Mobile World Congress Shanghai will take place June 27-29 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).

“Across the show, attendees will have the opportunity to experience how mobile innovations are impacting their daily lives, now and into the future,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. “Mobile World Congress Shanghai will showcase the latest and greatest in technology, from 5G to AR/VR to the Internet of Things and beyond.”

Held over three days in Hall N5 of the SNIEC, the Mobile World Congress Shanghai conference programme features four keynote sessions, as well as seven focused summits exploring topics including 5G, artificial intelligence, the latest developments in devices, the future of vehicles and the Internet of Things (IoT), among others.

The first confirmed keynote speakers for Mobile World Congress Shanghai include:

• Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman, Bharti Enterprises and Chairman, GSMA
• Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA
• Yu Hu, Co-founder and Rotating President, IFlytek
• Aamir Ibrahim, Head of Emerging Market, VEON and CEO, Jazz
• Forrest Li, Chairman and CEO, SEA Group
• Xu Li, CEO, SenseTime
• David Lynn, President and CEO, Viacom International Media Networks

To learn more, check out the full media release here.

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Telcoin — or TEL — announced this week that the company is now officially a member of the GSMA , “joining nearly 800 operators and more than 300 companies in the mobile ecosystem,” a tweet from the Telcoin team explains.

“Telcoin is the first telecom-focused cryptocurrency, distributed in partnership with GSMA network operators to mobile subscribers globally,” Telcoin’s page on the GSMA site elucidates. “Our central mission is financial inclusion – empowering a broad spectrum of mobile users with expanded access to the global financial system of the future. With or without a bank account, Telcoin can be used by anyone – tech-savvy smartphone users, unbanked feature phone users, and the rapidly growing middle segment of underbanked smartphone users alike.”

Following it’s successful ICO in January, the Telcoin team has reaffirmed its commitment to an ambitious roadmap for 2018 and beyond — a mission that could forever alter the mobile fintech landscape.

“By combining the reach of mobile networks and the fast, borderless nature of blockchain technology, we provide an easy and secure gateway to cryptocurrency adoption on any mobile device,” the GSMA profile of Telcoin clarifies.

Telcoin Pte. Ltd. is based in Singapore with a team operating out of Tokyo, Japan.

To learn more about Telcoin and its stated plans for “financial inclusion in a mobile world,” click here.

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The GSMA also announced further updates for the event, including new exhibitors, sponsors and programs. Mobile World Congress will be held 26 February – 1 March 2018 at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, with events also taking place at Fira Montjuïc.

“We are very excited to have these executives joining us at Mobile World Congress,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. “Conference attendees will have the opportunity to hear the insights of some of the leading voices across the mobile industry, as well as perspectives from other organizations influencing the development of mobile. It’s already shaping up to be a great program.”

The GSMA confirmed the first keynote speakers for the Mobile World Congress conference, which will be held across all four days of the event.

The speakers announced today include:

• Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman, Bharti Enterprises and Chairman, GSMA
• Gavin Patterson, CEO, BT Group
• Börje Ekholm, President and CEO, Ericsson
• Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA
• Kazuhiro Yoshizawa, President and CEO, NTT DOCOMO, Inc.
• Jim Whitehurst, President and CEO, Red Hat
• Sigve Brekke, President and CEO, Telenor Group
• Vittorio Colao, Chief Executive, Vodafone Group

We’re told that the conference will address key topics such as the evolution to 5G and next-generation networks, consumer IoT, digital content and entertainment, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, privacy and security, and sustainable development, among many others. In addition to the keynote sessions, the conference will include series of focused track sessions that explore specific subjects in greater depth.

For more information on the keynotes and the conference, click here.

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If you’re not familiar, The Glomo Awards honor the greatest achievements and innovations across the mobile industry, with 38 awards over eight categories.

Entries for the 2018 awards will be accepted through Wednesday, 22 November 2017, with the winners announced at the GSMA Mobile World Congress taking place 26 February – 1 March 2018 in Barcelona.

“Mobile now connects two-thirds of the world’s population and is constantly evolving,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. “Through the Glomo Awards, our industry will showcase the incredible innovation and creativity helping to keep us all connected now and in the future. We wish all entrants the best of luck.”

For 2018, the GSMA has refreshed the Glomo Award categories to reflect the changing shape of the mobile industry worldwide, and introduced new awards that highlight the most cutting-edge developments impacting the industry.

To learn more about The 2018 Glomo Awards and the program’s categories, click here.

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We’re told that The “Case For Change” will put the spotlight on the work of the mobile industry to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, in doing so, connect everyone and everything to a better future.

“Operators and ecosystem players around the world are doing some amazing work to create this better future – and we need to tell those stories,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer at GSMA. “Case For Change demonstrates the direct, positive impact that mobile operators have on the lives of billions of men, women and children around the world, on their communities, on economies, and on society as a whole.”

Starting this week in the United States, the Case For Change will offer an in-depth view of how mobile is truly changing people’s lives. For instance, in Boston, Erich, a low-vision marathon runner, uses connected glasses to enable him to realise his dream of competing in the Boston Marathon.

As it travels around the world, Case For Change will also show how mobile is delivering timely healthcare in Africa, providing an “essential lifeline for refugees in the Middle East, and giving women financial independence in India, among many other stories.”

After six months on the road, the Case For Change will end its journey in February 2018 at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

“Beyond showcasing the tremendous power of mobile, the Case For Change serves as an opportunity to bring a wide range of stakeholders together in addressing the SDGs,” concluded O’Hara. “This is not something that we can accomplish alone as individuals, as companies, even as an industry; we must work together, united, to make the 2030 agenda a reality.”

