Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) has been shortlisted in four categories of the prestigious Asia Mobile Awards 2009. Already on its third year, the awards are presented by the GSM Association, the global trade group for the mobile industry.

Smart’s shortlisted entries include: Smart Money’s expanded mobile-based security feature for online purchases under the Best Mobile Money Service category; Smart Islands Activation Program (IAP) under the Mobile Money for the Unbanked Award category; Smart Post-Marketing Waste Management Initiative (tarpaulin recycling) under The Green Mobile Award category; and the AXE for AXE on Phone, in partnership with Unilever, under the Best Mobile Advertising or Marketing category.

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Winners will be announced during the Mobile Asia Congress in Hong Kong on November 18, 2009.

“All of our innovations are results of Smart’s continuing efforts to provide excellent, convenient, and customized services for our diverse subscriber base. Being a finalist in not just one, but in four categories, is already a major achievement for the company and for the country. This international recognition shows that the telecommunications industry in the Philippines is dynamic, advanced, and world-class,” said Napoleon Nazareno, President and CEO of Smart.

SMART is the only Philippine telecommunications company that has won at the Asia Mobile Awards. The company received its first Asia Mobile Award in 2007 under the Best Mobile Advertising category for the Pepsi 1 in 5 Panalo (winner) Summer Promo, in partnership with Zad Mobile.

GSMA’s annual Asia Mobile Awards program is designed to highlight and reward the latest change-driving products, services, innovation and initiatives from across the mobile eco-system that serve the diverse Asian market place. Starting this year, GSMA has announced that winners of the Asia Mobile Awards will be automatically shortlisted for the Global Mobile Awards, which will be held during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain in 2010.

The GSMA represents more than 750 GSM mobile operators as well as 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organizations, across 219 countries and territories. (PR)