[Update: Vivo, Intel] TCL cancels MWC 2020 press conference, will still attend show

Damien Wilde | Feb 10 2020 - 3:50 am PT

The growing list of firms pulling out of MWC 2020 due to the novel coronavirus increases further as TCL has now canceled its press conference at the event.

Every year, phone companies from around the world gather together at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona to demonstrate the next generation of phones and devices, with the next event set to take place at the end of this month. In response to the coronavirus, we’ve already seen ZTE, Sony, Amazon, and Ericsson canceling private conferences and meetings at the event.

[Update 02/11]: Vivo and Intel have now joined the growing list of firms deciding not to attend MWC 2020 in full capacity. Vivo confirmed via email that it is withdrawing from the event, whereas Intel confirmed the move to pull out in a statement.

“The safety and wellbeing of all our employees and partners is our top priority, and we have withdrawn from this year’s Mobile World Congress out of an abundance of caution. We are grateful to the GSMA for their understanding and look forward to attending and supporting future Mobile World Congress events,” an Intel spokesperson said in a statement to VentureBeat.

Neither firm will have any presence in Barcelona, meaning that the halls are starting to seem a little more empty than they did previously — with potentially more firms to pull out over the coming weeks.

In a statement, TCL confirmed that it’s press conference on February 22nd has been canceled but the firm will still attend MWC 2020 as planned. The company will still announce several new devices and they will be present at their dedicated show floor booth.

Given the recent global health concerns due to the spread of the 2019-nCoV virus, and out of an abundance of caution and care for our staff, customers, press and other guests, TCL Communication is cancelling its global press event for MWC 2020, which was planned for 22 February 2020.

This decision does not impact any other MWC 2020 activities planned by the company and TCL will still announce its latest mobile devices and showcase them at its booth in the Fira Gran Via – Hall 3, Stand 3D11 – from 24-27 February as scheduled.

The next two weeks will no doubt be pivotal for MWC 2020, as we expect even more firms and brands to pull out of the event over coronavirus concerns.