The Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC25) in Barcelona once again served as a global stage for ground-breaking discussions on cloud, edge computing and the future of digital infrastructure. From 3 to 6 March, the 8ra Initiative was at the heart of these conversations, engaging with key stakeholders, policymakers and technology leaders to shape the path toward a federated and interoperable Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum.
Key Highlights from MWC25
High-Profile Engagements
Our booth at Hall 6, Booth 6H36 was a hub of activity, bringing together European and global leaders to discuss the next generation of cloud-edge infrastructure. Notably, we welcomed the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs Dirk Beljaarts, CEO of Telekom MMS GmbH Ralf Pechmann, CTO T-Systems Christine Knackfuß-Nikolic, Prof Paul Timmers from WeltWert®, Gaia-X CEO Ulrich Ahle, Yuji Tazaki, Head of Strategy Office – Fujitsu, Florent Point & Tudor Paul Toma from Tencent Cloud, Warren Low, Digital Backbone Programme Manager at NATO, Jeff MacMillan, CEO GECC, and Eric Luteijn, B2B tech & ITfluencer. Their participation underscored the increasing relevance of cloud sovereignty and interoperability for Europe’s digital resilience.
A shared consensus emerged: Now is the time for Europe to strengthen its digital leadership. As Renate Nikolay (European Commission) emphasised, Europe must take the lead in shaping the next generation of the cloud-edge continuum and securing strategic autonomy in data and cloud-based businesses.
The rise of connected, collaborative computing was another key theme. Experts from Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Orange discussed the need for an integrated cloud-edge continuum to harness AI, enhance security and drive sustainability. While opinions varied on whether latency requirements are the main economic driver for a multi-provider approach, there was a broad agreement that integrating specialised, highly distributed cloud providers across Europe opens up many new business opportunities. The discussions reaffirmed a crucial message: Europe is not merely adapting to the future of cloud – it is actively shaping it.
Strategic Discussions and Panels
Throughout the event, 8ra representatives participated in pivotal discussions. A key panel on day 1 featured Lara Grohe (Telekom), Cristina Santana Casillas (Telefónica) and Roberto Procopia (TIM), and a session on day 2 led by Ana Lucia Vilchez Parra and Cristina Santana Casillas (Telefónica) provided insights into the 8ra initiative. Another panel with Paweł Masłowski (Oktawave), focused on seamless communication and data sharing for innovation in the North Sea.
Under the theme “Driving the development of a European cloud-edge continuum”, participants outlined:
- How cloud operators in the 8ra initiative achieve integration
- The goals and standards they aim to meet
- Why their cloud-edge approach is an attractive alternative to hyperscalers
A key takeaway: Edge Computing is not just a trend – it is a strategic enabler of digital transformation. Experts emphasised that Telco providers within the 8ra Initiative will play a pivotal role in this evolution.
Another major focus was orchestration in distributed environments, highlighting:
- The importance of open collaboration
- The need for robust security
- The role of European industry in shaping the future cloud ecosystem
MWC25 reaffirmed Europe’s strong collaborative momentum in advancing cloud-edge technologies, strengthening cross-border cooperation and broadening perspectives on interoperability and cloud governance.
Industry Trends and Innovations
A major focus at MWC25 was the evolution of cloud-edge services as a driver of Europe’s competitiveness. Three key trends dominated the discussions:
- Extended Reality (XR) – including the Industrial Metaverse – is becoming increasingly practical in gaming, education and industry thanks to significant advances in hardware, software and applications.
- The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) is playing an important role in enabling smart devices and systems to increase efficiency and create new opportunities in areas such as smart cities and healthcare. Discussions at MWC25 highlighted how a federated approach to cloud infrastructure can drive innovation across sectors such as telecommunications, manufacturing and energy.
- Sustainable and energy-efficient technologies are reshaping the mobile ecosystem.
The role of OTT and hypercloud providers was a hot topic, with discussions highlighting their large profits, shrinking margins for telcos and the challenging market for smaller providers. AI applications and business models, including AI RAN, were also in the spotlight.
Finally, the push for sustainable technology is accelerating, with a growing focus on the circular economy and the use of renewable energy in everything from mobile device production to data centre operations.
Looking Ahead
MWC25 highlighted the critical role of the Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum in shaping Europe’s digital future. The event underscored both the growing demand for federated cloud solutions and the challenges faced by small cloud providers and users, who often find themselves dependent on dominant industry players. These insights are invaluable for the 8ra Initiative and our partners as we continue driving interoperability, sovereignty and innovation in cloud-edge infrastructure.
Building on the momentum from MWC25, we are committed to fostering deeper collaboration across the ecosystem. A big thank you to all our partners, stakeholders and visitors who joined us in Barcelona – we’re excited for the journey ahead!