The 12th Mobile World Congress (MWC) took place between 27 February and 3 March in Barcelona. Digital Wallonia was there, at the combined stand organised by AWEX in collaboration with Flanders Investment and Trade and Brussels Invest & Export.
A number of Walloon businesses from the digital sector specialising in mobile technology, networks, the IoT, etc. were at the Mobile World Congress 2017 under the Digital Wallonia banner.
The Mobile World Congress is the annual event for the mobile industry and associated sectors. Organised by the GSM Association (GSMA), MWC focuses on five fields:
- telecoms, IT,
- Internet of things (IoT),
- security,
- 5G & NFV,
- retail and digital commerce.
MWC attracts over 2,300 exhibitors, 12% of which are mobile phone operators, 208 countries and territories are represented and 3,500 delegates from the international press attend. Once again this year, the event broke all records in terms of visitor numbers, with 108,000 professionals attending, so an increase of 7% compared with 2016.
Four Years From Now (4YFN)
For the fourth year in a row, the Four Years From Now (4YFN) platform was organised at the Mobile World Congress. This is a unique opportunity for discussions and professional networking between innovative start-ups, investors and international business incubators. 4YFN was held from 27 February to 1 March.
Digital Wallonia Barcelona
As part of Digital Wallonia’s digital strategy, AWEX continues its work to raise the profile of and develop Wallonia’s digital industry on an international stage.
In practical terms, this ambition will be realised by creating a network of international Digital Wallonia hot spots. Barcelona and San Francisco have been chosen for the launch of the pilot phase of this programme.
At the Mobile World Congress, a meeting was organised between Walloon exhibitors and the representative from AWEX responsible for the International Digital Wallonia hot spot.
A guided tour of MWC and a networking event were also put on during the show by Digital Wallonia Barcelona.