Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2020 has been canceled amid concerns about the coronavirus, the conference organizers have confirmed.
John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA, stated:
"With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event.
The Host City Parties respect and understand this decision.
The GSMA and the Host City Parties will continue to be working in unison and supporting each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions.
Our sympathies at this time are with those affected in China, and all around the world.
The coronavirus, which emerged from China, has killed at least 1,100 people and infected more than 45,000 people as of February 12, 2020. On the business front, the coronavirus has also impacted technology supply chains and conference planning worldwide.
MWC 2020, which was scheduled for February 24-27 in Barcelona, Spain, has been in the spotlight amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Most of the cases and deaths have occurred in China, but numerous technology firms are worried about the outbreak's potential to spread.
The following companies canceled their MWC 2020 participation before this year's show was canceled:
- Amazon
- AT&T
- Cisco Systems
- Deutsche Telekom
- Ericsson
- Infinera
- Intel
- LG Electronics
- McAfee
- Nokia
- Nvidia
- Sony
- STMicroelectronics
- Sprint
Meanwhile, RSA Conference 2020 -- a massive cybersecurity event -- is scheduled for February 24-28 in San Francisco. That show also is taking precautionary measures to minimize any potential coronavirus-related risks.
