The 20th edition of the Mobile World Congress, the world's largest mobile technology industry event, has begun in Barcelona. This year's trade fair focuses on the dominance of artificial intelligence, the development of 5G networks, and the pressing issue of Europe's technological sovereignty. Faced with growing competition from the US and China, European telecommunications giants and the European Commission have announced joint initiatives aimed at building their own digital foundations and protecting against quantum threats.

Europe's Digital Sovereignty

Launch of the 75-million-euro EURO-3C project and calls from industry leaders to build their own AI infrastructure independent of the USA.

20th Anniversary of MWC

Ceremonial inauguration by King Felipe VI and a summary of two decades of the fair's impact on Barcelona's digital economy.

Artificial Intelligence

Integration of AI in every aspect of technology, from smartphones with deep data access to Samsung's global supply chains.

Quantum Security

Presentation of Quantum Telco solutions by Telefónica, designed to protect networks from future cyber threats.

This year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona is particularly significant, celebrating two decades of its presence in the capital of Catalonia. The official opening was performed by King Felipe VI, underscoring the event's importance for the Spanish economy. Over two decades, the digital sector in the region has developed spectacularly, now accounting for nearly 25% of Catalonia's GDP. However, the dominant theme of the 2026 edition is not so much hardware, but the ubiquitous artificial intelligence that is becoming an integral part of every device—from smartphones to crisis management systems and industrial production lines. The main political-economic point of the fair has become a call to build the technological sovereignty of the Old Continent. Marc Murtra, President of Telefónica, warned against „naivety” in relying solely on AI technologies from the United States. In response to these challenges, the European Commission, together with a group of telecoms, launched the 75-million-euro EURO-3C project. It aims to create a common digital platform that will make Europe independent of external suppliers and strengthen data security in the post-quantum era. Furthermore, Quantum Telco systems were presented, designed to protect infrastructure from future quantum computer attacks. Since the publication of the EU digital strategy in 2020, Europe has been striving to achieve so-called technological sovereignty to reduce dependence on American operating systems and Chinese network equipment.On the hardware side, attention is drawn to robots, smart glasses, and autonomous vehicles. Samsung declared full integration of AI in its global production chains by 2030, and Polish companies are actively showcasing their innovations in the Talent Arena section. Simultaneously, the industry is grappling with economic challenges, such as the forecasted increase in memory prices, which may affect the final cost of devices for consumers. The fair is also a platform for startups, where the Catalan medical technology sector is particularly strongly represented in the 4YFN section, showcasing nearly one hundred innovative projects. „Es ingenuo contar con la IA de EEUU a largo plazo: todo se usa como un arma” — Marc Murtra

Mentioned People

  • Filip VI — King of Spain, who performed the official opening of the 20th edition of the fair.
  • Marc Murtra — President of Telefónica, advocating for European technological sovereignty.
  • Teresa Ribera — Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and Minister for Ecological Transition.