Vodafone joins Mobile World Congress exodus

Vodafone, the world's second-largest mobile operator, said it was pulling out of Barcelona's Mobile World Congress because of the coronavirus outbreak, joining an exodus of major European players on Wednesday.

"Vodafone has been carefully monitoring the news on the coronavirus and has noted the recent warnings from the World Health Organization," the company said.

"After careful consideration, we have decided to withdraw from this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona."