eenewseurope.com, Mar. 07, 2025 –
The telecoms industry came to Barcelona in Spain this week for Mobile World Congress 2025.
Over 109,000 attendees from 209 countries came to see the latest advanced mobile technology, particularly for satellite, and AI from 2900 exhibitors. The 4YFN pavilion saw over 1,000 startups exhibiting with over 900 investors attending. Over half (56%) of the attendees were representing industries adjacent to the core mobile ecosystem.
“This year’s event showed just how fast technology is reshaping the world around us. From AI-powered networks to the future of smart mobility, the discussions this week in Barcelona will set the tone for the year ahead. What happens at MWC doesn’t stay at MWC, it sparks real change. I can’t wait to see where this momentum takes us next, particularly as we head to MWC25 Shanghai in June this year.”
While AI is everywhere, with an industrial camera using neuromorphic AI, that was so 2024, as there was significant news on the evolution of non-terrestrial networks (NTN) via satellite, with voice over NB-IoT on Nordic Semiconductor chips, the first monolithic quad band GNSS chip and a GNSS ASIC design contract for ESA.
Back on the ground. OpenRAN is less obvious but only because it has become fundamental, says Peter Claydon, CEO of UK telecom chip designer RANsemi.
“We found a general acceptance that growth in the public wireless network market is stagnating. However, we also witnessed a rise in companies deploying private 5G networks and selling equipment into them. Many of these are in-building and local area deployments based on small cells,” said Claydon.
“From a technology perspective, unsurprisingly, AI was everywhere. It’s early in the hype cycle. Though there wasn’t much talk about Open RAN, it’s clear that Open RAN is now something that’s just assumed to exist. Everyone has it, and if you don’t, that’s when the questions would be asked.”