JAKARTA - Despite being something to look forward to, the world's largest smartphone event Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain has finally been canceled for this year due to the COVID-19 (corona) virus outbreak.

In fact, not a few of the world's top cellphone companies have gathered at this annual MWC 2020 event. But the concerns over COVID-19 cannot continue to be ignored. On Wednesday, the MWC pantia agreed to cancel and it is impossible to continue.

Quoting the Forbes page, LG Company withdrew first at the beginning of the month, then Sony, Intel and HMD Global, handset makers for Nokia Mobile, Nvidia, Vivo, Amazon and NTT Docomo. Even though some companies like Huawei and Oppo challenge that they are still there, things have finally changed today.

"With regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the current host country, GSMA has canceled MWC Barcelona 2020 due to global concerns regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, travel issues and other circumstances, making it impossible for the GSMA to hold such an event," said the GSMA. , the organizer of the Mobile World Congress in its official statement, Thursday, February 13.

Announcement of the cancellation of the MWC 2020 event (mwcbarcelona)

This decision has certainly made smartphone companies struggling to find out what to do next. Chances are they could hold their own event or just put out a press release to reveal their latest gadget. Some of them, especially Chinese companies, are considering plans to continue their event in Barcelona. Even though MWC 2020 has officially been canceled.

"The impact on small companies that have invested a disproportionate amount of their budget and time on this event should not be underestimated. MWC is the main event for many people, and now they face the challenge of finding the best way to save something from this difficult situation. , "said CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood.

Please note, MWC is an event that brings together companies from all over the world. Not a few took advantage of the exhibition during the week as a place to introduce their latest smartphone. This year many of them will feature 5G technology phones from almost every Android vendor especially, as well as updates on networks running super fast connectivity.

Although 5G has become a reality last year in several countries, this year is the time to go mainstream. But participants and organizers are worried about an uninvited guest, namely the COVID-19 which was discovered last December in Wuhan, China. This virus triggers diseases such as pneumonia.

For information, COVID-19 has infected 45,000 people and claimed more than 1,100 lives. The disease has spread beyond China's borders to about 30 countries, including the US, Japan and Australia. Not long ago, two cases were confirmed in Spain.


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