CANTO INNOVATION AWARDS 2018
The CANTO Innovation Awards are biennial awards honouring the highest achievements from the Mobile sector of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry, celebrating member organizations that are blazing a trail within the sector.
These inaugural CANTO Innovation Awards will recognize and celebrate members that demonstrate excellence and innovation in service creation and delivery with the most advanced technologies, exercise modern operational methods and performance management, while making a solid contribution to their local community. Note is also taken of the enabling environment providing an award for Government facilitation.
Eligibility
This award is open to all paid up Members of CANTO who are suppliers of equipment, software and technology platforms aimed at delivering services to the customer from the mobile network. The technology should be applicable to services offered on the mobile (or cellular) technologies based on open industry standards.
The period for review for the Awards is January 2017 to the close of entries 15th June, 2018. Entrants must also demonstrate “Live” implementation, specifically that the initiative or project is operating and available during the period from January 2017.
THE AWARDS
- These inaugural 2018 Awards will be based on initiatives completed since January 1, 2017 until the close of nominations, at midnight East Caribbean Time on 15th June 2018.
- The initiative or project submitted can be a product, service, process, procedure, methodology, etc.
- The Awards are in two parts. The first is comprised of Awards that member organizations enter for, and the second are Awards that will be designated.
Awards Part 1
(Awards for which Members enter)
1. The Innovation Award
This award will go to the network operator that has deployed ground-breaking technology since start of 2017. The award focuses on research/pre-commercial activities as well as commercial deployment and is intended to recognise entrants that have pushed the boundaries of network efficiency and functionality to deliver solutions for consumers and businesses
2. Connecting the Unconnected Award
This award is open to service providers, vendors or operator/vendor combinations that have implemented projects to connect people challenged by location, poverty or disability since start of 2017. This could be network, service or device related. The connectivity can be general or specific to supporting education, healthcare, manufacturing or other sectors.
3. The Best Supplier to Network Operators Award
This award will acknowledge members who have consistently delivered strong support and the most advanced technologies that enable the ‘do more’ possibilities of CANTO member network operators. Judges will lean on evidence of the nature and quality of the operators/supplier relationship to determine impact.
4. Award for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
This award will be presented to the nominee that demonstrates it has been involved in projects that have a direct social impact on minority groups or the most vulnerable. Projects must be sustainable and be of measurable benefit to targeted stakeholders. Not only will this organization have established a commitment to society and its well-being, but will also have a compelling communications program that effectively conveys that commitment.
Part 2
(Award designated by Judges)
Members do not enter or nominate for this Award
1. The Best Mobile Network Award
This will go to the most outstanding mobile network operator based on reliability and performance. Judges will examine Members’ network performance (speed, coverage, and reliability), technology deployment (latest wireless technology), and network investments, Breadth of portfolio and extent of market reach.
2. Government Leadership Award
No entry is required for this Award.
An enabling environment is vital to the development of the sector. This Award recognises the Government Administration that has established telecommunications policies that facilitate investment by embodying principles such as free and fair competition, transparency and independent regulation. Consideration is also given to the use of the technology by the Administration.
3. Working Committee Chairman Award
This Award will be adjudicated by CANTO Members.
This Award will be made to the CANTO Working Committee Chairman who demonstrated a keen understanding of the issues and commitment to addressing these by clearly setting them out and guiding the deliberations of the Committee, delivering outputs that support and promote the agenda of CANTO.
ENTERING
To enter first read the Rules & Regulations then complete the Entry form online by 15th June, 2018 at midnight East Caribbean Time.
Synopsis of Entry
The information required on the Entry includes a Synopsis of no more than 300 words that should be aimed at describing the Entry in the Award category. The synopsis should seek to address the areas highlighted in the Award description and criteria identified below.
In addition, the Entrant can submit supplemental supporting information, including video. Such information is not mandatory, but can greatly assist Judges in making their decision and so is highly recommended.
Format for Supporting Information
Please keep supporting information submitted to a maximum of:
- One (1) x three (3) minute (maximum) video
- Please provide a URL link to your video (e.g. via YouTube, Vimeo or other public, English language video platforms) on the entry form and if required, please make sure you provide a password. Videos should ideally be in the English language or with English sub titles.
