SEOUL – The number of South Korean companies participating in the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, the world's largest telecommunications technology exhibition, is only half of that of Chinese companies.

According to the Korea Information and Communications Technology Industry Association (KICTA) on the 25th, 344 Chinese companies are participating in this year's MWC. The number of domestic companies is 187, about two times less than that of China. In addition, 744 companies from Spain, 443 from the United States, 176 from the United Kingdom, 105 from France, and 104 from Germany are participating in MWC.

China is sending even more companies to MWC than last year. The number of participating companies alone has increased by 56. In contrast, the increase in the number of Korean companies was limited to 22.

In Korea, various companies, including the three mobile telecommunication companies (SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus), as well as startups, are participating. 109 large, medium, and small enterprises and 78 startups are showcasing their technologies.

MWC is the world's largest telecommunications technology exhibition, called the 'CES of ICT'. It is hosted by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), to which about 800 mobile telecommunication operators from around the world are members.

This year's MWC will be held in Barcelona, Spain from March 3rd to 6th. MWC 2025 is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors to the site, with 2,700 companies from 205 countries around the world participating.

Lee Han-beom, Senior Vice Chairman of KICTA, said, "MWC is an event where you can expect results such as contracts with mobile telecommunication operators and global IT companies, and attracting investment in startups." He added, "We need to improve support strategies for the government, institutions, and universities, and a MWC control tower."