Another Mobile World Congress is over, number thirteen, but not too unlucky for most. We had the new venue, a range of designer tin sheds, but at least there was plenty of space and no rain dodging between buildings, with moving stairways and escalators.
The Cybersecurity presentation was part of the UK Trade and Industry sessions, where I described the work of the Standards Institutions and the various World and European initiatives. I pointed out that although there was general agreement that it was about the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information, nobody had yet agreed on how to spell Cybersecurity (or Cyber security or Cyber-security!).
So what did I find that was new? Well, I guess the messages for me was Data (using up all the capacity and stretching the networks), the rise of the Machine to Machine, the Connected City demonstration was well thought out and provoking, and Near Field Communications demonstrations were fun (I also beamed one Business Card, transferred two photos and got in and out quickly without the usual Photo Identity all with NFC). They all have security issues as well – so I will be busy!
The GSMA Android App was really great, a few bugs, but helped find and time talks and stands, let’s hope it stays for next year, it will make the experience almost truly paperless!
So I guess there was really nothing really new, a few more shiny things and some of the more significant announcements being held over: Like the one that the Samsung S4 would be shown at New York next month. Not forgetting the big players, who did not come to the party, but who also held biggest parties off in the City.
As usual, planning paid off – I had good set of meetings, met a lot of people I knew walking around and happily caught up on the gossip! The usual fixed events happened – parties, whisky tasting and late nights. I gave a talk on Cybersecurity, only used one box of Business Cards, and Sonny Bear got his Silver Card.
So, yet again, a really useful week. It really is where everyone comes to meet. The feet will take a week or so to recover. Planning for number fourteen has already begun – I have already booked the hotel for a bargain price; the flights will need to be booked early to get a good rate too. So see you all next year!