GSMA MWC26 Shanghai Set to Gather Global Mobile Community as Mobile is Forecasted to Add Over $2 Trillion to China’s Economy by 2030

23 June 2026, Shanghai – As the global connectivity community prepares to meet at MWC26 Shanghai, the GSMA today published new research revealing that China currently accounts for over 40% of global 5G connections. Mobile technologies generated $1.5 trillion in economic value in 2025, equivalent to 7.2% of GDP, and are expected to rise to $2.1 trillion by 2030.  

Ahead of tomorrow’s event, the GSMA gathered partners, sponsors, and members of the press to launch the Mobile Economy China 2026 report, as well as preview the innovations, live experiences, and frontier technology attendees can expect over the next three days. This included a sneak peek of the highly anticipated Humanoid Robot Football Penalties Challenge, where teams will put their robots through their paces across two days of competition, as well as the official launch of the first GLOMOs Asia. 

Sihan Bo Chen, Head of Greater China at GSMA, said: “China now accounts for more than 40% of global 5G connections, with mobile technologies generating $1.5 trillion in economic value in 2025. Those numbers tell the story of an industry that’s moved far beyond connectivity into something much more ubiquitous: a platform for productivity, AI-driven services and sustainable economic growth. Seeing that come to life in person, through the people living and breathing it, is what makes MWC Shanghai so special. Tomorrow cannot come soon enough.” 

Renowned tech leaders including AgiBot, Honor, Huawei, Siemens China, Vodafone Asia and ZTE will join a packed speaker line up exploring AI, robotics and the future of connected industries. 

Also, on the show floor, CircuitX, a GSMA Foundry initiative, will bring Formula E to MWC. Attendees can experience the thrill of the race from 10 Formula E simulators, get an up-close look at a Gen3 Evo car fitted with a 5G modem and antenna with live onboard footage streaming, and catch exclusive behind-the-scenes content shot at the 2026 Sanya E-Prix – all on the eve of the Shanghai E-Prix.   

Across several immersive zones, MWC26 Shanghai will spotlight the full scale of the ecosystem’s ambition and most exciting technological advances. These include Mobile AI Innovation Frontiers, which will feature a full-stack showcase of China’s mobile AI leadership, from advanced chipsets and frontier models to AI-native hardware; while the 6G Zone makes its global MWC debut, offering a comprehensive view of the latest 6G developments. Meanwhile, Constellations of the Future, MWC Shanghai’s first-ever dedicated satellite industry zone, will spotlight the growing role of space-ground integration. 

Mobile Economy China 2026 Report key findings 

• China now accounts for more than 40% of global 5G connections, with 5G-Advanced now commercialised across more than 330 mainland cities and surpassing 30* million users 
• Mobile technologies and services generated $1.5 trillion in economic value in 2025 (7.2% of GDP), projected to reach $2.1 trillion by 2030 
• Despite 91% internet connectivity, a usage gap of 8% remains, representing millions of people yet to benefit fully from China's digital economy 
• The mobile ecosystem supported 7.9 million jobs in 2025 
• Operator revenues are projected to grow from $191 billion in 2025 to $222.8 billion by 2030, with $194.1 billion in capex planned for the period 

Registration for MWC26 Shanghai is still open. Find the latest information and news live from MWC Shanghai via the Press Zone.   

-ENDS- 

*Following an amendment to the Mobile Economy China 2026 report after it was first published on 24th June 2026, we have updated the press release to align with the correct data. 

About GSMA  

The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, tackling today’s biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the world’s largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events. We invite you to find out more at gsma.com 

Media Contacts  

GSMA Press Office pressoffice@gsma.com