LIVE FROM GSMA MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS 2012: FC Barcelona has launched a global search for mobile applications that enhance the experience of watching or following football matches. The news broke at a press conference today where the city’s football club, one of the world’s leading sporting brands, announced its support for the Mobile World Capital initiative.
 
Mobile app developers worldwide have been invited to submit proposals through a special website at www.fcbapps.com.  Ideas will be reviewed by a panel of experts and winning applications will be granted an official license by the club.  Successful developers will also be supported in commercialising their apps and given access to the two million supporters who interact with the club through social networks.
 
The club is also supporting the Mobile World Capital’s “Mobile Entrepreneurship Competition” programme which is charged with promoting mobile start-up creation and relocation in Barcelona. "When two important brands meet, its a win-win situation," said Sandro Rosell, President of FC Barcelona.
 
“Barça’s commitment to new technologies in recent times has been clear, but we believe there is still a long way to go,” said Rosell.  “Today’s initiative will allow us to offer our members and fans better services through mobile applications,’ he said.
 
Dídac Lee, Director Responsible for New Technologies at FC Barcelona, highlighted the potential of mobile apps when he said, “There are no borders in the virtual world.  It’s easier to sell an app to a supporter in China than it is to sell a physical product.”
 
He also revealed that the club has entered into an agreement with the R&D division of Telefonica to identify solutions to enhance 3G mobile coverage and capacity on match days within the Camp Nou Stadium. “We want to have the first stadium in the world to solve this problem,” said Lee.