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BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The GSMA today reported that more than 47,000* visitors from 189 countries attended the GSMA Mobile World Congress, the leading event for the mobile communications industry. The four- day conference and exhibition attracted executives from the world's largest and most influential mobile operators, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies and media and entertainment organisations, as well as government delegations. 50 per cent of Mobile World Congress attendees hold C-level positions, including more than 2,800 CEOs.

"We're extremely pleased with the turnout that we've seen this week. The strong level of attendance, particularly among the C-suite of the world's leading communications companies, demonstrates that Mobile World Congress continues to be the place where the industry comes to do business," commented John Hoffman, CEO, GSMC Limited. "The mobile industry stands out as one of the few vibrant sectors in a tumultuous world economy, and this week's Congress emphasises the important role mobile has in creating new opportunities that will drive future growth."

During the event, leaders from companies including AT&T, China Mobile, China Unicom, Ericsson, Microsoft Corp., MySpace, Nokia, Telefonica, Telenor, Verizon Communications and Vodafone, among others, gathered to address head-on the challenges presented by the global economic slowdown and outline strategies for sustaining growth. Additionally, the Congress delved into the world of mobile entertainment, with the one-day Mobile Backstage event featuring the MOFILM Mobile Short Film Festival.

The 2009 Congress featured 1,300 exhibiting companies and occupied more than 57,000 square metres of exhibition and hospitality space, a footprint 11 per cent larger than that of the previous year. Nearly 2,400 international print, Web and broadcast media attended the event to analyse and report on the many significant industry announcements made at the Congress.

"Barcelona has again been a tremendous host city for the Mobile World Congress," continued Hoffman. "We thank the city, Catalonia, Fira Montjuic and all our Barcelona partners for being such warm and efficient hosts. We would also like to thank our sponsors, particularly our Platinum sponsor LG and our Mobile Innovation Platinum sponsor Generalitat de Catalunya for their support."

The Mobile World Congress' sister event, the Mobile Asia Congress, will be held in Hong Kong in Autumn 2009 and will feature a thought-leading conference programme that will explore the major strategic issues and opportunities facing the mobile industry as it moves forward. Event dates for the Mobile Asia Congress will be forthcoming.

Note to editors

*This figure includes all attendees for the event, including delegates, exhibitors, contractors and media

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites more than 750 of the world's mobile operators, as well as 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA is focused on innovating, incubating and creating new opportunities for its membership, all with the end goal of driving the growth of the mobile communications industry. For more information, please visit http://www.gsmworld.com