Mobile world congress kicks off

THIS year’s edition of the Mobile World Congress, which has drawn thousands of participants from around the world, has kicked off in Barcelona, Spain.

Delegates have converged in the European city to showcase new products in the sector as well as discuss new developments in the mobile business industry, with the global economic recession expected to feature prominently in the discussions during the four-day congress.

“The 2009 Mobile World Congress is expected to attract approximately 50 000 attendees. It is an opportunity to conduct business, discuss the hottest trends in mobile communications, and help define the industry’s path to continued growth,” the organizers said.

On Monday (today) Microsoft Corporation. Chief Executive Steve Ballmer was expected to introduce the company’s mobile strategy and unveil an app store for Microsoft-powered handsets.

On the other hand, Nokia, the biggest player in the industry was expected to unveil a similar venture and a new model of its E75 phone, which has a slide-out full keyboard and is expected to go for sale in March.

The GSMA Mobile World Congress, formerly 3GSM World Congress, combines the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry with a stimulating and insightful congress that brings together prominent leaders and personalities from mobile operators and equipment vendors, as well as Internet and entertainment professionals.

The current edition comes amid forecasts that the mobile industry will slump by nine percent this year.

Players in the industry have cut thousands of jobs to weather the storm.