MWC27 Barcelona Reveals First-Wave Speakers and Exhibitors: SoftBank Debuts as Connectivity Expands Across Health, Auto, and Aviation

The GSMA has announced the first wave of speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors for MWC27 Barcelona, returning to Fira Gran Via from March 1–4, 2027. SoftBank will make its debut appearance on the main show floor alongside returning telecommunications and technology giants. The upcoming edition introduces three dedicated vertical industry spaces focused on automotive, aviation, and healthcare connectivity.

RMN Digital Events Desk
New Delhi | November 11, 2026

The GSMA has unveiled the preliminary speaker lineup and exhibitor framework for MWC27 Barcelona, the global connectivity industry’s centerpiece event. Scheduled to take place at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona from March 1 to March 4, 2027, the conference will convene commercial leaders, technology innovators, and policymakers to address digital transformation across enterprise and consumer ecosystems.

First-Wave Executive Keynotes

The initial lineup of confirmed keynotes highlights decision-makers from artificial intelligence, financial technology, telecommunications, and cybersecurity:

• Mati Staniszewski — Co-Founder and CEO, ElevenLabs
• Tarek Mansour — Co-Founder and CEO, Kalshi
• Anima Anandkumar — Co-Founder, Accelerated Understanding & Bren Professor, Caltech
• Dr. Hany Farid — Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer, GetReal Security
• Amy Webb — CEO, Future Today Strategy Group
• Yoon Young Park — CEO, KT Corporation

Exhibitor Floor Highlights and Enterprise Debuts

In a notable show floor expansion, SoftBank will exhibit at MWC Barcelona for the first time. SoftBank joins a roster of major mobile network operators—including Deutsche Telekom, Orange, SK Telecom, Telefónica, and Vodafone—as well as global technology infrastructure vendors such as Amazon, Cisco, Ericsson, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Huawei, Meta, Nokia, Qualcomm, Samsung, Xiaomi, and ZTE.

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Dedicated Industry Vertical Spaces

Recognizing the integration of 5G, satellite connectivity, and AI into non-telecom sectors, MWC27 will feature three specialized vertical hubs designed to showcase operational use cases:

1. Connect Health (in partnership with Mobile World Capital): Focuses on digital health innovation, remote care, and medical systems. Early participants include AstraZeneca, Garmin Health, HPE, Medtronic, and NUHS.
2. Connect Auto: Dedicated to software-defined vehicles (SDVs), connected mobility, and intelligent transport networks. Confirmed partners and exhibitors include 5GAA, AVATR Technology, and Chery Mobility Iberia.
3. Connect Aviation: Addresses smart airport infrastructure, inflight connectivity, and aviation operations, with participation from Cranfield University, Imagine Wireless, Barch, and the Seamless Air Alliance.

New Frontiers: Quantum, Robotics, and Satellite

Located in Hall 6, the New Frontiers pavilion returns to spotlight next-generation deep technology. Exhibits will cover quantum computing, physical AI, humanoid robotics, and non-terrestrial networks (NTN). Confirmed participants include Agibot, Eutelsat, the European Space Agency (ESA), Grupo Oesia, GSMA Foundry, IonQ, Open Cosmos, Quantum Computing Inc, Sateliot, Taara, Toshiba Quantum Technology, UBTech, and Viasat.

Strategic Industry Direction

Reflecting on the expansion into vertical industries, John Hoffman, Chairman and Director of GSMA Ltd, noted that rapid developments in artificial intelligence and next-generation networks are extending connectivity deeper into the broader digital economy, driving the event’s targeted focus on transport and healthcare systems.

Key Information Summary

Registration for MWC27 Barcelona opens on November 11, 2026, via the official GSMA platform.