MWC26 opens as cybercrime costs soar

A $7.6 trillion industry just got told to stop coasting and start tackling its biggest vulnerabilities head-on.

MWC26 Barcelona kicks off

• MWC26 Barcelona opened as the largest global connectivity event.
• GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath delivered the opening keynote.
• His three priorities: standalone network investment, inclusive AI, and a safer digital future.
• Mobile connectivity reached 5.8 billion people last year.

Mobile Economy 2026 report highlights

• Mobile tech generated $7.6 trillion in economic value during 2025.
• Projections peg that figure at $11.3 trillion by 2030.
• Over three billion people remain unconnected despite 96% broadband coverage.
• 5G will power 57% of all mobile connections by 2030.

Jobs, revenue, and spending outlook

• Fifty million jobs worldwide were supported by the mobile ecosystem in 2025.
• Operator revenues should climb from $1.19 trillion to $1.36 trillion by 2030.
• Capital expenditure across the period hits a projected $1.2 trillion.

Cybercrime threat looming large

• Global cybercrime costs are forecast to balloon from $9.22 trillion to $15.63 trillion by 2029.
• Over 90% of operators already rate the threat environment as high or very high.
• MWC26 runs through 5 March 2026 with keynotes streaming live.