MWC Barcelona 2023 Opens its Doors

MWC Barcelona 2023, the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event, opened its doors yesterday. Hosted by the GSMA, MWC Barcelona invites representatives from the global mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries to network, make deals, and learn about the future of connectivity.

“Put your explorer hat on and allow your imagination to run wild with all of the possibilities that lie ahead,“ said Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA in his welcoming keynote. “Whether you’re a mobile operator, a start-up, a large traffic originator, or a public sector body, there has never been a more exciting and rewarding time to be involved in this industry.“

During the opening, speakers from the industry and beyond reflected on the present and the future of communications. Among them was Thierry Breton, EC Commissioner for Internal Market who spoke about one of the hottest topics, who should fund the 5G rollout. Breton indicated he is taking an open-minded approach to the big issue of “fair share.“ In reference to a 12-week consultation launched by the European Commission last week, Breton emphasized that although it has been described by many as a battle over fair share between big telco and big tech, that is not how he sees things.

“Of course, we will need to find a financing model for the huge investment, fairly distributed. For me, the real challenge is to make sure that by 2030 our fellow citizens and business on our streets across the EU have access to fast, reliable, and data-intense Gigabit connectivity. And for that, we need the connectivity networks of the future.“ Breton also pointed out that, like industry, the regulation also has to adapt to the changing times.

“We rely on regulatory frameworks that were conceived on the basis of legacy technologies, relying on copper lines and physical network switches, and on forcing incumbents to abandon their copper networks. But what is at stake today is very different. We are not making the most of the potential of our EU single market.“ It is also time, he said, for a serious discussion about the possible existing obstacles to cross-border consolidation of electronic communications providers in the EU as well as the benefits of an integrated radio spectrum market. Ending on a positive note, Breton said Europe has excellence in research and innovation and is ready to lead the 6G race.