SMART Communications Inc. (Smart) has been nominated in the newly introduced "Green Mobile Award" category of the 2009 GSMA Global Mobile Awards for its Alternative Power for Cell Sites Program.

"We are very happy to receive the GSMA Global Mobile Awards nomination. As the Philippines' leading wireless services provider, Smart recognizes the importance of initiating efforts, such as the use of renewable energy sources to power off-grid base stations to help lower operating costs and reduce carbon emissions," said Smart president and CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno.

Valentine's 2009 blog

This is the first time that the GSMA Global Mobile Awards is featuring the category.

The "Green Mobile Award" aims to recognize mobile operators that have initiated programs and projects to promote environmental protection and sustainability. This includes initiatives that utilize alternative energy sources, recycling programs, use of mobile applications or products that reduce impact of the industry on the environment, employee engagement activities that increase environmental awareness and the like.

Smart also received nominations in the Best Use of Mobile for Social and Economic Development category and the Marketing & Promotion-Best Broadcast Commercial category for the Infoboard Community Solution and the Smart Bring Me Along TV Commercial for Uzzap, respectively.

Previously, Smart has received recognition from the prestigious GSM awards. In 2001, Smart won the Most Innovative GSM Wireless Service for Customers award for its electronic wallet service Smart Money.

Meanwhile, Smart Load, the over-the-air prepaid reloading service, was cited as the Best Mobile Application or Service - Consumer Market in 2004. Most recently, Smart's "1-in-5 Panalo" promo implemented for the global cola brand Pepsi was awarded Best Mobile Advertising in the GSMA's inaugural Asia Mobile Awards 2007.

Smart, through its Network Services Division (NSD), initiated the "Alternative Power for Cell Sites" program, which uses renewable energy sources to power cell sites in off-grid locations.

Now, there are about 68 cell sites in different areas across the Philippines powered by renewable energy. Of this figure, 41 are run by wind energy while 27 are hybrid - using both wind and solar energy.

In December 2006, Smart worked with a local vendor to set up the Philippines' first wind-powered cell site in Sitio Guimbitayan in Malapascua Island, an island northeast of Cebu province in the Visayas region.

In the latter part of 2008, a GSMA Development Fund survey of 25 mobile operators across the developing world that use renewable energy sources revealed that Smart is the leader among mobile network operators worldwide in using wind energy to power its cell sites.

"Our congratulations go to all the nominees in this year's Global Mobile Awards," said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSMA in a press statement of the association. "Mobile communications continue to drive social, economic and technological development, as the calibre of entries this year again illustrates. To have been nominated from such a high quality field of more than 450 companies that entered is a tremendous achievement, and we await the announcement of the winners at the next month's Global Mobile Awards evening in Barcelona with great interest."

The winner will be announced at the GSMA Global Mobile Awards Gala Dinner at the Palau Nacional in Barcelona, Spain this February 17.

The annual GSM awards aims to recognize and honor people, organizations and companies that deliver new ideas, methods or technologies that improve the quality of life of mobile subscribers and contribute to industry growth.

The GSMA consists of more than 750 mobile operators and 250 manufacturers and suppliers. Members currently provide mobile phone services to one billion customers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. (Press release)