To learn more about The Case for Change, click here.

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Mobile World Congress Americas will take place September 12-14, 2017 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

“In just two weeks, San Francisco will host the most comprehensive mobile technology event the Americas region has ever seen,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. “Mobile World Congress Americas will illustrate how mobile technology impacts the everyday lives of more than five billion people worldwide, transforming industries and contributing to the global economy. Moreover, it will reinforce the Americas region as the epicenter of mobile technology innovation.”

As for new additions to the keynote program, they include several more speakers for the Mobile World Congress Americas conference program, with executives representing a wide range of organizations across the mobile ecosystem:

• Amanda Kahlow, Founder and CSO, 6Sense
• Niccolo De Masi, President and COO, Essential
• Mitchell Baker, Executive Chairwoman, Mozilla Foundation
• Cristiano R. Amon, EVP, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and President, Qualcomm CDMA Technologies
• Al Guido, President, San Francisco 49ers

Beyond the keynote program, the three-day Mobile World Congress Americas conference will offer focused track sessions on range of subjects, such as consumer IoT, content and media, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, next-generation networks, policy and sustainable development. Newly confirmed conference speakers include:

• Ashwin Karuhatty, Business Development, Smart Home, Amazon Alexa
• Chris Berend, SVP of Digital Video and Co-founder of Great Big Story, CNN
• Erik Ekudden, CTO, Ericsson
• Eric King, Director of Technology, Sacramento Kings
• Vish Shastry, VP, Merchant Solution Delivery and Commercialization, Digital Products, Visa
• Imran Ansani, Principal Manager, Innovation, Walmart Labs

For more information on the conference, click here.

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Under the theme “Creating a Better Future”, Mobile World Congress will be held 26 February – 1 March 2018 at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, with events also taking place at Fira Montjuïc.

According to the GSMA’s official word, event organizers expect that more than 108,000 professionals from across the mobile industry and adjacent industry sectors will attend Mobile World Congress 2018.

“With more than 5 billion unique subscribers, mobile now connects over two-thirds of the world’s population. It is fuelling innovation, revolutionizing industries and spurring exciting new opportunities, across both developed and developing markets,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer. “Mobile provides access to life-enhancing and, in some cases, life-changing services. Reinforcing our industry’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, mobile is providing lifelines to hope, reducing inequalities and preserving our world’s resources. We look forward to Mobile World Congress 2018 and showing how mobile is creating a better future – today.”

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As part of the announcement, we’ve learned about new confirmed keynote speakers, programs and events, as well as additional exhibitors and partners.

Mobile World Congress Americas will take place September 12-14, 2017 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

“We have just under two months left to go before the mobile world congregates in San Francisco for our inaugural Mobile World Congress Americas,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer of the GSMA. “We have an amazing event lined up, from the conference headlined by industry luminaries, to the exhibition with cutting-edge technologies, products and experiences, to a vast array of programs and activities designed to inform, educate and engage. We’re looking forward to showcasing the innovation that is the hallmark of the Americas mobile industry.”

The new keynote speakers confirmed include:

• Thaddeus Arroyo, CEO, Business Solutions and International, AT&T
• Gina Bianchini, Founder and CEO, Mighty Networks
• Lauren Kunze, CEO and Co-Founder, Pandorabots
• Ajit Pai, Chairman, United States Federal Communications Commission
• John Riccitiello, CEO, Unity

To read the full announcement, click here.

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“Mobile 360 – Africa is now only two weeks away and we are looking forward to convening players from across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries to discuss the unprecedented opportunity that mobile provides to improve and enhance social and economic development in the region,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA.

At Mobile 360 – Africa, CEOs and senior executives from leading mobile companies and from players across the digital ecosystem will address the most pressing mobile trends and issues.

New speakers confirmed to join the existing line-up at Mobile 360 – Africa include:

• Marisa Conway, Chief Learning Officer, Arifu
• Kees Van Lede, CEO, Carepay Ltd
• Eric Osiakwan, Managing Partner, Chanzo Capital
• Wale Ayeni, Regional head, Venture Capital – Africa, International Finance Corporation
• Lilian Makoi, Founder and CEO, Jamii Africa
• Catherine McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer, Medical Aid Films
• Mohamed, Dabbour, Executive Vice President, Africa, Millicom
• Dorcas Muthoni, CEO and Founder, Openworld
• Thomas Chalumeau, Chief Strategy Officer, Orange MEA
• Bob Collymore, CEO, Safaricom
• Peter Kariuki, Co-Founder and CTO, Safemotos
• Evan Thomas, CEO, SweetSense

For more details, check out the event’s official online presence here.

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According to a statement provided to MMW, the popular exhibition space invites visitors to experience how mobile-connected products and services are improving the lives of citizens, enterprises and governments in Asia, as well as around the world.

This year’s showcase explores a range of immersive, cutting-edge demonstrations from leading brands as well as start-ups, covering different sectors such as retail, transport, automotive and more.

“The City is always one of the biggest draws at Mobile World Congress and we are focused on ensuring that it reflects the latest developments in mobile technology,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer at GSMA. “We have a really diverse line-up of partners and a huge number of interactive demos and exhibits that will appeal to all different backgrounds and interest levels. We look to welcoming visitors to the Innovation City in Shanghai in just a few days, and then at Mobile World Congress Americas in San Francisco later in the year.”

To read the official announcement and peruse the list of experiences expected on display in the Innovation City, click here.

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