Microfinance Focus, September 8, 2011: GSMA announced call for entries for the 17th annual Global Mobile Awards. The Global Mobile Awards 2012 recognizes excellence, achievement and innovation within the mobile communications industry. The Global Mobile Awards will be presented at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 28, 2012.

The Global Mobile Awards will be presented in the following categories: Apps of the Year, Best Mobile Handsets and Devices, Mobile Marketing and Advertising, Mobile Innovation, Best Technology, Social and Economic Development, Best Mobile Services and Outstanding Achievement Awards.

The Global Mobile Awards 2012 can be entered online and nominations close on Wednesday 30th November 2011. Entries are open to companies across the entire mobile ecosystem and all products, services, initiatives and programs entered must support, be deployed over or be accessible through mobile networks.

The judging process will begin in December 2011 and will feature a panel comprised of independent experts, analysts, journalists, academics and, in some cases, mobile operator representatives, with the short list of nominations for each category announced in mid-January 2012.

The GSMA's Mobile World Congress 2012 will be held 27th February – 1st March 2012 in Barcelona. 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 organizations.