Looking forward in the mobile industry

The GSMA’s Global Mobile Awards are this year celebrating 20 years of extraordinary innovation in the digital communications industry and we are marking this landmark by looking to the future, and with two special new awards: the “Young Mobile Innovator of the Year” and “Connected Women: Leadership in Industry” awards. Both awards will be presented at this year’s Mobile World Congress, taking place in Barcelona, 2-5 March 2015.

Against a backdrop of global mobile broadband connectivity and billions of smart devices, technology has, over the years, become accessible to nearly everyone on all levels; there are limitless opportunities and no prerequisites, no boundaries to age or gender access.

This year, through the Global Mobile Awards, we have chosen, rather than looking back on the two decades of remarkable change, to look forward to the pioneers of the future, to those people who are going to continue to grow the industry and continue develop access, via technology, to services, applications, content and ideas for everyone globally.

In looking at the recent generations of digital pioneers – people like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, the late Steve Jobs, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Jeff Bezos and Jerry Yang – it’s interesting to note that the average age when they founded their iconic internet and technology companies was just over 22. In the “Young Mobile Innovator of the Year” award, we’re looking for people within the industry who might fit the same mold as these digital pioneers, who are truly going to help create or implement the next generation of the mobile industry.

The early mobile business was dominated by engineers focused on rolling out and then optimising mobile networks in every corner of the world. And engineering in the 1990s and early 2000s was predominantly a male domain. It wasn’t that there weren’t opportunities for female engineers and entrepreneurs at that time, but it was definitely not considered a traditional academic or career path for young women. With the “Connected Women: Leadership in Industry award”, we are looking to encourage those that have helped reverse this trend and have worked to attract and retain women within the mobile and telecommunications industry.

Both awards categories are open until 15th January, are free to enter, and will be presented at the industry’s must-attend event, Mobile World Congress, in March.

So think of the connected women and young mobile innovators that could shape the future of the mobile industry and make your nominations now!

For more details on either award or to submit an entry, click on the links below:

The award for Young Mobile Innovator of the Year is a category for 18-25 year old innovators, creatives and entrepreneurs and is designed to showcase young talent from across the mobile ecosystem. Submit your entry here: http://gsma.at/129ILBe

The Connected Women – Leadership in Industry award recognises and celebrates leadership in establishing initiatives to attract and retain women in roles not only in mobile, but also the broader telecommunications industry. Submit your entry here: http://gsma.at/17q4DeJ