The European companies at MWC Barcelona 2024: AI, 5G, VR, XR, Cybersecurity, Digital Transformation, Entertainment, etc.

(IN BRIEF) At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2024, European companies showcased a wide array of innovations and strategic partnerships that underscored their commitment to driving digital transformation and enhancing connectivity across various sectors. The key topics discussed by the European companies at MWC Barcelona 2024 centered around digital transformation, the advancement of 5G technology and network optimization, the integration and application of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors, cybersecurity enhancements, the growth of eSports and digital entertainment, initiatives for sustainability and energy efficiency in tech operations, improving user experiences through innovative solutions, and the formation of strategic partnerships to foster technological innovation and market expansion.

(PRESS RELEASE) BARCELONA, 29-Feb-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2024, European companies showcased a wide array of innovations and strategic partnerships that underscored their commitment to driving digital transformation and enhancing connectivity across various sectors. Key highlights include:

Telefónica Movistar reaffirmed its dedication to the eSports arena by extending its sponsorship of the Movistar KOI eSports team, emphasizing a decade of investment in the rapidly growing field of digital entertainment. This move highlights the company’s ambition to remain at the forefront of the eSports community.

In response to the increasing demand for efficient content delivery driven by the popularity of short video clips, Vodafone and Broadcom introduced a novel solution designed to optimize network performance. This technology aims to dynamically adjust content delivery based on real-time network conditions, promising an improved user experience and more efficient network utilization.

Orange Middle East & Africa announced a strategic collaboration with Tencent Cloud to enhance its super-app Max it. This partnership is poised to enrich the app’s ecosystem, improve customer experiences, and promote digital inclusion across the African continent, with a focus on supporting local entrepreneurship.

Telefónica also unveiled a significant digitalization project with the Fini Company, aiming to revolutionize the confectionery manufacturer’s operations by implementing Industry 4.0 standards. This initiative is set to enhance efficiency, product quality, and innovation in the manufacturing process.

A notable highlight from the event was the collaboration between Telefónica and Ericsson, which resulted in a groundbreaking 5G-powered holographic concert. This performance seamlessly merged the physical and virtual worlds, offering a glimpse into the future of live entertainment powered by advanced connectivity and holographic technology.

Deutsche Telekom introduced “Magenta Security on Net,” a suite of network-based security products offering seamless protection against cyber threats. This innovation reflects a proactive approach to cybersecurity, providing users with robust security measures without the need for additional software.

trinamiX GmbH made waves with its introduction of Face Authentication technology and Consumer Spectroscopy. The former provides secure and convenient biometric solutions for smartphones and vehicles, while the latter integrates advanced sensors into smartphones, offering users personalized health and beauty insights, pushing the boundaries of personal technology.

Further innovations were presented by Deutsche Telekom, which showcased AI integration in communication devices, including AI-powered smartphones and futuristic router concepts under “Concept T.” These innovations highlight the potential of AI to transform communication and personal connectivity.

Telefónica’s Telefónica Edge Haptic Arena introduced an immersive gaming experience leveraging extended reality (XR) graphics and haptic technology, demonstrating the potential of high-quality XR experiences powered by advanced networks.

Moreover, a strategic partnership between Telefónica and TikTok was announced, focusing on utilizing Telefónica’s network capabilities to enhance TikTok user security and experience in Brazil. This collaboration is a testament to the ongoing efforts to provide safer and more seamless digital experiences for users.

In a significant move towards integrating AI into its operations, Telefónica announced a collaboration with Microsoft to incorporate Azure AI Studio into Telefónica Kernel 2.0, enhancing its capabilities with generative AI to transform key tasks and ensure privacy compliance.

The establishment of the Global Telco AI Alliance (GTAA) by Deutsche Telekom and other global telecom leaders aims to develop Large Language Models (LLMs) customized for telecommunications, enhancing customer interactions through digital assistants and setting new standards for efficiency and innovation in the telecom landscape.

Distribution of announcements by European companies at MWC Barcelona 2024

The pie chart visualizes the distribution of announcements made by European companies at MWC Barcelona 2024. Telefónica leads with the highest proportion of announcements, followed by Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and others. The chart highlights the active participation and contribution of these companies to the event, showcasing their latest innovations and strategic partnerships in the tech industry.

