GSMA announces 17 new partners for transformative MWC26 Shanghai
The GSMA has confirmed 17 new strategic partnerships for MWC26 Shanghai with major global companies and operators.
The partners announced include China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, and China BroadNet, reflecting the continued importance of domestic operators in advancing the mobile sector across the region.
Additional technology businesses to join the strategic partnership roster are CICT, HONOR, Huawei, Lenovo, Qualcomm, YOFC, and ZTE. The list is rounded out by organisations such as 5G-ACIA, AIIA, CHINA EV100, GTI, Mobile World Capital, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
With these additions, the GSMA is emphasising the role of MWC Shanghai in fostering global collaboration and accelerating the deployment of new communication technologies throughout China and the Asia Pacific. The GSMA, the organiser of MWC Shanghai, describes the latest edition as marking a transformative new era in the event's history.
Sihan Bo Chen, Head of Greater China, GSMA said: "In Chinese culture, 12 years is a complete cycle and with the 13th edition of MWC Shanghai, we invite the global digital ecosystem to enter a new, transformative era with us. MWC is the ideal platform to showcase China and Asia Pacific's tech innovation - from robotics and AI to 5G-Advanced and 6G - to an international audience."
"We are grateful to our strategic partners for their collaboration and strong endorsement. I look forward to announcing new partners in due course and welcoming our partners and attendees to MWC Shanghai in June 2026, where every conversation has the potential to spark something truly exciting."
MWC26 Shanghai will feature a range of thought leadership themes such as Intelligent Infrastructure, ConnectAI, and AI4Enterprise, setting the agenda for its main conference, summits, the GSMA Policy Leaders Forum, and 4YFN spaces.
The event will also introduce a number of new zones, including the following.
Mobile AI Innovation Frontiers
This zone will focus on the mobile-first AI ecosystem, underpinned by 5G-Advanced and edge networks. It will include live demonstrations of chipsets, AI servers, and hardware such as glasses, robots, phones, and vehicles.
Constellations of the Future
This initiative will focus on non-terrestrial networks, direct-to-device technologies, and satellite-mobile convergence. Marking the GSMA's first dedicated satellite industry zone, it will also feature discussions on the future of satellite communication in the mobile sector.
Global Innovation Pavilion
The pavilion is intended to be a hub for international collaboration, enabling countries, regions, and industry associations to connect with China and Asia Pacific's technology markets.
City Pavilions
Chinese and international cities have been invited to set up their own pavilions at the event to showcase local technological and economic progress and to promote investment and best practice sharing.
Digital Transformation Vertical Zones
These zones will focus on digital innovation's impact across key industries, covered sectors include intelligent connected vehicles, smart manufacturing, healthcare, education, fintech, sports, and entertainment.
The GSMA Board convened its annual meeting in Chengdu, China during the same week as the partnership announcement. Discussions covered the full spectrum of mobile industry innovation.
Vivek Badrinath, Director General, GSMA said: "China is an industry-leading market, particularly in terms of 5G roll-out and utilisation. I've had a range of insightful and productive conversations this week with the GSMA Board and our new strategic MWC Shanghai partners from across the mobile and technology ecosystem. These discussions focused on the breadth of innovation - from 5G monetisation, satellite and NTN, through to the impact of the GSMA's Open Gateway, and Mobile AI - and I thank them for their collaboration and support."
The previous MWC Shanghai event drew 45,000 in-person participants from 12,500 companies and 128 countries and territories, underscoring the event's position as a major platform for industry professionals across the globe.
The GSMA has also noted that registration is open for MWC25 Doha, featuring the inaugural Digital Leaders Programmeme in the Middle East, as well as for MWC26 Barcelona and M360 ASEAN later in the year.
