GSMA Foundry excellence awards 2025
Now in our fourth year, we identify projects that meet the judging criteria and showcase their own individual attributes and achievements.
The annual GSMA foundry excellence awards provide us with an opportunity to recognise some of the most innovative and significant projects completed within 2024, across five key categories.
Why participate?
Industry Recognition
Demonstrate your expertise and leadership to industry peers.
Networking opportunities
Celebrate and connect with the industry’s most infludential people.
Brand visibility
Elevate your brand’s profile and visibility, boost awareness, credibility and market presence.
Market differentiation
Differentiate yourself from the competition by emphasising your unique value proposition.
Recognition for excellence
Gain recognition for your innovative thinking and dedication to excellence.
Receive a trophy
Winners will receive their trophy at MWC Barcelona 2025.
Past winners:
Award Categories
- Foundry Artificial Intelligence Award
- Foundry Non-Terrestrial Networks Award
- Foundry 5G Monetisation Award
- Foundry Network Efficiency and Network Optimisation Award
- Foundry best industry vertical use case/industry project Award
Criteria / Evaluation
- Innovation and creativity: extent, uniqueness, originality, proprietary rights and centrality of the initiative.
- Achievement & recognition: market traction and technology readiness.
- Potential / Commercial use: clear roadmap to scalability, potential for growth and sustainability of the project.
- Impact: contribution towards solving a real-life challenge, whether it’s overcoming a specific obstacle or providing a solution to a prevalent issue, emphasise the practical impact of your work.
- Timelines: for initiatives completed in the calendar year 2024.
Important Dates
- Monday 12th August 2024: Application submissions open
- Saturday 30th November 2024: Application submissions close
- Friday 17th January 2025: Shortlisted projects announced
- Monday 10th February 2025: Winners announced
Artificial Intelligence
This category celebrates and recognises achievements related to the application and impact of Artificial Intelligence technologies within the telecoms sector and adjacent verticals.
It focuses on acknowledging organisations that have demonstrated exceptional use of AI to innovate, improve efficiency, enhance customer experiences, or drive significant business outcomes within telecoms and related sectors.
Non-Terrestrial Networks
This category recognises and celebrates achievements and innovations in the field of NTN, which includes satellite communications, high-altitude platform systems (HAPS), and other space-based network technologies.
These achievements help acknowledge the diverse aspects and contributions within the Non-Terrestrial Network industry, from technical innovation to policy leadership and environmental stewardship.
5G Monetisation
This category recognises companies or organisations that have demonstrated outstanding innovation and success in leveraging 5G technology for commercial gain.
It highlights and promotes the best practices and success stories in leveraging 5G technology to drive business growth and innovation across various sectors.
Network Efficiency and Optimisation
This category celebrates exceptional achievements in enhancing network performance, optimising resources, and improving overall efficiency. It underscores innovations and best practices that ensure more reliable, faster, and cost-effective network services.
This award also highlights a commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and collaboration in achieving high network performance.
Outstanding Industry Vertical Use Case / Industry Project
This category acknowledges outstanding accomplishments and innovations that have profoundly influenced the telecommunications sector and related industries. Winning in this category demonstrates leadership, vision and the ability to drive substantial transformation within the industry.
It also sets a benchmark for future initiatives, inspiring others to innovate and contribute to the industry’s growth and development.