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Barcelona named mobile capital

The city of Barcelona could bring in as much as $5bn after being named the first ‘Mobile World Capital’ by GSMA.

The city, which already hosts the association’s Mobile World Congress event, will hold the title for six years from 2012. It will see the organisation develop further programmes and activities to benefit local consumers and the global mobile industry.

Barcelona expects the title to bring in $431.7m in the first year and $5bn during the seven-year reign. Milan, Munich and Paris also submitted bids.

“Barcelona demonstrated that it deserves the title of the Mobile World Capital with its combination of outstanding exhibition and conference facilities, transportation and hospitality infrastructure, and the strong support of the public and private sectors,” said GSMA chief executive John Hoffman.

Barcelona will continue to host the World Congress event, which attracts more than 60,000 attendees, as well as the Mobile World Centre which comprises of permanent and temporary exhibitions to highlight culture and technological innovation. Meanwhile, its Mobile World Festival involves a range of activities, including sports events, music festivals and film awards. 

Josh Colley, London