The GSM Association (GSMA) representing the interests of mobile network operators worldwide announced Wednesday that it has postponed the 2021 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, to June 28 and July 1 next year.

MWC21 Barcelona was initially scheduled for the first week of March 2021, and moving the event to a later date will allow the GSMA to "contend with external circumstances related to COVID-19", said the industry organization in a press release.

Headquartered in London, the GSMA said it is "committed and investing so that MWC21 Barcelona can go ahead safely and offer the unique, unmissable experience that has made it the world's most important mobile ecosystem convening platform".

The MWC is the world's largest annual gathering for the mobile industry.

MWC21 Barcelona will also have virtual elements to complement the overwhelming demand to convene physically, according to the GSMA.

The GSMA unites more than 750 operators with almost 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors.

It produces the industry leading MWC events, which are also held annually in Los Angeles, the United States, and Shanghai, China, besides Barcelona.

Under the revised schedule, MWC21 Shanghai will now take place from Feb. 23 to Feb. 25 in 2021, and MWC21 Los Angeles remains as planned.

"With a continuously changing global outlook and following consultation with our board and membership and our top exhibitors, we have taken the careful decision to reschedule MWC21 Shanghai in February, and MWC21 Barcelona in June," said Mats Granryd, GSMA director general. "The health and safety of our exhibitors, attendees, staff and the people of Barcelona are of paramount importance."

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