- Three (3) x one( 1) page documents with further information, images, graphics etc.
- Other supporting information to a maximum of three (3) x one (1) page documents, could consist of independent information or data, extracts from analysts’ reports, testimonials or press articles, graphics etc. to support your entry. Please do make sure this supporting information is succinct and clear.
- Three (3) x one (1) web pages (which should be very specific to the entry) linked by URLs
- Web pages: If pointing judges to a website within your supporting materials or entry, please include a URL which is to very specific information relating to your entry, up to a maximum of three web pages, as judges will not have time to search websites looking for the pertinent information.
- The language of the Awards is English and the Entry and Supporting information must be in English to be a valid Entry.
JUDGING
Entries will be judged by a panel of independent panel of industry experts against criteria for each Award.
The panel of independent industry experts will assess the Entries against guiding criteria as set out below. For all the Awards the judges will look to see what Concept, Value, Delivery and Impact has been achieved.
- The Innovation Award
- The service, product, solution, initiative, should have solved a problem or addressed a need.
- In so doing, the service or solution has moved the industry forward. It has added value to the industry.
- Commercial success, as demonstrated by metrics provided.
- Demonstrable End-user benefits
- Demonstrable Operator benefits
- Involved software innovation
2. Connecting the Unconnected Award
Judges will be looking for evidence of take up within the targeted markets/communities and address the benefits provided as well as innovation in the use of the network, equipment, products, solutions or service provision to provide connection. Social impact will also be considered.
The degree of complexity and scale of the deployment will be considered as well as the level of innovation applied in the deployment.
3. The Best Supplier to Network Operators Award
This award category seeks to recognize the best network based platform or solution for delivering services and seamless access to mobile users. It highlights the critical importance of network delivered solutions and services which are rich and sophisticated, developed to offer outstanding services to the end user.
4. Award for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Recognise excellence in CSR, through examining whether the organisation demonstrated a culture of CSR.
- Judges will consider the social outreach and other initiatives and programmes submitted as well as the level of investment in CSR.
- Environmental impact will also be considered.
5. Best ICT Transformation Project
- Judges should be provided with how the overall concept was developed.
- Judges will evaluate the value proposition of the initiative by reviewing evidence of how the initiative responds to an existing need and may be game changing.
- Judges will be interested in if there are interesting examples of how the initiative is delivered and consumers engaged.
- A demonstration of the commercial success, impact, both immediate and long term, on society and the environment will also be assessed.
- How well tailored is the idea or prototype to the needs of the community and users for which it is designed? How will the design of the idea/prototype help engage community members in order to maximize utilization?
- What is innovative or novel about the initiative?
- Percentage of the population covered by a mobile-cellular network.
- Percentage of the population covered by at least a 3G mobile network.
- Percentage of the population covered by at least an LTE/WiMAX mobile network.
6. Working Committee Chairman Award
- Promotes the objects and agenda of CANTO.
- Clearly enunciates the purpose of the Committee, the issues it is faced with, and maintains focus.
- Chairman demonstrates leadership.
- Chairman encourages participation, dialogue and feedback.
- Chairman leads the team to timely solutions, reports, and feedback to CANTO as required.
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Members do not enter or nominate for this Award
1. Best Mobile Network Award
This award will be made to the best service platform or solution deployed in the mobile network. It recognizes the contributions that middleware and software application developers make as well as the great variety of Value Added Service providers and Billing System vendors make to enhancing the service delivery environment and attracting new mobile users.
The entry may be delivered on new platforms or existing platforms in the network but must be network centric. Hosted platforms and services are eligible in this category as long as the elements form part of an extended mobile ‘network’.
2. Government Leadership Award
- An assessment of the enabling regulatory and policy environment will be undertaken.
- Competition enabling policies and legislation.
- Transparent regulations and policies.
- The existence of an independent regulator.
PRIZES & PRESENTATION
- These will comprise Trophies and Citations.
- The winners will not be notified prior to the Award Dinner and winners are expected to accept their award at the ceremony.
- The Awards will be presented on 24th July, 2018 at the 34th Annual Conference & Trade Exhibition in Panama
Objective of Awards
The CANTO Innovation Awards (“The Awards) are biennial awards to honour the highest achievements from its Members in the Mobile Sector of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry, celebrating Member organizations that are blazing a trail within the sector.
