Exhibits various mobile technologies with the key themes of convergence, connection, and creation
Artificial intelligence (AI), next-generation connectivity, immersive experiences, smartphone innovation, and future mobility/robotics are the key topics.
MWC Overview
The Mobile World Congress (MWC) was held from March 2025 to 3, 3 at the Fira Barcelona International Exhibition Center in Barcelona, Spain. The event, which is now in its 6th year, began in 38 and has been held in Barcelona since 1987. MWC is a global event specializing in wireless communications, providing an important opportunity to experience the latest mobile technologies and gain insights from global figures. This year, 2006 visitors from 205 countries visited the event, up 10% from the previous year, and the number of exhibitors increased by 9000% to approximately 7.9, achieving excellent results. In addition, the number of speakers participating in MWC this year was 7.4, up 2900% from the previous year, and 9.0 delegations from 1200 countries and 148 international organizations attended the GSMA Ministerial Programme. Another reason MWC attracts attention from industry insiders is the large number of high-ranking executives with decision-making power within companies who attend, with directors and above accounting for 40% and C-level executives accounting for 188% of all attendees this year.
<2025 MWC Overview>
[Data: KOTRA Madrid Trade Center photo]
<2025 MWC Overview>
[Data: KOTRA Madrid Trade Center photo]
Over the past 10 years, the core theme of MWC has changed from 'mobile-centered → connectivity-centered → creation-centered'. Initially, the emphasis was on innovation in mobile devices such as smartphones, but later network development and connectivity became the main topics. Recently, it has changed beyond simple connectivity and has been changing in the direction of creating new value by utilizing technology. In particular, 2018G, AI, IoT, and cloud have become key keywords since 5. Among these, "connectivity" has emerged as an important concept, and wireless communication is developing into a smarter service through recent convergence with AI, cloud, and edge computing. In addition, as the speed of technological development has accelerated since the popularization of 5G, "velocity" has emerged as an important factor, and we have entered an era in which technologies such as AI, IoT, and XR (extended reality) are being rapidly applied. Accordingly, achieving "faster and more" innovation has become a key task.
The core theme of MWC 2025 was 'Converge, Connect, Create'. This means that AI, 5G/6G, cloud, and network technologies will be combined (convergence), more people, devices, and industries will be connected (connection), and new innovations will be created (created) based on this. The detailed themes selected were △5G Inside, △Connect X, △AI+, △Corporate Reinvention, △Game Changer, and △Our Digital DNA.
MWC 2025: Five Innovation Trends That Will Open the Future
This year, MWC 2025 highlighted AI, next-generation connectivity, immersive experiences, smartphone innovation, and future mobility and robotics. Major companies and startups showcased innovative technologies, suggesting the future direction we will face.
The most notable change was the full-scale growth of the AI market. Companies used AI to optimize processes, innovate user experiences, and present new possibilities in various fields such as healthcare, mobility, and industry. In particular, AI-enhanced semiconductors, generative AI, and on-device AI received attention, and competition in related technologies became more intense. At this time, AI-enhanced semiconductors were expected to be widely used in the mobile, network, and computing fields while improving performance and efficiency, and major companies including Qualcomm and MediaTek were seen competing in earnest around this technology. Generative AI was evolving in the direction of personalizing user experiences and maximizing work productivity, and it was confirmed that it was being rapidly applied to mobile devices, and on-device AI was established as an important technology that strengthens data privacy because it can implement AI functions without an Internet connection.
5G Advanced, the evolution of 5G, was also a key topic of this event. Major telecommunications companies announced plans to provide faster speeds, lower latency, and expanded network capacity than before, heralding the next-generation connectivity environment. In particular, with the early demonstration of 6G technology, a vision for the future direction of network technology was presented. Ericsson led the discussion on the possibilities and challenges of next-generation network technology in a presentation titled “6G: Are we ambitious enough?” In addition, satellite connectivity technology emerged as an important solution that can provide stable communication even in network blind spots, and was noted as an innovative technology for resolving the digital divide.
Immersive experiences were also a major topic at this year's MWC. With XR (Extended Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), and VR (Virtual Reality) technologies being unveiled in large numbers, it was evident that the mobile industry is evolving toward providing increasingly intuitive and interactive user experiences. In addition, XR technologies are being rapidly adopted in various fields such as gaming, education, healthcare, and remote work, confirming that hardware performance improvements and network infrastructure expansion are becoming essential elements. Accordingly, as manufacturers, network companies, and content developers work together to develop immersive experience technologies, the mobile ecosystem is expected to change significantly in the future. Furthermore, as 5G Advanced and AI technologies are combined, XR technologies are expected to implement more natural and immersive interfaces.
