Frequently Asked Questions
What are the GSMA's Global Mobile Awards and what do they aim to do?
The GSMA’s Global Mobile Awards offer organisations across the global mobile eco-system (including all converging vertical sectors) the opportunity to showcase the latest and best mobile products, apps, services and initiatives to the world. The Awards are open to all eligible mobile companies, and supporters of the mobile eco-system - GSMA Members, Associate Members and Non-members - as defined in the individual category eligibility descriptions.
The presentation of the awards takes place during the Mobile World Congress the world's largest and leading mobile industry event held annually in Barcelona (27th February – 1st March 2012).
How long have they been running?
Since 1995. The GSMA's Awards will be presented for the seventeenth year in succession during the Mobile World Congress on Tuesday, 28th February 2012.
What is the GSMA?
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as the Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Congress. For more information, please visit Mobile World Live, the online portal for the mobile communications industry, at www.mobileworldlive.com or the GSMA corporate website at www.gsmworld.com
Who can enter the Global Mobile Awards?
See eligibility descriptions within the individual awards categories. Essentially, the awards are open to ALL players in the mobile communications eco-system, from mobile operators and manufacturers to industry participants and suppliers from converging industries such as the entertainment, advertising, computing, financial, education, automotive, health, government and all others where mobile products and services are used or are being developed.
All products/services/initiatives/programmes entered must support, be deployed over or accessible through mobile networks.
How do I enter the Global Mobile Awards?
You can enter the Awards online here at this, the awards website by completing an on-line entry form. The specific questions you will be asked on this form are also provided within the category descriptions so that you can prepare your answers.
How many Award entries can I submit?
Multiple entries may be submitted. You can enter as many different categories and sub categories as you wish. There is no limit on the number of entries you may submit per category or sub category. Entry fees are applicable for each entry submitted.
Do I have to be a member of the Association to enter the Global Mobile Awards?
No. The awards are open to members and non-members of the Association, see "Who can enter the Awards?" above
When can I enter?
Entries for the GSMA's Global Mobile Awards 2012 are welcome now - completed entry forms and payment must be received by the closing date of Wednesday 30th November 2011 (5pm GMT).
Is there an entry fee?
Yes - Entry fees are payable for each entry submitted, as follows:
€450 - per entry for GSMA Members & Associate Members
€500 - per entry for Non GSMA Members & Associate Members
€200 - entry for Category 4: Social and Economic Development
Why is there an entry fee?
The entry fees help cover the costs associated with the administration and processing of the large number of entries received. Fees also contribute towards publicity and marketing the awards as well as to the awards event itself.
How can payment be made?
On-line payment by credit card is preferred. We accept AMEX, Visa & MasterCard. If credit card payment is not possible, you can do a wire transfer, bank details can be found here. If paying by bank transfer, Please ensure you mark your payment with your Entry Reference Number, which you are provided with once your entry is submitted when making payment.
Are the fees refundable if I decide to cancel my entry?
Entry fees are non refundable once payment has been submitted.
Can I enter the Global Mobile Awards if I am a previous winner?
Yes, although preferably you should not submit the same product, service, initiative as your previous winning entry, unless there have been significant new and innovative developments or enhancements.
What are the rules for entry?
Will I be sent an acknowledgement and/or receipt for my entry?
On completing & submitting the entry form, you will be sent an Entry Reference number which should be used in any queries.
What supporting materials are allowed?
Digital files – including video links on YouTube -may be submitted for all categories, please see individual category descriptions/requirements for details.
Please note: This year, the submission of video to support your entry/entries is very positively encouraged – and underlined by our awards judges! You may provide one URL to a video link demonstrating your entry. This should be either privately or publicly posted to YouTube (if a private post, please provide a user name and password for judges to access). The video should be between 3 and 5 minutes in length, but no more.
What formats should I send for video and picture materials?
The on-line entry form includes an upload facility for you to provide multimedia. You will have the ability to upload 5 additional files to accompany your entry up to a maximum file size of 10MB each. These can be illustration pdfs for customer testimonials etc, Jpeg for photos or PowerPoint for technical diagrams or statistics, but please keep these relevant to your entry and keep the pages to a minimum of two).
You may also provide one URL to a video link. This should be either privately or publicly posted to YouTube (if a private post, please provide a user name and password for judges to access). Video should be no more than 5 minutes in length.
