The November gathering will bring global technology companies and policymakers to Qatar as the region expands its investment in AI, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure. 

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Doha will host MWC26 Doha from November 8 to 10, bringing technology companies, telecom operators, and government representatives together as artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure become major investment priorities across the Middle East. Organized by the GSMA, the event will take place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), alongside the opening days of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2026, which runs from November 9 to 27. The two gatherings will bring industry discussions about new technologies and investment alongside international deliberations on telecommunications policy. 

The GSMA announced the speaker and exhibitor lineup on October 14, with participants from telecommunications, satellite communications, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. The event comes as regional businesses explore ways to put AI to work while governments invest in the infrastructure needed to support digital services. For companies operating across the region, developments in network technology and telecommunications policy can affect both the cost of expanding operations and the markets in which new services can be offered. 

AI and the Infrastructure Behind It 

MWC26 Doha will follow the theme The IQ Era, with its program divided into AI in Action, Intelligent Economies, and Connected Infrastructure. Sessions will cover practical AI applications, including intelligent data centers, AI-ready networks, connected healthcare, and business productivity, alongside the role of technology in economic competitiveness and national development. 

The speaker lineup includes representatives from Nokia, Ooredoo Group, Eutelsat Group, Khalifa University, and the ITU. Other participants include BYD, Napster, the SAMENA Telecommunications Council, VEON, and Vora. 

Exhibitors and sponsors include Google Cloud, Ericsson, Cisco Systems, Huawei Technologies, Accenture, and Vodafone Qatar, alongside cybersecurity providers Fortinet and Trend Micro. Regional participants include MEEZA, Fadaat Media, and Qatar University. 

The mix of companies reflects the range of infrastructure required to support AI adoption. Cloud platforms need computing capacity, telecom operators provide connectivity, and cybersecurity providers help protect the systems and data businesses rely on. For companies considering new AI projects, the cost of building and maintaining this infrastructure is part of the investment decision, alongside the potential benefits to their operations. 

Where Technology Meets Telecom Policy 

The ITU conference adds an important policy dimension to the event. Held every four years, the Plenipotentiary Conference is the organization’s highest policy-making body, responsible for setting its strategic direction and financial plans and electing its senior leadership. Its work covers international telecommunications issues, including spectrum management, technical standards, and global connectivity. 

MWC26 Doha will also host the GSMA Ministerial Program, bringing ministers and regulators together to discuss digital growth across the Middle East and beyond. Their discussions will take place as governments and operators consider how to develop networks, expand digital access, and establish regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies. 

“As the international connectivity community gathers in Doha for the co-located MWC26 Doha and ITU PP-26, the city will become a focal point for global dialogue on connectivity, AI and digital transformation. Across MENA, momentum around AI, advanced networks and digital infrastructure is accelerating, creating new opportunities for economic growth and societal impact. MWC26 Doha will showcase this progress and foster the partnerships needed to drive the next phase of digital development, both across the region and globally” said GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath  

The policy discussions are relevant to businesses making long-term commitments to telecommunications and digital services, since regulatory requirements and international standards can influence how networks are deployed and services are delivered across borders. Holding the two gatherings alongside each other provides an opportunity for industry representatives and policymakers to engage on these issues, although any concrete outcomes will depend on the decisions and agreements that follow. 

MWC26 Doha is being held in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). The inaugural edition in 2025 attracted more than 9,000 attendees from 110 countries and territories, according to the GSMA. This year’s event will bring international technology companies and government representatives back to Qatar, with the ITU conference continuing for more than two weeks after the main MWC program ends. 

For Qatar, hosting both gatherings provides an opportunity to engage with international players across telecommunications and digital technology. For businesses attending, the event offers access to industry discussions and policymakers whose decisions help shape the markets in which they operate. The impact will become clearer as the meetings progress and any new partnerships, investments, or policy developments emerge. 

To learn more about the event and register to attend, visit the official MWC26 Doha website 

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