HMD Global and Nokia have announced its decision to withdraw from Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona citing fears over the outbreak of coronavirus.
HMD Global said in a statement: “MWC Barcelona has always been a key event in our annual calendar and we were very excited to showcase our new products to our partners, customers, media and fans.
“However, the health and safety of our employees, customers, and stakeholders is our highest priority.
“We believe the prudent decision is to cancel our participation at Mobile World Congress and want to express our sincere thanks to the GSMA and other authorities for their tireless efforts to address the challenges resulting from Covid-19, and they have our full support as they move forward.”
Nokia has also followed firms including Ericsson, Vivo, and Sony in pulling out of the annual event.
In a statement released earlier today they said: “While the health and safety of our employees is our absolute priority, we also recognize that we have a responsibility to the industry and our customers.
“In view of this, we have taken the necessary time to evaluate a fast-moving situation, engage with the GSMA and other stakeholders, regularly consult external experts and authorities, and plan to manage risks based on a wide range of scenarios.
“The conclusion of that process is that we believe the prudent decision is to cancel our participation at Mobile World Congress.”
