MWC Barcelona 2020: The hot topics

This time last year, only a handful of operators had 5G technology live, so discussion was heavily based on trials and the progress of these early deployments.

Now, a year later, attention in many countries has turned from launches to cost-efficient network expansion and the ever-growing list of business opportunities enabled by the technology.

For those yet to hit the button on 5G or still mulling the direction to take with the technology, there is a wealth of experience available from fellow attendees and in the many panels with a technical or business slant.

Advice on network rollouts will be available across the event and attendees can expect to see multiple demonstrations of technologies and strategies designed to allow rapid network expansion and aid the move to standalone versions of the technology.

There will also be a multitude of demonstrations of consumer, industrial and civic use cases for the new network technology. Everything from factory tech to VR gaming will be on show, providing an enticing vision of the 5G-supported future.

Another development once considered the reserve of classic (and not so classic) science fiction films is communication using holograms. Thanks to 5G, though, this could soon become a reality in homes, workplaces and events across the world.

In the last year, a number of operators and vendors have demonstrated the technology so expect to see a new kind of video call like you’ve never seen before.

Outside of one-to-one communication and conference calls, potential use cases for the technology include providing real time holographic entertainment and even remote speakers at conferences.

So next time you’re in a keynote session it might be worth taking a long, hard look to check if the executive speaking is actually there in person or sat in their hotel room.

Meeting the UN’s SDGs has been a major talking point at MWC Barcelona for several years now and this year looks set to be no exception.

Although several initiatives are likely to be touched on, the goal likely to garner the most attention given growing public awareness and demand for rapid moves on the issue is Goal 13 – climate action.

Major players have already set about defining and striving towards ambitious goals to cut their environmental impact and promote sustainability. Just last month Microsoft vowed to remove all of the carbon generated throughout its history by 2050, so attendees can expect some other big commitments and announcements ahead of, and at, MWC Barcelona.

In addition to updates on progress within operator businesses, demonstrations of how the industry can aid other enterprises and wider society with green agendas is likely to be a hot issue.

Outside of environmental concerns, the conference programme also has a significant focus on healthcare following the demonstration of the world’s first tele-mentored surgery over a 5G connection performed between a local hospital and the Fira at last year’s event.

How wireless connectivity can allow these cutting-edge applications will be covered on the main conference stage, with the key players from last year’s breakthrough in attendance in Keynote 7. Expect more healthcare demos on the show floor.

In addition to all of the above, there will be a multitude of exciting innovations on display and a raft of discussions covering different areas including privacy, security, connected health, industry X, media and entertainment, customer relations, bizarre connected devices and apps.

You name it, you’ll find it at MWC, often in a hall where you least expect it. So if it’s your first time, have a full look around, and if you’re a seasoned veteran maybe have a wander into a new area. You never know what you might find!