The announcement follows a number of companies withdrawing from the event over the past week.
In a statement to Bloomberg News GSMA’s CEO, John Hoffman, said, “The global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible” to hold the event.
GSMA had previously indicated it hoped to manage infection risks through collaborating with Spanish health authorities and other agencies to put several health and safety measures in place. Those measures included additional cleaning, advising attendees to adopt a 'no-handshake policy', not permitting access to travelers from China’s Hubei province, and implementing temperature screenings.
In an emailed statement, GSMA said host city parties respect and understand this decision, and they will work in unison and support each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions. It added that its "sympathies are with those affected in China, and all around the world".
The annual event has been since in Barcelona in 2006, with the GSMA convening the industry, governments, ministers, policymakers, operators and industry leaders across the broader ecosystem.
