Two days before Mobile World Congress begins, CNET captures the huge amount of work it takes to build a major trade show.
Kent German
Kent was a senior managing editor at CNET News. A veteran of CNET since 2003, he reviewed the first iPhone and worked in both the London and San Francisco offices. When not working, he's planning his next vacation, walking his dog or watching planes land at the airport (yes, really).
Mobile World Congress takes place this week at the Fira de Barcelona, a huge complex of several exhibition buildings that sit beneath the city's Montjuic park, the Catalan Museum of Art, and the site of the 1992 Olympics.
Though the show doesn't officially begin until Monday, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Samsung have press conferences Sunday night (9 a.m. PT).
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Fira de Barcelona
As we've told you before, it's a big place. It's so big, in fact, that it needs an enormous map.
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Android
We knew Android would be big in Barcelona this year. This sign just proves it.
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Samsung
As in past years, Samsung is promising to "unpack" something on the night before the show begins.
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Inside Hall 8
I forgot my hard hat so I couldn't get inside Hall 8, but Moto's booth looks like it was imported from CES. Most handset manufactuers will set up in Hall 8, which is the largest at the show.
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Inside Hall 8
Across the way will be booths for Cisco and AT&T.
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Samsung and LG
Further on you could catch a glimpse of the booths for Samsung and LG.
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Setting up MWC
Guys in hard hats are everywhere.
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T-Mobile
T-Mobile's pavilion will occupy its usual place next to a reflecting pool. This year, however, it's a bit more imposing.
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Ericsson
A worker puts the finishing touches on the Ericsson booth.
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Setting up MWC
Meanwhile, other workers take a break.
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Placa d'Espanya
As you climb the steps to Montjuic, the show complex stretches all the way back to the Placa d'Espanya.
