Amazon and Sony denied participation in Mobile World Congress 2020 due to Coronavirus Outbreak

Highlights

Mobile World Congress 2020 is the biggest mobile technology trade show, scheduled on 24-27 Feb in Barcelona, Spain.

Earlier, Nvidia, LG, ZTE, and Ericsson have already step back from the event. Now, Amazon and Sony pull out of 2020 Mobile Congress.

These companies cancel their presence due to Global Emergency i.e. Coronavirus outbreak all over the world.

Mobile World Congress 2020

Mobile World Congress 2020 will be taking place this month in between 24-27 Feb. However, this year the MWC is organized in Barcelona, Spain. In fact, it is the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, organized by the GSM Association. It is also famous for conferences held by prominent executives of the mobile industry.  

Why Sony and Amazon step back from the Event?

Earlier, LG, ZTE, Ericsson, and Nvidia already step back from the various events at Mobile World Congress. However, Sony and Amazon also set their name on the list of companies to denied participating in the event. It is said that the Coronavirus outbreak is the reason behind this. 

Recently, Sony posted on its website, “Sony has been closely monitoring the evolving situation following the novel coronavirus outbreak, which was declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization on January 30th, 2020”. Also, it added, “As we place the utmost importance on the safety and wellbeing of our customers, partners, media, and employees, we have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from exhibiting and participating at MWC 2020 in Barcelona, Spain”.

Amazon higher authorities reported that “Due to the outbreak and continued concerns about novel coronavirus, Amazon will withdraw from exhibiting and participating in Mobile World Congress 2020, scheduled for Feb. 24-27 in Barcelona, Spain”.

Previous History of Amazon and Sony at Mobile World Congress

As we see back, Sony often uses MWC as a platform to showcase its most important mobile devices. In fact, last year, Sony revealed its Xperia 1 flagship phone at the show. “But this year, we will instead make its announcements online through its Xperia YouTube channel”, said Sony. 

However, Amazon has not visited the event that often in history; neither presented its devices at MWC. 

Coronavirus Safety Measures at MWC

Yesterday, the GSM Association, which organizes MWC reported about the steps to be taken to avoid the spread of the coronavirus further. “No travelers from China’s Hubei province, where the outbreak began, will be permitted access to the event, while anyone who’s visited other regions of China will need to prove that they have been out of the country for 14 days beforehand”, said GSM Association. Further, it added, “With MWC set to start in two weeks today, that is likely to complicate the plans of several Chinese companies that were planning to attend”.