Intel, Vivo and NTT Docomo join Amazon and Sony as the latest global tech companies to pull out of the Mobile World Congress 2020 in Barcelona, Spain, amidst fears surrounding the Coronavirus outbreak. They now join the likes of LG, ZTE, Erricson and Nvidia who have also made the decision to ditch the event.
ICYMI: The World Mobile Congress is said to be the biggest annual technology trade show which is set to host hundreds of tech enthusiasts and major industry players. However, the last few months have seen the world plagued by a deadly virus – making companies question their initial decision to attend.
Despite growing fears, reports suggest that the show will ban visitors who have recently travelled to China. And in fact, the region’s digital policy councillor, Jordi Puignero, even took to local radio to ensure the public that the Catalan regional government was “taking measures so that everything proceeds as normal”.
He added that “there is no reason to not attend”.
However, the risk is just far too great for some of the industries biggest players. In a series of statements Intel, Vivo and NTT all explain why they’ve made the decision to ditch the congress:
Published by Venturebeat, an Intel spokesperson says “The safety and wellbeing of all our employees and partners is our top priority, and we have withdrawn from this year’s Mobile World Congress out of an abundance of caution”.
“NTT said they had withdrawn after taking into consideration the safety of customers, partners and staff,” reports Reuters.
And wrapping up today’s list of withdrawals, The Verge writes “Vivo, citing concerns with the health and safety of its employees and the public, is withdrawing the debut of its new Apex 2020 concept phone from MWC”. However, the company suggests that it will soon issue revised launch plans.
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