(Adds Nokia)
BERLIN/HELSINKI, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Nokia and
Deutsche Telekom became the latest big name companies
to pull out of this month's Mobile World Congress (MWC) in
Barcelona because of the coronavirus outbreak, adding to the
likelihood the event could be scrapped.
Franco-Italian chipmaker STMicroelectronics also joined the
list of absentees on Wednesday, scheduled to take place on Feb.
24-27.
The event is the telecoms industry's biggest annual
gathering, with companies spending millions on stands and
hospitality to fill their order books.
A source familiar with the matter said Deutsche Telekom,
Germany's largest telecoms company, would not attend, adding an
official announcement by other European telecoms operators was
possible later in the day.
Telecoms equipment maker Nokia said it believed it was a
"prudent decision" to cancel its participation.
"Nokia plans to go directly to customers with a series
of “Nokia Live” events aimed at showcasing the industry-leading
demos and launches scheduled for MWC," the Finnish company said
in a statement, setting out its alternative plans.
Even after a spate of withdrawals, with U.S. exhibitors
pulling out en masse on Tuesday, the GSMA has so far stood by
its line that the event will go ahead. The GSMA board,
comprising industry executives, will convene on Friday to review
its options, sources said.
(Reporting by Douglas Busvine; editing by Keith Weir and Elaine
Hardcastle)