LONDON - Friday, February 19th 2016 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The metro and bus workers from TMB, the main public transport operator in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, have announced plans to strike during Mobile World Congress which will be held 22-25 February 2016. The metro strike is currently expected on Monday, 22 and Wednesday, 24 February, and the bus strike on Tuesday, 23 and Thursday, 25 February; during this time, service would be operated at minimum required levels. Negotiations are ongoing in an effort to resolve the issues.

While we are hopeful that a strike can be averted prior to the start of Mobile World Congress, the GSMA has developed a comprehensive contingency plan and is ready to activate this plan should it become necessary. The contingency plan outlines alternate transport options for getting to and from the venue, and also describes the additional security measures the police are putting in place to ensure the safe passage of our attendees.

The GSMA encourages attendees to register and pick up their badges on the weekend where possible to minimise potential congestion. Registration at Fira Gran Via is open on Saturday, 20 February and Sunday, 21 February. The registration desks at the airport and satellite registration locations at Sants Estació train station and at Passeig de Gràcia will be open from Friday, 19 February. Full registration opening hours are available at www.mobileworldcongress.com/badge-collection/registration-opening-hours/.

While we completely understand and appreciate the concerns around the uncertainty of this situation, we want assure attendees that the GSMA is taking every possible step to ensure the success of Mobile World Congress.

-ENDS-

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 250 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 and the Mobile 360 Series conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160219005261/en/

Contacts

For the GSMA

Charlie Meredith-Hardy

+44 7917 298428

CMeredith-Hardy@webershandwick.com

Núria Picas

+34 93 236 09 00

NPicas@webershandwick.com

GSMA Press Office

pressoffice@gsma.com

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