Taking into consideration the announcements the European companies at MWC Barcelona 2024 made those were the topics the companies talked most about:

The bar chart illustrates the topics and technologies that European companies focused on during their announcements at MWC Barcelona 2024. The most discussed topic was “5G,” followed by “AI & Machine Learning” and “Telecom Innovations.” Other significant areas of interest included “Digitalization & Automation,” “Cybersecurity,” “Energy Efficiency & Sustainability,” and “Immersive Experiences (VR/AR/XR).” This indicates a strong emphasis on advancing network technologies, enhancing digital capabilities, and improving sustainability within the tech industry. The chart is based on data from 28 MWC 2024 announcements made by European companies via EuropaWire during the month of February 2024.

• 5G Technology and Network Optimization: The use of 5G technology was a recurring theme, with Telefónica and Ericsson showcasing a 5G-powered holographic concert, and Vodafone and Broadcom introducing a solution to optimize network performance. These announcements highlight the ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity and network efficiency.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI was a central topic, with Deutsche Telekom showcasing AI integration in communication devices and forming the Global Telco AI Alliance to develop Large Language Models for telecommunications. This focus on AI underscores the industry’s shift towards more intelligent, automated systems.
• Digital Transformation and Innovation: Many companies, such as Telefónica with its digitization project with the Fini Company and its collaboration with Microsoft to integrate Azure AI Studio, emphasized the importance of digital transformation in various sectors, including manufacturing, entertainment, and telecommunications.
• Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: With Deutsche Telekom’s introduction of “Magenta Security on Net” and Telefónica’s emphasis on digital security through its Open Gateway initiative, cybersecurity and data privacy were highlighted as critical concerns, reflecting the growing need for robust protection in the digital age.
• eSports and Digital Entertainment: Telefónica Movistar’s renewal of its sponsorship for the Movistar KOI eSports team and the Telefónica Edge Haptic Arena for immersive gaming experiences indicate a strong interest in expanding the digital entertainment and eSports sectors.
• Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: Ericsson and Intel’s announcement about advancements in core network energy efficiency, as well as Optus and Ericsson’s implementation of energy-saving solutions in 5G networks, reflect a growing industry focus on sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
• Enhanced User Experiences: From Orange Middle East & Africa’s partnership with Tencent Cloud to enrich its super-app Max it, to trinamiX GmbH’s introduction of Consumer Spectroscopy for personalized health and beauty insights, enhancing the user experience through technology was a key theme.
• Collaborations and Strategic Partnerships: Many announcements involved collaborations between companies, such as the strategic partnership between Telefónica and TikTok, and the alliance between Orange Middle East & Africa and Tencent Cloud. These partnerships are aimed at leveraging each other’s strengths to innovate and expand market reach.

These topics indicate a strong industry focus on leveraging advanced technologies like 5G, AI, and digital solutions to drive innovation, enhance security, improve user experiences, and promote sustainability across various sectors.

Full itemized list of the summarized announcements the companies at MWC Barcelona 2024 made is enclosed below:

