Firms opting to skip tech show over virus

LONDON – Two big Japanese companies are the latest to pull out of a major European technology show because of fears over the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

Electronics manufacturer Sony and mobile phone carrier NTT DoCoMo said Monday they’re scrapping their appearances at Mobile World Congress, the world’s largest mobile industry trade fair, in Barcelona, Spain, this month.

Sony Corp. instead will launch its latest devices through its YouTube channel on Feb. 24, the first day of the show.

“As we place the utmost importance on the safety and well-being of our customers, partners, media and employees, we have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from exhibiting and participating,” Sony said.

NTT DoCoMo said that given the expanding impact of the virus, it canceled out of consideration of safety for staff, visitors and partners.

Amazon said over the weekend that it is withdrawing “due to the outbreak and continued concerns about novel coronavirus.” The e-commerce giant’s cloud computing division, Amazon Web Services, was expected to have a big presence at the show. Software company Amdocs and telecommunications equipment maker CommScope also backed out Monday.

Organizers and local authorities remained upbeat.

“We don’t envision any other possibility but the celebration of the Mobile World Congress,” Barcelona’s deputy mayor, Jaume Collboni, told reporters.

He noted that although the companies that have pulled out are among the show’s biggest exhibitors, they’re only a handful of the 2,800 taking part.

GSMA, the show organizer, said Sunday it’s “moving ahead as planned” with the event, and outlined additional health and safety measures.