What are the new categories for the 2012 Global Mobile Awards?
Brand New Categories for 2012, are as follows:
Category 1: Apps of the Year
1a) Best Mobile App for Consumers (Not open for entry – based on Judges’ nominations)
1b) Best Mobile App for Enterprise (Not open for entry – based on Judges’ nominations)
1c) Judges Choice - Best Overall Mobile App (Not open for entry – based on Judges’ nominations)
1d) Most Innovative Mobile App (Open for Entry/ Submission)
Category 2 - Mobile Marketing & Advertising
b. Innovation in Mobile Advertising
c. Mobile Marketing & Advertising Agency of the Year
Category 3 - Best Mobile Services
b. Best Consumer Mobile Service
c. Best Network Product or Solution for Serving Customers
Category 4 - Social & Economic Development
b. mWomen Best Mobile Product or Service for Women in Emerging Markets
c. Best Use of Mobile in Emergency or Humanitarian Situations
Category 5 - Mobile Innovation
c: Best Mobile Innovation for Automotive, Transport or Utilities
d: Best Mobile Money Innovation
e. Best Mobile Innovation for Publishing
Category 6 - Best Mobile Handsets & Devices
a: Best Smartphone (Nominations from judges – Not open for entry)
b. Best Feature phone or entry level phone (Nominations from judges – Not open for entry)
c: Device Manufacturer of the Year (Nominations from Judges – Not open for entry)
d: Best Mobile Tablet (Nominations from Judges – Not open for entry)
e: Best New Mobile Handset, Device or Tablet at Mobile World Congress (Not open for entry)
Category 7 - Best Technology
b: Best Infrastructure Technology
d. Best Cloud Based Technology
e. Best Technology Product or Solution for Safeguarding and Empowering Customers
Please note, categories within 1 (Apps of the Year) and 6 (Best Mobile Handsets & Devices), which do not call for submissions (Not open for entry) as nominations will be sought from our judging panel. This process is to ensure that we recognise the very best products on the market today and is introduced in response to feedback from our expert judges.
Will short listed companies be announced - if so, when?
The nominees will be notified prior to the Mobile World Congress in February 2012 in time to make arrangements to attend the presentation ceremony. The winners will be announced at the presentation of the awards (see below).
When will the nominations be announced?
The GSMA will announce the full shortlist of nominees in mid-late January 2012.
When will the winners be announced?
The winners will be presented at the Mobile World Congress on Tuesday 28th February 2012 as part of the congress programme. Full details of the ceremony will be published soon.
How does the judging process work?
Entries will be judged against the criteria outlined in each of the category criteria and the specific information requested on the entry forms. Assessment by the judges will take place in December 2011 and early January 2012 and discussions and decisions based solely on this information supplied.
Who are the judges?
The panel will be made up of independent judges comprising leading industry and subject matter experts, analysts, journalists and academics and in some cases mobile operator representatives, for appropriate categories.
When will the judging process begin?
The judging process begins in December 2011 and final judging will take place in January 2012
When and where does the Global Mobile Awards Ceremony take place?
At the Mobile World Congress on Tuesday 28th February 2012 within the conference programme in Hall 5, Level 3, Auditorium 1; please note you must be a Platinum, Gold Pass, Silver Pass Holder or media who have been accredited to attend MWC to attend the ceremony.
How do I attend the Global Mobile Awards Ceremony?
The awards ceremony is open to Platinum, Gold , Silver Pass Holders and media who have been accredited to attend MWC . If you're announced as a finalist, we will add access for representatives from your organisation that hold an exhibition pass to attend.
How can my company get involved in the Global Mobile Awards as a sponsor?
Award categories and other elements of the Awards event are available for sponsorship. Obviously, sponsoring companies will not be eligible to enter the category they are sponsoring.
To find out more, please contact awards@globalmobileawards.com in the first instance. See the Sponsorship section elsewhere on the awards web site.
If I have any further questions regarding entering the Global Mobile Awards, who can I contact?
You can contact the Awards Administrators with any questions you may have regarding the Awards. Email: awards@globalmobileawards.com
Can press or media attend the Global Mobile Awards ceremony?
Press and media are of course welcome to attend the Global Mobile Awards ceremony, full details of the venue ticket information will be available very soon.
Where do I find out more about the Mobile World Congress?
You can find out more at www.mobileworldcongress.com
