World's top mobile show called off over coronavirus fears

Big names including Ericsson, Sony and Nokia pull out of Barcelona event

This is the first time in MWC Barcelona’s 33-year history that organizers have called off the event. © Reuters

ALEX FANG, Nikkei staff writer

February 13, 2020 06:46 JST

NEW YORK -- The Mobile World Congress, the world's largest mobile trade show hosted by Barcelona, has been canceled after major players such as Ericsson and Nokia withdrew due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak, its organizer announced Wednesday.

The convention, originally scheduled for Feb. 24 to 27, was shelved "with due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country," said John Hoffman, CEO of organizer GSMA, in a Wednesday press release, adding that "the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible to hold the event."