CATEGORIES & CRITERIA

Running for more than a decade, the Awards represent the gold standard of excellence in the industry - from the boardroom to the grassroots and the attendees represent the best and brightest the UK and European mobile industry has to offer.
 

To view a category, simply click on it below 

B2B & CHANNEL

Formerly Best Unified Comms Dealer & Managed Service Provider of the Year For businesses to keep the competitive edge it’s critical that are provided the best services and solutions for their specific needs and this category combines both unified comms dealers, mobile dealers and managed services who can prove they are the best. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.

CRITERIA POINTS

  • Showcase outstanding customer service
  • Business and technical innovation: walk us through your portfolio or services and solutions
  • Demonstrate financial stability and growth - include your most recent financial results
  • Diversification and adaptability
  • Showcase how you have developed new business opportunities
  • Tell us about your people and your culture

*In the event of being longlisted this category will require the entrant to present their entry in person to the judging panel at Future's London office. This should be in the format of a slide presentation, consisting of 1 x slide per criteria points. This presentation must be submitted in advance. More details regarding the submission of the presentation and dates will be provided once the longlist is announced. 

Different businesses have unique requirements and challenges that often cannot be served by a one-size-fits-all approach. This category recognises the mobile service and solution project that stands out among all others. This category is open to Unified Comm Dealers, Managed Service Providers, Dealers, IT and Mobile Resellers as well as Business Networks. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.

CRITERIA POINTS

  • Tell us about your customer
  • Tell us about the scenario you faced
  • Tell us about the services and solutions you recommended
  • Tell us the cost - showcase how this was financial successful for both you and the customer
  • What makes this project special? Provide customer testimonials

In order to win business, it pays for service and solution providers to have the right hardware, software and services to call upon when needed. Being supported by the right service can make a crucial difference in a competitive marketplace. This category recognises the best vendor across the UK mobile channel. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.

CRITERIA POINTS

  • Exciting products that have captivated customers and partners
  • Innovations in design and features
  • Balanced portfolio of products and services
  • Demonstrates market-leading execution of sales and marketing
  • A reliable partner for trade buyers in terms of forecasting, finance, and aftercare

COMPANY CATEGORIES

Our Business Growth Award invites companies which can best demonstrate how they stand out from the crowd including ambition, profitability, growth, sound business planning, customer satisfaction and management of people – they will have a “Wow Factor” that is worth celebrating. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Demonstrate the ability to showcase innovative products, services and applications
  • The ability to demonstrate strong financial performance and/or an innovative business model
  • How has the company disrupted the market and their specific segment
  • What plans are there for future growth and/or expansion.

Bringing products and or services to life is one of the most important things a vendor chooses to do - the job that an agency does can genuinely make or break the success of the technology in hand. This category recognises a collaborative effort between agencies and brands. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.

CRITERIA POINTS

  • Tell us about the campaign brief
  • What were your KPI’s?
  • What did you propose? Tell us about the services and solutions you recommended
  • Tell us the cost: showcase how this was financial successful for both you and the customer
  • What makes this campaign special? Provide customer testimonials
The Corporate Social Responsibility award is designed to honour companies in the mobile industry which make the most important contributions to those in need. The judging criteria will include assessing CSR programs as they relate to: effectiveness in impacting the communities they are focusing on, involvement of their personnel, sustainability and long term impact, as well as activities involved beyond just a financial contribution. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Define the 2020 project or initiative scope: include timelines, goals and team members. It is acceptable for the entry to focus on a particular stage of a long-term project.
  • How successful was the implementation of this project or initiative? Was it within budget and delivered in time? What have been its benefits? Provide hard evidence that goals have – or are being – achieved.
  • Feedback - provide an appropriate written reference that illustrates the success of this project.
Continuous innovation is essential for any business wanting to keep customers excited and adapt to market trends. This category recognises the innovation that stands out across the entire industry. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • What makes this product innovative and why is it unique to the market?
  • Showcase and demonstrate the number of partners who have benefited from this product and how has it has allowed them to grow their business
  • Demonstrate commercial and financial success over the last 12 months
  • Showcase how you have diversified revenue streams through this innovation

Across the Mobile Industry, the creation of a company culture is essential but it is far from easy. It’s more than just a vision, it’s something the collective can unite behind and give purpose to their employment. How has your company created an engaging, inclusive, and diverse culture that’s brought staff together, improved their experience and the company’s performance as a result? Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.

CRITERIA POINTS

  • How does your company define “Culture and Purpose” and its importance? What steps have you taken to define your culture and purpose for employees?
  • How does your company define “Diversity and Inclusion” and its importance? What steps have you taken to define your diversity and inclusion for employees?
  • Please describe your strategy and programs you have implemented to give your employees a sense of inclusion and purpose
  • Please describe how employee input and feedback has been used in your culture-building efforts. Please share specific examples of how this feedback shaped your approach
  • Please share up to three stories that illustrate the positive impact your culture-building efforts have had on your company

This award is open to a start-up business that is under two years old . The award is open to businesses operating within the the Mobile Industry. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.

