e. circumstances beyond the GSMA's control. It goes on to say, however, that the GSMA is working on 'a proposal' created to make the best of a bad scenario and maintain excellent relations in between the GSMA and its MWC industrial partners, which it expects to share by the end of March.
Rather alarmingly, the interaction likewise describes the situation produced by the cancellation of MWC 2020 due to the coronavirus risk as 'uninsurable'. Undoubtedly a lot of insurance exists precisely to cover 'disasters' such as this. If the GSMA's insurance companies are informing it that they're not responsible for any of the cost of the cancellation then that looks like a quite rubbish policy.
This communication seems to be designed to position the choice not to reimburse as something that runs out the GSMA's hands and develops on the Bloomberg interview as a call for industry uniformity in these trying times. There is lots of factor to feel sympathy towards the situation the GSMA finds itself in.
It's likewise in the interest of exhibitors that value MWC to do their bit to guarantee the event returns next year. Where the GSMA will find it most tough to motivate its exhibitors to take one for the group, however, remains in the matter of what it costs to go to MWC.
The telecoms market does need to show uniformity at a time like this, but it works both ways. It would be counter-productive in the long term for exhibitors not to accept their reasonable share of the expense of such a remarkable piece of cumulative bad luck. However at the very same time the GSMA should ask itself if increasing the profit it makes on MWC is the best method to help the industry is was created to support.
Anu is presently Executive for Strategic Organization Operations for MTN Group and acting head of Data Analytics. She was previously General Supervisor Passive Facilities throughout which time she led the setup of MTN GlobalConnect, MTN's wholesale service. An engineer by training and a previous investment banker, she presently serves on the boards of MTN Guinea-Bissau and MTN South Sudan as a non-executive director.
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