Indian Mobile World Conference a false report: GSMA

The GSM Association has dismissed reports about organising an Indian version of the Mobile World Conference (MWC) in September.

Late last week rumours began circulating that the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) had finalised a collaboration with the GSMA to organise an Indian version of the global technology fair, Mobile World Conference. The MWC is held every year in Barcelona and Shanghai.

India's smartphone market consists of more than 220 million users and more than 150 smartphone brands sell their products across the country. Despite a low market penetration of just 30 percent, India is the world's second-largest smartphone market.

GSMA issued a statement regarding the false reports. "Contrary to media reports, the GSMA is not collaborating with COAI in the development of the India Mobile Congress scheduled to take place in September."

The surprising bit is that the original report contained a direct quote from the Director General of COAI.

Although the GSMA has backed out of any official collaboration, the COAI could still organise an Indian MWC under a different banner. We are looking out for an official statement from PTI or COAI.