent trends and share the latest available data. This analysis looks at the key revisions made to the mobile connection forecasts over the previous quarter and the drivers underpinning the changes.
Open RAN as 2026 looms: performance continues to hold it back
As 2026 approaches, many operators remain committed to open RAN, but its status as a technology priority is nearing an all-time low. What has held back open RAN market development and how is the technology failing to meet operator needs?
The Mobile Economy Middle East and North Africa 2025
The mobile industry continues to play a significant role in digital transformation across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with advanced networks supporting new applications for consumers and businesses. The expansion of coverage and the transition to 4G and 5G are influencing technological development and economic growth, as reflected by the mobile sector’s contribution.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics
