Wednesday 3rd September 2008, London: The GSMA today announced that entries are invited for the 2009 Global Mobile Awards and the penultimate round of its Mobile Innovation Global Competition, both of which will be presented at the mobile industry's biggest annual event, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on 17th February 2009.

 The GSMA’s Global Mobile Awards are a unique platform for companies in the mobile industry to gain truly independent recognition for their work.


“In a challenging global economic environment, the mobile industry continues to innovate and surprise. These awards recognise the talent and diversity that exists around the world and encourage every player to excel,” said Rob Conway, CEO and Board Member of the GSMA.

 This year's awards incorporate several new categories including a new ‘Green Mobile’ Award (highlighting eco-friendly mobile products, services and initiatives),  Best Mobile Internet, Best Mobile TV Service and Best Mobile Money Service.

 The Best Mobile Technology categories have been refreshed to ensure they capture the wealth of creativity and imagination in the mobile industry. Categories of Mobile Entertainment, Mobile Services, and Best Mobile Handset, are already established as highly desirable awards for any new product or service. 

The deadline for entries for the Global Mobile Awards is Friday 28th November 2008 (5pm GMT). A panel of independent analysts, journalists and specialist experts will choose the winners, who will receive their awards at a gala dinner at the National Palace in Barcelona on Tuesday 17th February 2009, during the Mobile World Congress. 

 The GSMA’s commitment to innovation is supported by the Mobile Innovation Market community, which has created the Mobile Innovation Global Award Competition. The Mobile Innovation Market encourages breakthrough technology, applications and services in the mobile industry by bringing together smaller companies developing innovative products and solutions, with industry investors from leading venture capital firms and senior figures from mobile operators and leading global brands.

 On 16th February at the Mobile World Congress, the Top 15 Innovators will present their ideas in front of the Mobile Innovation Marketplace audience and a panel of esteemed judges; from the five Category Winners to be named that day, two will emerge as Global Finalists and will compete against other Global Finalists selected from regional Mobile Innovation tournaments in the Americas, APAC and a virtual ‘online’ round. The Finalists will then compete head-to-head on 17th February for the prestigious title of ‘2009 GSMA Mobile Innovation Global Champion’ to be awarded at the Global Mobile Awards Gala that evening. The deadline for entries for the Mobile Innovation EMEA tournament is 5th December, 2008.

 

The GSMA’s 2009 Global Mobile Awards categories are as follows:


Best Mobile Entertainment

Best Mobile Game
Best Mobile Music or Video Service
Best Mobile Advertising
Best Mobile TV Service (new)
 

Best Mobile Services

Best Mobile Enterprise Service
Best Mobile Internet Service (new)
Best Mobile Money Service (new)
 

Best Mobile Handset or Device

 

Best Marketing

Best TV Commercial
Best Mobile Brand Campaign (new)
 

Best Use of Mobile for Social & Economic Development

 
Best Technology

Best Network Technology Advance (new)
Best Service Delivery Platform
Best Billing or Customer Care Solution
Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough (new)
 

Green Mobile Award (sponsored by AT Kearney)

 Chairman’s Award

 Government Leadership Award

 The GSMA’s Mobile Innovation Global Competition categories are:



·        Most Innovative 'True Mobile Start Up'

Most Innovative 'Carrier Infrastructure or Platform'
Most Innovative 'Consumer Application or Service'
Most Innovative 'Mobile Application in a Vertical Market'
Most Innovative 'Wireless Device-centric Technology'
 

Full category, rules, entry forms and details about the gala dinner can be found at www.globalmobileawards.com and the Mobile Innovation EMEA Tournament at www.mobileinnovation.org/Awards.

About the GSMA:
The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade group representing more than 750 GSM mobile operators across 218 countries and territories of the world. The Association's members represent more than 3 billion GSM and 3GSM connections - over 86% of the world's mobile phone connections. In addition, more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association's initiatives.

 The primary goals of the GSMA are to ensure mobile phones and wireless services work globally and are easily accessible, enhancing their value to individual customers and national economies, while creating new business opportunities for operators and their suppliers.