GSM Association Announces Asia Mobile Innovation Award for the 3GSM World Congress Asia 2006
13 June 2006
Industry leaders line up for Asia's premier mobile event
13th June 2006 - New Delhi - The GSM Association (GSMA), the global trade association for mobile operators, today announced a new mobile innovation competition for young, small and start up companies across Asia that are developing technologies, applications and content for the fast moving mobile space.
Unveiled today following the GSMA's board meeting in New Delhi, the Asian Mobile Innovation Awards sponsored by Ericsson will include two categories; for Most Innovative Mobile Application or Content and the Most Innovative Technology.
"Asia is a hot bed of innovation for the mobile world. There is an astonishing array of talent dedicated to developing new ideas for the market," said Rob Conway, CEO and Board Member of the GSM Association. "However, it's a complex market with many players and small companies with interesting or astonishing ideas have to fight hard to be heard."
The competition, which is now open for entry, will culminate at Asia's premier mobile communications event, the 3GSM World Congress Asia 2006 (Singapore, 16-20 October), attended by leaders from region-wide mobile operators, manufacturers and players from across the mobile value chain.
The GSM Association also confirmed today, a world class line up of mobile industry leaders who will speak at the Congress this year, including: Sunil Mittal Bharti, Chairman & Managing Director of Bharti Enterprises; Sol Trujillo, CEO, Telstra, Dr Young Chu-Cho, President & CEO, KTF; Arve Johansen, CEO, Telenor; Mohsen Khalil, Director, The World Bank and Clemens Joos, CEO BenQ Mobile, among many others.
Featuring 25 sessions including 120 expert speakers from around the world and three separate tracks covering the hottest topics in the mobile industry today, the 3GSM World Congress Asia will showcase and position the very best of the Asian mobile market in a global context.
The new Mobile Innovation Award, which will be supported by globally-respected mobile wireless technology investors and mobile operators, affords the opportunity for six short-listed finalists to present their ideas during the Mobile Innovation Forum, to a panel of operator and industry experts at the Congress.
"The 3GSM World Congress Asia is a unique event on the industry calendar, a place where thought leaders share ideas and discuss strategies for growth, and where the operator community comes together with partners and suppliers to do business," said Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman and Group Managing Director, Bharti Enterprises. "The Innovation Forum and Awards within the Congress provides innovators across Asia with a new international stage on which to make themselves heard, and access to individuals and organisations who can help them move forward," he added.
About the GSM Association
The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade association representing more than 690 GSM mobile phone operators across 213 countries of the world. In addition, more than 180 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association's initiatives as key partners.
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. The Association's members serve almost 2 billion customers - 82% of the world's mobile phone users.
Notes for editors
The Mobile Innovation Forum & Award
The Asian Mobile Innovation is open to small and start up companies whose turnover has not exceeded $US 5 million in their most recent financial year, and who have fewer than 100 employees. The company must be located in the Asia region.
The deadline for entry is 31 August 2006. A panel of independent judges comprising the operator and venture capital representatives will shortlist the six organisations that will be invited to present ideas at the Congress in person in Singapore. One winner in each category will be chosen with awards presented on the evening of Monday 16th October.
The six finalists will also receive an opportunity to exhibit their ideas during the 3GSM World Congress Asia, and also receive an automatically shortlist to the GSMA's Global Mobile Awards at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona in February 2007. Full details of the awards entry criteria, eligibility, rules and the on-line entry form can be found at www.3gsmasia.com/awards.
The 3GSM World Congress Asia
Further details on the 3GSM World Congress including the agenda, speakers, travel and registration information can be found at: www.3gsmasia.com.
For further information contact:
Mark Smith
GSM Association
Tel. +44 7850 229724
Email:press@gsm.org
or
David Pringle
GSM Association
Tel: +44 795 755 6069
Email:press@gsm.org
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