Over 80,000 Participants from 200 Countries Worldwide
SKT and KT Emphasize AI… Samsung's 'Galaxy Ecosystem'
'Network Usage Fees' as a Key Issue
[Barcelona=Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] The world's largest mobile telecommunications exhibition, 'Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023,' opens on the 27th (local time) in Barcelona, Spain, under the theme 'Velocity: The Speed of Today Realizing Tomorrow's Technology.' As the first fully offline event since COVID-19, more than 2,000 companies and organizations from over 200 countries worldwide are participating, attracting about 80,000 attendees.
A sculpture announcing the MWC event has been installed near the local landmark, the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, and MWC flags are fluttering along the roads near Pla?a de Catalunya. Samsung Electronics and other participating companies are also raising the excitement by installing large outdoor advertisements and flags for the Galaxy S23 series at the entrance of the venue.
Over 130 Korean Companies Participate... Showcasing ICT Leadership
This year, about 130 Korean companies including Samsung Electronics, SK Telecom, and KT are participating in MWC. SKT is focusing on ▲Artificial Intelligence (AI) ▲Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ▲6G. The super-large AI model 'A.Dot' demonstrates long-term memory technology and multimodal technology that understands complex information such as photos and voice. An exhibition combining a life-sized UAM model based on the UAM manufacturer 'Joby Aviation' aircraft and a virtual experience simulator is presented.
KT has organized its exhibition under the theme 'Digico KT, the Digital Transformation (DX) Partner Pioneering the Digital Era,' with three themes: ▲DX platform ▲DX expansion ▲DX technology leadership. KT introduces its super-large AI 'Mideum' and showcases Digico services expanding into various industrial sectors such as group companies, media, and finance.
Samsung Electronics emphasizes the 'Galaxy ecosystem' by showcasing the Galaxy S23 series, released on the 17th. Visitors can experience the powerful camera and mobile gaming performance of the Galaxy S23 series. Large outdoor advertisements for the latest mobile products such as the 'Galaxy S23 series' and 'Galaxy Book3 series' are also displayed at the entrance of the MWC venue.
Key business leaders are also visiting MWC. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Doosan Group Vice Chairman Park Ji-won are attending MWC for the first time.
Local models at the SKT exhibition hall are showcasing a life-sized UAM model based on Joby Aviation's aircraft [Photo by SKT]
Next-Generation ICT Technologies like 'ChatGPT' Presented... Large Participation of Chinese Companies
This MWC draws global attention to AI technologies such as the recently spotlighted ChatGPT. This is also why Korean telecom companies are focusing on AI. Microsoft, which announced the Bing chatbot, is exhibiting generative AI models.
With 5G maturing, major equipment companies such as Samsung Electronics, Ericsson, and Nokia are presenting next-generation communication technologies. Samsung Electronics is exhibiting next-generation 5G virtualized base stations (virtualized RAN), next-generation 64T64R multiple input/output base stations (Massive MIMO radio), software-based energy-saving solutions and network automation solutions, and a lineup of high-performance new network chipsets (Samsung Networks Chipset).
The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) is showcasing 5G Open RAN base station radio devices, 5G intelligent small cell software (SW), terahertz (THz) indoor communication, THz imaging, and intelligent stealth and camouflage communication technologies.
Chinese companies are also participating in large numbers. This contrasts with CES 2023 held last month in the U.S., where participation was low due to U.S.-China tensions. Huawei, which rented the entire Hall 1, is exhibiting the latest products and solutions in three major business sectors: carrier networks, enterprise, and consumer. Products such as the Mate 50 series, Huawei Watch Buds, and Watch GT Cyber are showcased. Chinese smartphone manufacturers such as Xiaomi, Oppo, and Honor have also joined.
Samsung Electronics models introducing the exhibition booth at the Samsung Electronics exhibition booth [Photo by Samsung Electronics]
Clash over 'Network Usage Fees'... Telecom Companies vs. Big Tech
This MWC has brought the issue of whether big tech companies like Netflix and Google, which generate large volumes of traffic, should pay network usage fees to the forefront. The opening keynote session titled 'Vision for an Open Future' features Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner leading the network usage fee discussions in the European Union (EU).
On the second day, the 28th, a ministerial-level program titled 'Network Investment: Realizing the Digital Revolution' will be held. Major telecom companies, big tech policy executives, and the EU Commission will participate to discuss network neutrality. Initially, Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT was scheduled to attend but will not participate due to health reasons. On the same day, Netflix Co-CEO Greg Peters will deliver a keynote speech titled 'The Future of Entertainment.' The Korea Telecommunications Operators Association (KTOA) will sign a memorandum of understanding at MWC with the European Network Operators' Association (ENTO) to strengthen cooperation on fair network usage cost sharing.
On February 24, ahead of the opening (local time), KT officials are setting up the KT booth at MWC Hall 4. [Photo by KT]
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