The smartphone market was also fiercely competitive. Major companies attempted to differentiate themselves by highlighting camera innovation, AI integration, foldables, and ultra-slim designs as key trends. High-definition camera technology, new form factors, and AI-based smart functions attracted great attention from visitors, showing that the smartphone market is moving beyond simple performance competition to user-tailored innovation.
Notable technologies also emerged in the fields of future mobility and robotics. Drone delivery, air taxis, and autonomous public transportation technologies are emerging as alternatives to solve urban traffic problems, and it was confirmed that more precise operations are becoming possible with the development of ultra-low latency 5G networks. Major companies related to this introduced that they are focusing on reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy efficiency through electric and AI-based mobility solutions, and are working to build an eco-friendly transportation system. In the field of robotics, the latest humanoid robots that combine AI and 5G Advanced technologies were introduced, attracting great attention.
GLOMO, 4YFN Awards
The GLOMO Awards, a representative awards program hosted by MWC, is a prestigious award that selects and awards companies and organizations that have introduced innovative technologies and services in the mobile and communications industries. Hosted by the GSMA, it evaluates and awards outstanding achievements in various fields such as network technology, mobile devices, software, sustainability, 5G, and AI. The GLOMO Awards goes beyond a simple awards ceremony to promote the development of the mobile industry and encourage companies to lead the future with new technologies and services. In particular, new categories are added every year in line with industry trends, and winners are selected by balancing technological excellence and social impact. It is an important opportunity for companies participating in MWC to promote their innovations to the world, and winning companies can secure high recognition and trust. In 2025, the Best Marketing Excellence and Best Fintech Innovation categories were newly established. This shows that digital marketing is becoming an increasingly important element and financial technology is playing a key role in the mobile industry. In particular, this change reflects how innovations in fintech, such as digital payments, blockchain, and AI-based financial services, are improving consumer experiences and having a major impact on the financial industry as a whole.
This year, the GLOMO Awards were presented in 7 categories in 33 major categories (Mobile Tech, Digital Everything, Devices, Good Technology, Government Leadership, Outstanding Achievement, Best Marketing). Of these, 25 categories were competitive categories, and the list of nominees was announced before the MWC, and fierce competition took place in each category.
<2025 Glomo Awards Award Category>
[Source: MWC homepage]
This year’s GLOMO Awards saw the remarkable performance of Chinese companies. Chinese companies were nominated in 25 of the 22 competition categories, and some categories were exclusively Chinese. In particular, three categories, including Best Mobile Network Infrastructure, Best Mobile Operator Service for Connected Consumers, and Best Mobile Innovation for Connected Economy, had all Chinese companies as nominees. In the final results, Chinese companies also showed their strength, winning awards in 3 of the 22 categories. This shows that Chinese companies’ influence in the global mobile industry is growing.
Korean companies were nominated for awards in a total of 10 categories, and won awards in four of them (Best Cloud Solution Award, Best Mobile Operator Service for Connected Consumers Award, Outstanding Mobile Contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Best Mobile Innovation for Improving the Quality of Life for Children and Youth Award).
Along with the MWC exhibition, the world's largest startup event, 4YFN (4 Years From Now), will also be held, providing a venue to highlight innovative technologies and promising startups that will lead the future mobile industry. 4YFN has become a place where startups from around the world gather to build networks, secure investment opportunities, and share the latest technology trends. The 2025 event was the largest ever, with over 1000 startups, 380 speakers, and over 900 investors. In addition, a total of 600 billion euros in investment funds were attracted during the event, demonstrating high interest in the startup ecosystem and its growth potential.
4YFN held its own awards program, 4YFN Awards 2025, separate from the GLOMO Awards, to select innovative startups in the mobile industry. A total of five startups were nominated as finalists this year, and the honor of the final winner was given to Colombian startup Bankuish. Through this awards ceremony, industry insiders were able to see which startups and technologies are most noteworthy at present, and it raised expectations for the leap forward of new companies that have the potential to change the mobile ecosystem in the future.