CRITERIA POINTS

  • Tell us about the market size you have launched into
  • Showcase a clear, innovative business idea backed by a sound business and marketing plan
  • Showcase an on-target business and financial performance to date, and a healthy forward order book

DISTRIBUTION & SERVICES CATEGORIES

This award recognises new and innovative opportunities for the channel and is designed to reward the company who has opened up and developed markets through a combination of activities. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Business and technical innovation: walk us through your portfolio or services and solutions 
  • Financial stability and growth - include your most recent financial results
  • Diversification and adaptability
  • Showcase how you've developed new business opportunities
  • Tell us about your people and your culture
*In the event of being longlisted this category will require the entrant to present their entry in person to the judging panel at Future's London office. This should be in the format of a slide presentation, consisting of 1 x slide per criteria points. This presentation must be submitted in advance. More details regarding the submission of the presentation and dates will be provided once the longlist is announced.
To be crowned Distributor of the Year you must be the best in the industry at what you do and be a shining example to your peers and partners. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Partnership / client relations - provide testimonials 
  • Clear financial growth and success
  • Innovation in marketing, education and training
  • Adaptability to changing market conditions
  • A clear strategy for UK growth
The cost of technology and software continues to rise and end users need to approach this in a way which keeps theirs business offering sustainable and affordable. In order to do this the need for stand out finance options and lifecycle services has never been in such demand. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.
 
CRITERIA POINTS 
  • Overall excellence in delivery of service to a partner
  • Partnership / client relations- testimonials
  • Innovation in marketing, education and training
  • Adaptability to changing market conditions
  • Any initiatives to improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact?
  • A clear strategy for UK growth
This category recognises the service that has had the most impact on its clients in the past year. The market for recycling, refurbishing and repair has grown exponentially with successful propositions providing crucial revenue streams for many different areas of the industry. This award is for the service which stands above all others by proving its value to partners. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Overall excellence in delivery of service to a partner 
  • Partnership/client relations - provide testimonials 
  • Innovation in marketing, education and training
  • Adaptability to changing market conditions
  • Any initiatives to improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact?
  • A clear strategy for UK growth

NETWORK CATEGORIES

Despite an ambivalent approach to MVNOs from many networks, the sector continues to thrive and grab market share as users become increasingly price-conscious. To succeed in this space requires a tenacious and cast-iron strategy, resilience to partner pressures and a finely tuned marketing strategy. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Demonstrate innovation and technical delivery
  • Show what was done in the last 12 months to improve coverage
  • Show what was done in the last 12 months to improve support services
  • Show what was done in the last 12 months to grow user trust
  • Explain what steps were taken to protect ARPU
  • Provide evidence of financial growth 
An MVNO can only be as innovative as the service it is able to provide. This category rewards the MVNO partner that does the most to champion and support the MVNOs dependent on their services. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Showcase using technical innovation to suit client USPs
  • Provide testimonials from MVNO partners
  • Demonstrate and quantify business success
  • Show how the business has driven MVNO partner success
With flexible working and productivity at the forefront of government policy and employer strategies, the importance of reliable, high speed mobile connectivity will continue to grow. The operator which meets these demands while delivering first class support and a service tailored to individual business needs will be crowned Best Network for Business. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Showcase and demonstrate your current business offering and why this is worthy of being crowned the network for business including marketing initiatives
  • Excellent customer service and support - provide case studies and testimonials to support
  • What investment and or technical developments have you made to the network core, mobile edge and services over the last 12 months?
  • Tell us about the number of business customers you serve vs. your total network customer headcount
  • Demonstrate financial growth and any accolades in the last 12 months, also explain what steps were taken to protect ARPU
Change in user habits and the introduction of 5G has seen many operators use alliteration of unlimited and limitless data offers , however who has done the most technically, on proposition and in marketing to take our Best Network for Data crown. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Showcase and demonstrate your current Data offering and why this is worthy of being crowned the best network for data
  • Excellent customer service and support 
  • What investment and or technical developments have you made to the network core, mobile edge and services over the last 12 months?
  • Tell us about the amount of data used across your network vs. your total customer headcount
  • Demonstrate financial growth and any accolades across the last 12 months
It is widely considered that operators can do more to look after their customers, and this award recognises the operator who stands out above its competitors when it comes to loyalty and retention. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Showcase and demonstrate your current retention and loyalty offering, including marketing initiatives
  • Excellent customer service and support 
  • What investment and or developments have you made to the loyalty and retention services you offer over the last 12 month?
  • Tell us about the success you have keeping your customers as well as the average amount of time your customer has been with you
  • Demonstrate financial growth and any accolades across the last 12 months, also explain what steps were taken to protect ARPU

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES

Without great people, the UK mobile industry would not be the success it is. This year’s winner, nominated by their peers and colleagues is truly at the heartbeat of our amazing industry, and unquestionably deserves to have their contribution celebrated. Max length 500 words. 

