MWC to bar some Russian companies from next week’s show

The GSMA, which puts on the world’s largest annual mobile connectivity show (aka Mobile World Congress) has confirmed it will ban some Russian companies from exhibiting at the Barcelona-based conference which is due to kick off on Monday.

However, at the time of writing, the telco industry body is still intending to allow Russian presence at the show.

Russia’s participation at MWC is being partially restricted by the GSMA following the country’s invasion of Ukraine early yesterday morning.

At the time of writing, Russian tanks and armed forces are reported to be closing in on Ukraine’s capital Kiev — following earlier artillery bombardments hammering the country from air, land and sea.

A spokesman for the GSMA declined to specify whether all Russian companies, including carriers, would be banned from attending MWC — pointing to a statement reported earlier by Reuters in which it says there would be no Russian pavilion at this year’s event.

“The GSMA will continue to cooperate with international sanctions against Russia,” the spokesman added.

The full statement on the GSMA website reads:

The GSMA strongly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The situation is fast-moving, and we understand that various governments are considering broader sanctions against Russia. In light of this emerging situation and considering the tragic loss of life, MWC seems immaterial under the circumstances. MWC is a unifying event with a vision to convene the mobile ecosystem to progress ways and means that connectivity can ensure people, industry, and society thrive.

The GSMA follows all government sanctions and policies resulting from this situation. There will be no Russian Pavilion at MWC22. Security for the event is constantly reviewed and adjusted as information emerges.

Typically MWC country pavilions showcase a number of smaller companies in close confines.

However larger exhibitors — including companies with Russian links, such as telco VimpelCom — may pay the GSMA to exclusively occupy a more prime chunk of real estate on the show floor.

And it appears the GSMA is not prepared to shut out these wealthier Russian companies unless sanctions force its hand.

The European Council’s Foreign Affairs Council is currently meeting to try to secure agreement on a second sanctions package targeting Russia — which the bloc’s president said yesterday would target strategic sectors of its economy, including access to “crucial” technologies.