MWC 2026: everything we saw at the world's biggest mobile show

Owain Williams reporting in. I've just landed in a warm and bustling Barcelona. Looking forward to seeing what MWC has to offer tomorrow.

Good morning from Barcelona! MWC 2026 opens its door today to the thousands of attendees, so I'll be heading over shortly to start exploring the halls and see what's happening at the show.

Mike Moore, Deputy Editor at TechRadar Pro here - while Owain is on the ground in Barcelona, I'll be rounding up some of the mountain of news that's emerging around MWC 2026, so stay tuned for all the latest updates as we see them!

Vodafone signs deal with Amazon LEO satellites to boost European mobile coverage

Vodafone is teaming up with Amazon to boost 4G and 5G mobile coverage across Europe and Africa using the latter's low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Amazon Leo, which has over 200 satellites currently in orbit, with "hundreds" more set for launch soon, can offer connections of up to 1 Gbps for download and 400 Mbps for upload. The service will first look to connect base stations in Germany and other European countries in 2026, before later rolling out across Africa via Vodafone's Vodacom subsidiary, saving time and expense of installing long fibre-based or fixed wireless links, especially in rural areas.

GSMA and European Space Agency announce huge funding push for AI, NTN, D2D and 6G

The GSMA and the European Space Agency (ESA) today announced new funding worth up to €100 million for projects looking to accelerate the convergence of space and mobile industries. The move looks to give the development of next-gen networks in space a much-needed boost, improving global connectivity. It will focus on areas such as using AI to orchestrate dynamic spectrum and traffic across multi-orbit satellite and terrestrial networks, supporting D2D pilots that deliver standards-based connectivity directly to consumer smartphones and IoT devices globally, and focusing on early-stage 6G technologies, such as edge intelligence and advanced IoT, by emphasising areas where satellite-terrestrial convergence will play a crucial role.

BT and Ericsson widen 5G work to boost networks across UK

Ericsson is introducing new 5G Standalone capabilities to BT networks in a bid to give UK businesses more predictable, secure and application-aware connectivity. By adding Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) and Network Exposure Function (NEF) into BT’s 5G core, the companies say they are both moving toward fully dynamic network slicing and secure network APIs, helping enterprises to integrate connectivity directly into operations, from prioritised healthcare systems to low-latency logistics platforms and real-time fraud prevention.

A dispatch from Owain - he has arrived at the Fira on what looks like a cloudy day in Barcelona! More from him coming soon....

Nvidia joins with top telecom firms to pledge 6G support across open and secure platforms

Nvidia has thrown its support behind the companies developing next-gen 6G networks, joining with some of the world's biggest operators and infrastructure providers. The joint pledge says it will make sure 6G infrastructure is "open, intelligent, resilient and accelerates innovation and safeguards global trust," and involves the likes of BT Group, Cisco, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, Nokia, SK Telecom, SoftBank Corp. and T-Mobile.

“AI is redefining computing and driving the largest infrastructure buildout in human history — and telecommunications is next,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “Together with a global coalition of industry leaders, NVIDIA is building AI-RAN to transform the world’s telecom networks into AI infrastructure everywhere.”

Lenovo unveils a new robot working buddy with a face that we hope gets a full release

Now for something a little different - Lenovo has unveiled its latest tranche of concept devices at MWC 2026, including a desktop robot device which can help you tackle work tasks. The AI Workmate Concept is designed as a prototype working on how to better integrate voice commands and LLMs into offices and home workplaces, aiming to streamline collaboration and basic tasks such as scanning and summarizing documents and creating presentations. It might not ever see a general release, but it's a fun concept.

Qualcomm introduces Wi-Fi 8 chips with a startling speed boost

Our colleague from TechRadar are also at MWC 2026, and earlier wrote about the latest release from Qualcomm, which has unveiled its first Wi-Fi 8 chips. Offering a huge speed boost over the previous Wi-Fi 7 generation, the new FastConnect 8800 chips will provide phones, laptops and tablets with fastest speeds (possibly up to potential peak speeds of up to 11.6Gbps) and reliable connections across the board.

It also announced new Dragonwing networking platforms for enterprises and consumers, with the Dragonwing N8 and F8 platforms designed to bring Wi-Fi 8 to home routers and mesh network systems.

Owain here - I'm at the Lenovo stand, checking out some more of its latest releases.