KOTRA Korea Pavilion and Integrated Korea Pavilion
KOTRA operated an integrated Korean pavilion during the MWC in collaboration with nine Korean organizations, including the Korea Information and Communication Technology Industry Association and the Gyeonggi Economic and Science Promotion Agency. The integrated Korean pavilion actively supported entry into the global market and strengthened overseas marketing activities. Through this, participating companies had the opportunity to effectively promote their technologies and products to global buyers and investors. In particular, prior to the event, a pre-briefing session was held to provide MWC 9 trends and business trip information, helping participating companies thoroughly prepare for the exhibition. In addition, an online landing page exclusively for the integrated Korean pavilion was created to promote the products and technologies of participating companies, and this was actively promoted through all trade offices in KOTRA’s European headquarters. Based on this support, Korean companies were able to expand their contact points with the global market at MWC 2025 and create an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with overseas buyers and investors.
KOTRA has been operating the Korea Pavilion at the 2009th MWC since 16. This year, a total of 32 companies were supported, and the exhibit items of participating companies were diverse, including 5G, mobile, cybersecurity, AI, and edutech-related devices and solutions. Many of the companies that participated in MWC through KOTRA’s Korea Pavilion expanded their cooperation with global buyers and achieved various results.
14 European buyers and investors from 50 countries visited the Korean Pavilion, and several MOUs were signed on-site, securing opportunities for technological cooperation and market expansion. 'PetNow', which introduced an AI-based pet biometric identification service, signed an MOU with Z, a Spanish cat management platform company. Through this, it plans to jointly participate in a Barcelona city government project and seek to expand its services to major European regions in the future. 'BatteryFly', a vehicle battery solution company, signed an MOU on-site with M, a British mobility solution company, and achieved results in strengthening technological cooperation between the two companies. Through this, it is expected to expand connections with the electric vehicle and mobility industries in Europe. CIT attracted much attention by exhibiting its independently developed transparent antenna 'Dolphin'. Based on its history of winning the CES Innovation Award and Gadget Award at the same time, it conducted consultations with global companies such as N Company in the US and SpaceX, further solidifying cooperative relationships with existing partners, while also successfully discovering new buyers.
The Korean companies responded positively to participating in the exhibition through KOTRA Korea Pavilion. According to an interview conducted by Madrid Trade Office and Artisanspace at KOTRA Korea Pavilion, MWC was evaluated as being differentiated among IT exhibitions in that it has a high rate of visits by key decision-makers. In addition, they positively evaluated that participating through KOTRA Korea Pavilion further strengthened the credibility and recognition of the company, and said that it was an opportunity to further enhance competitiveness in the global market.
<Full view of the integrated Korean pavilion>
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[Data: KOTRA Madrid Trade Center photo]
Prospects and Implications
It is analyzed that the future direction of the mobile industry was presented in five key areas at the 2025 MWC: AI, next-generation networks, satellite communications, IoT, and network automation.
AI is taking center stage in the mobile industry, leading to overall changes from network operations to user experience. Major telecommunications companies are focusing on optimizing network operations through AI-based automation and providing customized services and productivity enhancements using generative AI. As smartphones equipped with AI acceleration chips become more widespread, voice recognition, camera, and augmented reality (AR) technologies are expected to become more advanced. In addition, the full-scale introduction of 5G-Advanced and discussions on 6G are taking place simultaneously. As 5G enters the maturity stage, speed and capacity are further improved through 5G-Advanced (5.5G), and AI and machine learning (ML)-based network automation technologies are being introduced.
6G will evolve into an AI native network with commercialization targeted for 2030, and the first standard is expected to be announced around 2028. Meanwhile, the development of satellite communications and non-terrestrial networks (NTN) is suggesting new connectivity solutions. As satellite-based smartphone direct communication (Direct-to-Device, D2D) technology becomes a reality, mobile connectivity is expected to expand even in areas where terrestrial networks cannot reach. In particular, the combination of satellite communications and IoT is expected to play an important role in the shipping, aviation, and remote industries.
IoT and smart device technology are also rapidly evolving. As global integrated eSIM and IoT platform standardization progresses, connectivity and efficiency are improving in smart homes, smart factories, and smart cities. With the spread of IoT, security, data management, and standardization issues are emerging as major issues, and it is expected that active development of solutions to address these issues will take place.
Finally, Open RAN and network automation have emerged as the core of next-generation communication technology. Open RAN enables compatibility with equipment from various manufacturers through the open structure of base station equipment, and increases the flexibility of network construction and operation. In addition, as AI-based network automation technology becomes an essential element, the efficiency and stability of the network are improving. These changes are expected to ultimately lead to the AI nativeization of 6G networks.
In other words, the 2025 MWC was a place to confirm that AI and next-generation network technologies are converging beyond the mobile industry into various industries, and advancing the era of hyper-connectivity and hyper-intelligence.