General
- These Rules and Regulations, are applicable to and govern the “CANTO Innovation Awards 2018”, organized and conducted by CANTO.
- Participant agrees that the Participant is legally capable of entering and, if selected, participating in the Awards.
- By participating in the Awards, Participant agrees to abide by and be bound by these Rules.
- These Rules & Regulations may be modified without any prior notification. Participant is advised to regularly review these Rules.
- In the event that these Rules & Regulations do not cover any complaint or issue, this will be resolved and determined by CANTO.
- If Participants are unclear about any part of these Rules & Regulations they should address this in writing to Ms. Tricia Balthazar at email tbalthazar@canto.org
Eligibility
This award is open to all paid up Members of CANTO who are suppliers of equipment, software and technology platforms aimed at delivering services to the customer from the mobile network. The technology should be applicable to services offered on the mobile (or cellular) technologies based on open industry standards.
Award Entry Deadline
The closing date for entries for The Awards is 15th May, 2018 at midnight East Caribbean Time.
Entries
- Entry for The Awards must be made online in the form available at canto.org
- You will receive an electronic confirmation of receipt of the entry form by CANTO, and you will be emailed with an Entry Reference Number.
- The product, service, process, procedure, methodology submitted must have been available in at least one market or territory for a period during the time January 2017 to the close of nominations, May 15th, 2018, midnight East Caribbean Time (ECT).
- Entrants must also demonstrate “Live” implementation, specifically that the initiative or project is operating and available during and up to Year end 2017 and at the time of entry.
- Participation in The Awards will be construed as acceptance of these Rules and Regulations.
- You may submit additional supporting materials the format of which shall not exceed:
- One (1) x Three(3 )minute (maximum) video
- Please provide a URL link to your video (e.g. via YouTube, Vimeo or other public, English language video platforms) on the entry form and if required, please make sure you provide a password. Videos should ideally be in the English language or with English sub titles.
- Three (3) x one (1) page documents with further information, images, graphics etc.
- Supporting information to a maximum of three x 1 page documents, which could consist of independent information or data, extracts from analysts’ reports, testimonials or press articles, graphics etc. to support your entry.
- Three(3) x one(1) web pages (which should be very specific to the entry) linked by URLs
- If pointing judges to a website within your supporting materials or entry, please include a URL which is to very specific information relating to your entry, up to a maximum of three web pages, as judges will not have time to search websites looking for the pertinent information.
- Nominees will be announced on 19th June, 2018.
Multiple Entries
- A single organisation can submit as many different entries to as many categories as it would like.
Presentation of Awards
- Winners will not be notified prior to the Awards ceremony on 24th July 2018 at the CANTO Annual Conference and Exhibition in Panama where they will be presented with their Award.
Accuracy of Entry Information
- At the time and date of submitting an entry online, entrants confirm that the information supplied is truthful and accurate. If information is subsequently found to be inaccurate or incorrect, the entry or entries will be disqualified. If entries fail to meet the eligibility or criteria set out, they may be withdrawn from the Awards competition. In the event of disqualification or withdrawal, entrants will not be notified.
Judging
- Entries will be judged by a panel of independent industry experts.
- Each Entry will be evaluated based on a criteria for each category.
- Each Entry will be judged on the basis of the information provided on the entry form and any additional supporting materials, in accordance with stated category requirements.
- The decision of the judges is final. Details of the judging panel meetings will not be disclosed, nor will correspondence be entered into by CANTO regarding validation or qualification of entries or the decision of the judges.
Language
The language of the competition is English. Applications or nominations and supporting materials must be presented in English. Supporting videos may have English subtitles.
Confidentiality
CANTO reserves the right to publish brief details of any shortlisted and winning entries, including the synopsis provided by the entrant. All other supporting information will be treated in strict confidence. Note that entries are judged by external Subject Matter Experts and we advise that you not submit commercially sensitive or company confidential information.
Promotion
By entering the CANTO Innovation Awards you understand that CANTO reserves the right to use the text, video, and visual materials submitted for the purposes of promoting the Awards in advertising and promotional material related to the Awards, without further notification, permission or compensation to the entrants.