I'm a big fan of the new generations of the Lenovo Thinkpad T14 and T16 released for MWC 2026. Built with a modular focus, helping IT teams easily fix and upgrade them with minimal cost - both have received a score of 10/10 for repairability from IFIXIT, hopefully we'll get to try them out soon!

I've been getting to grips with some of the hardware behind Huawei's networks for SMEs ahead of two forums I'll be attending on the topic today and tomorrow.

I've somehow made it to lunch before having my first coffee at the event.

This one is from the press area, very small, tastes ok. 4/10.

Stay tuned for more important coffee updates from MWC 2026.

I managed to get hands on with Lenovo’s working buddy. I watched a demo of it being used to quickly and easily sign and print a document.

It's certainly interesting, although seems limited in its abilities at the moment.

According to the Lenovo rep it can't make me a coffee, but could order me one.

Currently sat in on Huawei’s product and solution launch. The key theme is moving from the era of ‘mobile internet’ to the era of the ‘Internet of Agents (IoA)’.

Huawei claims 35% of calls suffer from noise, suggesting that AI driven ‘pure voice’ should be the new standard. A new approach with ‘assurance for VIP’ could also become a standard, although this would require a 100x increase in speed to achieve.

Telefónica is always a huge presence at MWC - as shown by King Felipe's visit to the stand this morning, and has once again shown off a number of new innovations across a variety of use cases.

This includes advanced emergency, security, and defense network based on dual-use technologies, for both civil and military environments, providing the coverage, bandwidth, low latency, and multiple connections needed to restore communications, coordinate various personnel, and facilitate medical efforts through various stages.

But it has also shown off its ‘Quantum Telco’ project, based on four pillars: Quantum-Safe communications, the creation of quantum ecosystems, applied quantum computing projects, and the creation of a cryptographic hub.

Huawei claims that although a large number of businesses (90%) are adopting AI, few (10%) are seeing a positive impact from doing so, identifying poor accuracy, speed, and memory/logic as the key reasons for this.

Mike here, tagging back in for Owain as he has a well-earned break.

Google looks to help bring AI agents to autonomous networks

Google has been at the forefront of AI agents in recent times, and is here at MWC outlining its work enabling next-gen networks.

Its latest agents will allow telco providers to build and maintain digital twins of their networks which can then be used to simulate how they will operate under real-world conditions. This will allow telcos to test the impact of upgrades before they’re implemented, saving huge amounts of time and money.

"The agentic AI era is here," the company says. "By embedding AI into the fabric of a telco’s network, we’re helping operators transform from connectivity utilities into intelligent service providers that continue to delight customers."

And speaking of AI...

GSMA unveils Open Telco AI in a bid to boost development of telco‑grade services

The GSMA has revealed Open Telco AI, a global industry initiative designed to accelerate "telco-grade" AI through open collaboration across operators, vendors, developers and academic institutions. Progress will be tracked through the Telco Capability Index, which measures model performance across an expanding set of telecom‑specific tasks, with the likes of AT&T and AMD signed up to make "significant contributions".

Qualcomm lays the foundation for 6G with first R19-ready modem

Qualcomm has unveiled a chipset with an industry-first 3GPP Release 19-ready modem, marking a crucial stepping stone to 6G connectivity. The Qualcomm X105 5G Modem-RF offers an as-yet-unmatched 14.8 Gbps download and 4.2 Gbps upload peak data speeds, thanks to its integrated fifth-generation AI processor, which utilizes agentic AI in the modem to improve user experience in mobile gaming, video calling and social media.

We're reaching the end of day one here, and I'm (Mike) signing off for the day in the UK - but join us tomorrow for all the updates and news from MWC 2026 day two!

We're heading into day two at MWC Barcelona.

Yesterday felt 'quiet' according to several MWC veterans I spoke to, likely due to travel disruption. That said, I personally struggle to imagine the halls being more packed than they were.

After several great sessions yesterday, I'm hoping to spend more time on the exhibition floor today, scouting out the latest in connectivity and tech.

Mike here, checking in from the news desk - there's been lots of big news already at MWC, but we're not done yet, by any means...

Starlink and Deutsche Telekom partner to launch satellite mobile service in Europe

Starlink and Deutsche Telekom have announced a partnership looking to launch a Europe-based satellite mobile service by 2028. The launch aims to use Starlink's capabilities to boost connectivity in remote areas, such as mountain ranges, or those with nature conservation requirements.

It will be the first in Europe to use Starlink’s second generation satellites, and hopes to cover 10 European countries - Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia.