1. Telefónica Movistar: Announced a three-year sponsorship renewal for the Movistar KOI eSports team, emphasizing its decade-long involvement in eSports. Movistar KOI aims to dominate the Spanish-speaking eSports scene, with achievements in various tournaments and a focus on responsible technology use and support for women in gaming. Full release…
2. Vodafone and Broadcom: Presented a solution to enhance network performance by dynamically adjusting content delivery based on real-time network conditions. This aims to optimize network efficiency and user experience amidst increasing consumption of bandwidth-heavy short videos. Full release…
3. Orange Middle East & Africa: Announced a partnership with Tencent Cloud to enhance its super-app Max it, aiming to integrate a variety of mini-apps to enrich the ecosystem, improve customer experiences, and support African entrepreneurship. Full release…
4. Telefónica and Fini Company: Revealed a partnership for the ‘Fini360º Digitization’ project, aiming to digitalize all aspects of Fini’s operations to achieve Industry 4.0 standards, enhancing efficiency and product quality. Full release…
5. Telefónica and Ericsson: Shared details of a 5G-powered holographic concert by pianist Lang Lang, showcasing a blend of physical and virtual worlds through advanced holographic technology and 5G connectivity. Full release…
6. Deutsche Telekom (DT): Introduced “Magenta Security on Net,” a suite of network-based security products offering configuration-free protection from cyber threats directly through the telecommunications network. Full release…
7. Telefónica: José María Álvarez-Pallete discussed the transformative vision within the industry, highlighting the widespread adoption of Open Gateway and the need for collaborative efforts to shape the digital future. Full release…
8. Telefónica: Showcased the ‘Telefónica Open Gateway’ demo at MWC, demonstrating an immersive VR sports experience with the Copa del Rey acb basketball tournament, highlighting low latency streaming and a commitment to digital security. Full release…
9. Telefónica: Unveiled the ‘Smart Industry: Leading the Change’ demo, emphasizing its capabilities in digitizing industrial processes using technologies like 5G, edge computing, and blockchain to enhance competitiveness and sustainability. Full release…
10. trinamiX GmbH: Debuted its Consumer Spectroscopy solution, integrating a near-infrared spectrometer into smartphones for non-invasive health and beauty biomarker measurements, promising personalized consumer insights. Full release…
11. Deutsche Telekom: Showcased AI integration in communication, including AI-powered smartphones and innovative router concepts under “Concept T,“ and highlighted advancements in 5G infrastructure and network-based security solutions. Full release…
12. Telefónica: Introduced the Telefónica Edge Haptic Arena, an immersive gaming experience using XR graphics and haptic technology, demonstrating the potential of its network for high-quality XR experiences. Full release…
13. Telefónica and TikTok: Announced a strategic partnership to utilize Telefónica’s network capabilities to enhance TikTok user security and experience in Brazil, focusing on an improved onboarding process. Full release…
14. Telefónica and Microsoft: Announced the integration of Azure AI Studio into Telefónica Kernel 2.0, enhancing its capabilities with generative AI to transform key tasks and ensure privacy compliance. Full release…
15. Global Telco AI Alliance (GTAA): Formed by Deutsche Telekom, e& Group, Singtel, SoftBank Corp., and SK Telecom to develop Large Language Models (LLMs) customized for telecommunications, aiming to enhance customer interactions through digital assistants. Full release…
16. Ericsson and Intel: Unveiled advancements in core network energy efficiency, demonstrating significant performance increases and energy savings in core network servers using Intel® Xeon® Next-Gen processors. Full release…
17. Optus and Ericsson: Implemented dynamic energy efficiency software solutions in Optus’s 5G mobile network, achieving substantial energy savings without compromising network coverage. Full release…
18. Ericsson and Telefónica: Introduced an initiative for enhanced 5G services through on-demand network slicing, allowing subscribers to customize their service experience with premium subscriptions. Full release…
19. Telefónica: Announced its participation in MWC Barcelona 2024 under the theme ‘100 Years Leading Change,’ showcasing its latest connectivity solutions, sustainable technologies, and transformative services. Full release…
20. trinamiX GmbH and Continental: Unveiled innovative Face Authentication technology for vehicles, offering secure and contactless vehicle access and ignition through biometric authentication. Full release…
21. Deutsche Telekom: Emphasized innovation, entertainment, and brand immersion at MWC 2024, showcasing interactive installations like “Telekom Super Soccer” and advancements in AI and satellite-based IoT connectivity. Full release…
22. Telefónica: Announced a new open innovation strategy at the ‘Four years from now’ (4YFN) event, evolving Wayra to encompass all startup investment initiatives and showcasing its commitment to open innovation. Full release…
23. Vodafone: Introduced HyperRealityHub, 5G Network in a Box advancements, and new network APIs at MWC 2024, focusing on immersive experiences, enhanced network capabilities, and developer empowerment. Full release…
24. Nokia: Launched MX Workmate, a suite of AI-powered tools for industrial workers to improve communication, safety, and productivity in operational technology environments. Full release…
25. Vodafone, Samsung, and AMD: Demonstrated an end-to-end data call using AMD’s new processor on an Open RAN platform, highlighting Vodafone’s commitment to the Open RAN ecosystem and innovation in network capabilities. Full release…
26. HORSE and Telefónica Tech: Partnered to enhance cybersecurity at HORSE’s Valladolid plant with the deployment of Aristeo, a solution to detect and analyze threats, ensuring security against cyber-attacks. Full release…
27. Capra Robotics, Deutsche Telekom, and Swift Navigation: Collaborated to enhance the capabilities of Capra’s mobile robots with precise positioning technology and seamless connectivity, addressing challenges in various industries. Full release…
28. trinamiX GmbH: In addition to its Face Authentication technology for vehicles, trinamiX has also introduced Consumer Spectroscopy, integrating a sensor into smartphones for non-invasive measurements of health and beauty indicators, offering personalized insights and recommendations. Full release…

These announcements from MWC Barcelona 2024 reflect the European tech industry’s forward-thinking approach, focusing on enhancing digital infrastructure, user experiences, and sustainable growth across telecommunications, entertainment, manufacturing, and beyond. Please also note that the announcements listed above include only the news that have been released via EuropaWire during the month of February 2024 and the list is certainly not exhaustive.

SOURCE: EuropaWire