Mobile World Capital

The Mobile World Capital is an initiative to promote the mobile industry. It started in 2011 as a spin-off from the GSMA Mobile World Congress, and new Spanish public partners have joined to create a Foundation in 2012, which will organise the MWCongress and other events in Barcelona until 2018.
The Congress showcases stands from the biggest telecom operators in the world, but also from mobile device manufacturers, and all sorts of companies related in the mobile ecosystem (software, app developers, antennas, etc.). Usually several world releases are introduced during the Congress. The MWCapital intends now to settle companies related with the mobile industry, but also to encourage globally the and collaboration, and finally to boost worldwide the use, access, and awareness of the importance and capacities of the mobile technologies.
History
The GSMA Mobile World Congress currently takes place at Fira de Barcelona, Spain, usually in the last week of February, and with a growing attendance, and a maximum of 70.000 participants in the 2012 edition.
The event took place until 2006 in Cannes, and was known as 3GSM World, but in the period 2007-2012 Barcelona was chosen to host the Congress.
As the number of attendees to the Congress grew in every edition, the GSMA opened in 2010 a contest to keep on its importance and related projects, and change from only one week Congress into a yearlong Capital. The candidate cities were initially Amsterdam, Barcelona, Cologne, Milan, Munich and Paris, amongst which Barcelona was confirmed winner to host the Capital and organise the Congress during 5 more years.
Partners
Once announced the Capitality of Barcelona, the Mobile World Capital Barcelona Foundation was established, to coordinate and run the initiatives aimed at turning Barcelona into the mobile communications flagship. The participants of this foundation are the following institutions:
* Ajuntament de Barcelona (city council)
* Generalitat de Catalunya (regional government)
* Spanish Government
* GSM Association
* Fira de Barcelona
Working Lines
Four working linkes have been chosen, and are under current definition.
Mobile World Hub
The 'Hub' is going to be a physical place where companies will meet in a cluster style. It will promote the creation of business, training and service initiatives. To be placed in the innovation district of , will host the Mobile World Capital workers, plus other companies willing to start or to grow and take advantage of the information and capacities exchange initiatives.
Mobile World Congress
Until 2012, the most important event of the GSMA, from 2013 will be one of The Capital's events. Next edition will take place on February 25-28, and will move from its previous location in Plaza España of Barcelona, into the bigger the space of Fira Gran Via.
Mobile World Festival
A part of the big event of the Congress, the Capital will organise, or take part of several other smaller events, which take place during the whole year in Barcelona. There have already been collaborations with the Formula 1 Spain Grand Prix and with Futbol Club Barcelona.
These and other events to launch soon will promote the usage of mobile technology amongst citizens.
Mobile World Centre
The last branch of the Foundation will be a permanent exhibition in a centrical space of Barcelona. Half museum half playground, is designed to make visitors interact with technology, not simply just as a showplace for the latest mobile devices.

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