Both the awards and competition will be presented at the mobile industry's biggest annual event, the Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona on 17 February 2009.
"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 28 November (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, 17 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 16 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 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 17 February for the 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 5 December 2008.
The GSMA's 2009 Global Mobile Awards categories are as follows:
The GSMA's Mobile Innovation Global Competition categories are:
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.