Vodafone and Samsung reveal major step forward in Europe's AI telecom infrastructure

Samsung and Vodafone have announced the successful completion of the first call by a European operator using Samsung’s vRAN solution powered by Intel’s latest Xeon 6 system-on-chip. The move is a important step toward AI-native telecom infrastructure, and laying the groundwork for AI-native and 6G-ready infrastructure across Europe.

“Vodafone is focused on delivering the best possible customer experience by building a future-ready network,” said Marco Zangani, Director of Network Strategy and Architecture, Vodafone. “The test conducted with Samsung, alongside our implementation of open network architecture, supports this strategy, enabling us to introduce new 5G-Advanced services while enhancing energy efficiency and streamlining operations through automation and AI from the cell site to the edge of the network and in the core.”

Just talked to Intel about its partnership with Google Distributed Cloud, which is helping businesses measure and streamline interactions with customers.

I had a play with its demo that totaled my basket of fruit and candies using AI. Its camera also tracked metrics like which area I was shopping from, my dwell time, and where I was looking.

According to Intel, this solution is quicker and cheaper than using RFID tags.

I checked out the Oukitel WP63 earlier. This thing is more of a tool than a smart phone. It comes with a massive 20,000mAh battery that doubles as a power bank, a powerful LED light, and even has a built in electric ignitor.

Getting to grips with Blackview's new XPLORE 6. Powered by the Dimensity 9400+ platform, the phone features a periscope telephoto lens for pro-level imaging.

GSMA brings affordable smartphones to six African countries

As smartphone prices look set to reach an all time high, the GSMA has announced it will be piloting affordable 4G smartphones within the $30 and $40 price range in six Africa countries. The launch, across Nigeria, the DRC, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, marks the latest step in the GSMA’s flagship initiative, the Handset Affordability Coalition, which aims to democratize access to smartphones and close the usage gap, which sees three billion across the world unable to access to essential information and services.

Broadcom unveils VMware Telco Cloud to cut costs, power

Broadcom has revealed what it calls the "future" of its telco platform, promising major upgrades and updates across the board. VMware Telco Cloud Platform 9, built on VMware Cloud Foundation 9 with its own additional telco-specific capabilities, will empower telcos to lower power consumption and costs, cut down on memory and storage needs, and improve efficiency, governance and compliance through intelligent automation, integrated cost management, and proactive policy enforcement.

GSMA calls for greater oversight for direct to user LEO satellite service

A new paper from the GSMA has urged policymakers to take proactive steps to modernize regulatory frameworks around low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites used for mobile networks. The paper outlines five guiding principles to promote innovation, ensure consistent user protection across technologies, safeguard essential public-interest needs, support investment across communications networks, and build consumer trust.

Ericsson and Intel team up to speed the journey to 6G

Ericsson and Intel have revealed plans to pool their next-generation technology leadership to help accelerate ecosystem readiness for seamless transition to AI-native 6G deployments and use cases. The partnership will span mobile connectivity, cloud technologies, and compute capabilities across AI-driven RAN and packet core use cases, and platform level-security and network capabilities to help enhance ecosystem enablement and time-to-market for cloud-native solutions.

Welcome back to our live MWC 2026 coverage. It's our final day in Barcelona, so we'll be busy tracking down all those last hidden gems and interesting news stories, so stay tuned!

Dell is showcasing its new PowerEdge XR9700 that was announced last week. This is a first-of-its-kind outdoor server for cloud RAN and edge applications.

These servers are fully-enclosed, closed-loop liquid-cooled, and ruggedized, meaning they can take whatever the local environment throws at them.

Samsung has dedicated a large section of its MWC 2026 footprint to the Galaxy S26.

I went to hunt down the recently released 'enterprise edition' of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but to no avail. So, I took a look at the next best thing – the consumer edition.

The enterprise edition boasts the same hardware and even the same price tag as the consumer version, but also comes with Knox Suite, a dedicated tool that allows for secure enrollment and centralized oversight. It also boasts a 3-year enhanced warranty along with a guaranteed 2-year product lifecycle.

Both the consumer and enterprise versions of the Galaxy S26 Ultra feature a switchable privacy display mode and agentic AI (branded as 'Now Nudge') that promises to anticipate user needs, like surfacing relevant PDFs based on your GPS location or automatically scheduling follow-ups after a calendar event has ended.

After 3 days, over 50,000 steps, and surprisingly little coffee, I am now signing off on MWC 2026.

It's been a great event, and I'm already looking forward to MWC 2027 – hopefully my legs will have recovered by then.