From the sprawling Fira Gran Via, we bring images of LR partygoers, taxi lines and the realities of Barcelona

Craig Matsumoto, Editor-in-Chief, Light Reading

February 28, 2013

3 Min Read
More Photos: Mobile World Congress

BARCELONA -- Mobile World Congress 2013 -- Here we'll present our midweek photos of the sights and sounds of MWC. The sounds didn't photograph well, but the sights, such as this shot of the Samsung and ZTE stands, are nice. Keep clicking forward to see the LR evening reception, among other things.
Ericsson may have won the Biggest Stand competition, taking up a space bigger than some houses. This is just the front.
Strange iconography at Huawei's handsets stand in Hall 3. The purple clown on the wall scares us.
The Fira's eight halls line up inside a building reportedly more than a mile long. Moving walkways helped. A lot.
The edge of Hall 8, overlooking the city, was a nice place to put your feet up.
What's going on is a drive for Catalonia independence, much like what's happening in Quebec or Scotland. New political signs appeared every morning in the Fira's neighborhood.
Ericsson's Peter Linder (left) chats up Ray Le Maistre at the Fabric Moritz restaurant and microbrewery.
Now, a few shots from the Light Reading reception at 33 Brown. From the left, our own Phil Harvey (left, faceless), Caroline Chappel, Graham Finnie and Ray Le Maistre (who's texting or something) plan diabolical Light/Heavy Reading types of things.
Renee Stromberg of Tail-f gets to the front of the bar line. No wonder she's smiling.
Doug Makishima and Bill Burk of D2 Technologies pause before attacking the tapas spread.
Behold the MiNID, RAD Data's SFP-sized Ethernet demarc device ... and yes, they brought one to the LR party.
A street protest marched right past 33 Brown just as the LR party got going. We might try hiring them next year.
Back at the show, the press room looked way too much like Mission Control. Anyone saying "Houston, we have a problem" got slapped.
No explanation for these Docomo guys or why it looks like their mouths are stitched shut.
Fans of European coffee, don't despair: Starbucks was at MWC only as part of the Power Matters Alliance.
It's always raining at the Ooredoo (formerly Qtel Group) booth. Bring galoshes.
Spot the cupcakes, the screen-wiping squares, a candy bowl, a smarphone recharging station and a driving game. The Tieto stand made you glad to be there.
Amdocs Zone. Beware of falling Xs.
The commercial district around Fira Gran Via is still a work in progress. Metro commuters passed this empty building every morning.
Developer Zone? Anybody seen the Developer Zone?
Many, many showgoers had to make a metro transfer at Placa Espanya. MWC handlers (such as the woman in the red vest, at left) directed them along to the L1 line. This was part of the Day 3 evening rush, leaving many of us with one more day of MWC ahead.

About the Author(s)

Craig Matsumoto

Editor-in-Chief, Light Reading

Yes, THAT Craig Matsumoto – who used to be at Light Reading from 2002 until 2013 and then went away and did other stuff and now HE'S BACK! As Editor-in-Chief. Go Craig!!

Subscribe and receive the latest news from the industry.
Join 62,000+ members. Yes it's completely free.

You May Also Like