Barcelona (AFP)

The World Mobile Fair (MWC) kicked off Monday in Barcelona, ​​becoming one of the first major global professional events to physically resume since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, even though its format has been drastically reduced.

“It's absolutely amazing to be back here on this stage in Barcelona,” said Mats Granryd, director of the Global Telecoms Operators Association (GSMA), which is hosting the event, in his inaugural address.

The MWC, a flagship event for new technologies that usually takes place at the end of February, has been postponed from June 28 to July 1 due to the pandemic and designed in a hybrid mode, combining virtual conferences and stands installed in the Barcelona convention center.

Dozens of people lined up on Monday morning in front of a large Covid-19 test center, compulsory to enter the premises.

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Participants will have to wear an FFP2 mask with enhanced security at all times, complete a sworn certificate each morning certifying that they have no symptoms of the disease and circulate in the aisles in a predefined direction.

The 2021 edition will be very lightened by the physical absence of many large manufacturers, after the cancellation of the previous edition, which took place just before the major global lockdowns in spring 2020.

The Korean Samsung, the Finnish Nokia, the Swedish Ericsson, the Americans Google and Facebook will only be present through interposed screens, for fear of contagion.

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The Chinese Huawei, target of American sanctions which weigh on its sales, will be the largest group physically present, alongside telecom operators like Orange or Telefonica.

Unlike in previous years, no major manufacturer has announced the presentation of a new phone in Barcelona, ​​although a few small Chinese and European companies are expected to unveil new devices.

The number of visitors has been capped at 50,000 as a precaution, but should not exceed 30 to 35,000 people, against 100,000 in normal times, according to the organizers.

The salon will only occupy three pavilions of the Palais des Congrès, compared to the usual eight.

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One of the main speakers will be tech billionaire Elon Musk, who will speak remotely on Tuesday.

The various conferences will look at the global deployment of ultra-fast 5G internet networks and the increased demand for connected objects and telemedicine caused by the pandemic.

© 2021 AFP