Mobile World Live is tracking the ongoing impact of Covid-19 (coronavirus) on the industry: this concise blog will be updated daily as we track how operators and major players are adapting to, and helping tackle, the spread of the virus.

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30 JUNE, 2020:

29 JUNE:

  • Vodafone UK urged the government to prioritise 5G rollout as part of its recovery plan, arguing the technology can deliver an economic boost by transforming how people access vital services.

26 JUNE:

25 JUNE:

  • Web Summit organisers pushed dates back by a month and plotted a virtual element, as Portuguese health authorities continue to monitor the pandemic and restrictions on mass gatherings remain.

24 JUNE:

23 JUNE:

  • Foxconn chairman Liu Young said India remained a bright spot for the contract manufacturer despite production hits due to the outbreak, Reuters reported.
  • Vodacom Business and Microsoft partnered up to provide a digital education platform, to supply demand for online learning tools as schools remain closed.
  • France’s contact-tracing app StopCovid was downloaded 1.9 million times since launching on 2 June, but sent only 14 notifications, Bloomberg reported.

22 JUNE:

19 JUNE:

  • A resurgence in cases in four US states resulted in Apple planning to reclose 11 stores.

18 JUNE:

17 JUNE:

  • Technology conference Web Summit will go ahead with its in person event later this year in Lisbon.

16 JUNE:

  • Chris Shelton, president of the Communications Workers of America union, accused AT&T of “dismissing the troops” and “adding to the pain” of a recession caused by the pandemic, as the operator plotted job cuts.
  • EU member states agreed interoperability standards for contact-tracing apps to jump-start tourism in the bloc.
  • Ericsson doubled its 5G subscription forecast for 2020 to more than 190 million, predicting uptake in China will offset hits in the US and Europe.
  • The EU and 14 nations formed the Global Partnership on AI task force, with immediate plans to explore how the technology can aid in recovery from the pandemic.

15 JUNE:

  • GSMA cancelled its third major event of the year, MWC Los Angeles, citing travel restrictions and health concerns.
  • Orange CEO Stephane Richard continued to seek ways to shrug off the uncertainty created by the virus, with reports the operator could detail expansion in Africa in the coming weeks.
  • Telefonica chief Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete stressed the importance of next-generation technology in recovering from the effects of the pandemic, referring to the operator as a “social reference” in helping businesses, culture, education and employment.
  • Germany announced its contact-tracing app was ready to be rolled out this week and Japan said its Apple and Google-based effort will follow next week.

12 JUNE:

11 JUNE:

  • Bell Canada launched commercial 5G service in five of the country’s largest cities a little more than a month after putting the move on hold due to the pandemic.
  • Telefonica chief Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete pitched a cloud deal with Google as a way to aid Spain’s economic recovery from the pandemic.

10 JUNE:

  • The European Commission asked online platforms to provide monthly reports on their actions to limit disinformation and any related advertising, urging them to increase their cooperation with researchers and fact-checkers in all Member States.

9 JUNE:

  • The GSMA launched a digital event series, GSMA Thrive, after the pandemic forced it to cancel several of its events.

8 JUNE:

  • GSMA Intelligence predicted IoT net additions in 2020 would almost halve year-on-year due to the impact of the outbreak, but stood by long-term forecasts for overall connection numbers.
  • Twitter began offering links to news sites offering facts dispelling theories there is a link between 5G and the virus.
  • Canada postponed its next 5G spectrum sale until June 2021 to help operators prioritise delivering connectivity during the pandemic.

5 JUNE:

  • Three UK plans to reopen more than 250 stores across England on 15 June, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to follow once it receives government guidance.
  • Broadcom CEO Hock Tan warned the company’s fiscal 2020 revenue would be impacted by a major product cycle delay at a large North American mobile phone customer, fuelling speculation of delays to Apple’s next iPhone launch.
  • Telecom Italia reportedly agreed further job reductions which would bring the total number of staff departing the operator in 2020 to 3,400, as the company scrambles to adapt to the financial impact of the outbreak.

4 JUNE:

  • Ericsson prepared to halt work on North American towers to protect staff ahead of an expected protest against 5G technology following misinformation connecting it to the pandemic.

3 JUNE:

  • Vodafone UK will reopen 65 retail outlets from 15 June, with the potential of 300 more a week later.
  • US politicians argued local authorities don’t have enough time to adequately review a Federal Communications Commision 5G tower plan as they focus on combating the pandemic.
  • Telefonica and heavyweights from other industries launched a programme in search of projects that could boost economic recovery.

1 JUNE:

  • O2 UK aims to get stores in England open on 15 June, but is awaiting official details before doing the same in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
  • Mexican broadcaster Televisa unveiled its MVNO service early as it looked to capitalise on demand for lower tariff prices.
  • Gartner joined other analyst companies in reporting the global smartphone sector saw its largest annual slump in Q1 this year.

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CLICK HERE FOR DEVELOPMENTS DURING FEBRUARY AND MARCH