MWC25 Shanghai Kicks-Off

GSMA MWC25 Shanghai officially opened yesterday. The three-day event brings together around 400 speakers and thought leaders for a dynamic program of keynotes, conference tracks, and showcases at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). This year’s conference agenda is focused on 5G Inside, AI+, Connected Industries, and Connected Enablers themes.

“China is the home to the world’s largest 5G market and at the forefront of AI and open API development, backed by strong collaboration across operators and developers. MWC Shanghai continues to be a powerful platform for showcasing how these technologies are reshaping industries and driving broad-based, sustainable growth,” said Vivek Badrinath, Director General of GSMA.

“We are excited to return to MWC Shanghai for one of our most vibrant editions. From robotaxis and humanoid robots to AI smartphones and autonomous mobility, the innovations on display highlight the incredible pace of change set by Asia’s digital and mobile industries. We warmly welcome everyone to experience the show and discover how connectivity is empowering people, industries, and societies to succeed,” said John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA.

MWC25 Shanghai hosted the GSMA Open Gateway Summit, bringing together operators, developers, and enterprises to explore the commercialization of network APIs. Global mobile operator groups participating in the GSMA Open Gateway initiative represent almost 80% of global mobile connections. The summit’s sessions explore monetization strategies, GenAI integration, and real-world deployments, underlining the growing role of APIs in shaping industries worldwide.

The GSMA Foundry, the go-to hub for cross-industry collaboration and business development, is hosting a series of innovation showcases at MWC25 Shanghai. New for this year are the GSMA Innovation Frontier Zone and the GSMA Policy Leaders Forum. The event is also hosting the 2025 World Robot Contest Qualifier and IOTE. Alongside these features, MWC will see the return of 4YFN with fresh new energy, as well as the Future Tech Hall, GSMA Summits, and GSMA Digital Leaders Program.