FC Barcelona and GSMA reach agreement to collaborate on innovation and technology projects for the next three years

FC Barcelona and GSMA, the association of the largest telephone operators in the world, announced an agreement to collaborate at the Mobile World Congress Americas in San Francisco. They will collaborate on technological initiatives in areas like big data, the internet of things (IoT), mobile identity and authentification, and next generation networks, among others. Moreover, FC Barcelona will promote these and other initiatives at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Shanghai and America.

The new techonology agreement is based on initiatives like the Barça Innovation Hub (BiHub) project, which was presented by Josep Maria Bartomeu at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in March. It aims to transform the world through sporting excellence by using knowledge and innovation. BiHub will also be presented at the Mobile World Congress America by Javier Sobrino, the Club’s Director of Strategic Planning and Innovation, to explain in detail what the initiative entails and how it aims to become the most important centre for knowledge and innovation in the sports industry.

FC Barcelona and GSMA will work together to develop the use of Barça Innovation Hub as a means of providing new innovations. The agreement will also see both entities investigate the implementation of mobile technologies. For example, big data and IoT could be used to connect sensors to track elements at the Camp Nou like the crowd or the air quality. Mobile identity solutions like Mobile Connect could be used to allow FC Barcelona users access to their technological services and to validate online transactions.

Further, FC Barcelona, through its FCB Foundation collaboration, will work alongside the GSMA in Barcelona-based youth programmes such as the Mobile World Capital mSchools initiative and the YoMo Festival at Mobile World Congress, to encourage students’ interest in and use of technology in learning.

What is GSMA?

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai, Mobile World Congress Americas and the Mobile 360 Series conferences.

President of FC Barcelona Josep Maria Bartomeu’s statements:

“GSMA and the industry of mobile telephony have had a big impact in Barcelona over the last twelve years the Mobile World Congress has come to the city. We are very happy to be able to help improve this relationship. The mobile technology initiatives we are working on will help us optimise the experience of our fans all around the world and those who visit the Camp Nou. We want to work together in lots of exciting projects which could help make the mobile even more important.”

John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd John Hoffman’s statements:

“Clearly, FC Barcelona is recognised globally for their excellence in the world of football and they want to extend their leadership with the help of mobile technological innovations and its services. GSMA is pleased to have this type of agreement with FC Barcelona, and the benefits of this collaboration will be felt in the city and in Catalunya as well as reinforcing Barcelona’s position as the world capital of mobiles.”