CRITERIA POINTS

  • Must have been in the industry for 10 years more 
  • Someone who has inspired and innovated the company and industry
  • Why does this person deserve to receive our coveted outstanding contribution award?

The only award of its kind, the Power 50 ranks the industry’s most influential individuals, with the prestigious number one spot announced live at the Mobile Industry Awards. Now in its 9th year, the extraordinary calibre of previous winners ensures the competition’s developments are anticipated with bated breath as headquarters across the country cheer on their candidate.

Shop Idol is the ultimate UK-wide search for the nation's best mobile store salesperson. Hundreds of entrants from every major retailer take part in Mystery Shops, interviews and challenges to determine their product knowledge, customer service skills and of course, their sales power! Find out more on our dedicated website. 

RETAIL CATEGORIES

The most powerful sales channel in the UK mobile space demands seamless integration of sales, logistics, marketing and purchasing to survive, and excellence and ingenuity in these areas to thrive. This award goes to the high street retailer that has done more than any other to provide the very best in retail experience and results. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point. 
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Demonstrate commercial performance
  • Provide the best in-store experience for customers
  • Explain how the retail strategy relates to key industry trends and challenges
  • Show initiatives aimed at growing customer relationships and selling additional services
  • Promote best practice in customer service
*In the event of being longlisted this category will require the entrant to present their entry in person to the judging panel at Future's London office. This should be in the format of a slide presentation, consisting of 1 x slide per criteria points. This presentation must be submitted in advance. More details regarding the submission of the presentation and dates will be provided once the longlist is announced.
To be successful in a competitive online market, today’s retailers must not only secure the best deals, they must market them in innovative ways to grab the brief attention span of consumers. This award recognises the key role online retailers play in the mobile industry, and rewards the company which has performed to its fullest over the course of year. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point. 
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Best products and services
  • A clear and easy to use online store
  • Best customer service, including after care services
  • Best for generating hits with products, marketing and deals
  • Innovation
  • Marketing initiatives
  • Commercial performance

*In the event of being longlisted this category will require the entrant to present their entry in person to the judging panel at Future's London office. This should be in the format of a slide presentation, consisting of 1 x slide per criteria points. This presentation must be submitted in advance. More details regarding the submission of the presentation and dates will be provided once the longlist is announced.

With so many great devices available today, customers need to have the option to trade in older products to help upgrade or simply earn a little cash. This category recognises retail services both across online or in-store.  Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point. 
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • A clear mobile proposition suited to the brand’s approach to retail and clientele
  • Products and services encompassing a spectrum of user demands
  • A support process which helps users from first contact to post-sale
  • Demonstrable strength in supply, securing the best products at the best prices
  • Quantifiable business success within the mobile space
  • Demonstrate your commitment to the environment and to customer security and privacy
  • A successful and consistent approach to marketing
  • Provide testimonials to support the above
The most tech-savvy customer can find themselves going in-store or online when needing to repair their handset. This can often be a stressful or expensive experience, and this category recognises the best repair service, whether online or in-store. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point. 
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • A clear mobile proposition suited to the brand’s approach to retail and clientele
  • Products and services encompassing a spectrum of user demands
  • A support process which helps users from first contact to post-sale
  • Demonstrable strength in supply, securing the best products at the best prices
  • Quantifiable business success within the mobile space
  • A successful and consistent approach to marketing
  • Provide testimonials to support the above

MANUFACTURER CATEGORIES

This award recognises the accessory manufacturer which has best utilised its products, market position and relationships to drive its overall strategy and reputation within the industry and beyond. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point. 
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Exciting products that have captivated consumers and partners 
  • Innovations in design and features
  • Balanced range of products
  • Demonstrated market leading execution of sales and marketing
  • Been a reliable partner for trade buyers in terms of forecasting, finance, returns and aftercare
This category is designed to recognise the impact manufacturer’s field marketing teams have on the success of the business in their work to educate and train high street and contact centre retail staff. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point.
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Outstanding impact in the retail community
  • Outstanding impact in call centres
  • Innovation in marketing, education and training
  • Exceptional results and significant stand out for the manufacturer
  • Adaptability to changing market conditions
  • High impact launch campaigns with excellent ROI
  • A strategy reflecting the manufacturer’s brand image
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Launched and on sale between 1st July 2019 and 29th March 2020   
  • Highest specs for the price
  • Best for usability
  • Best for looks
  • Best for features and services
  • Excited both customers and retail partners

Please note, this category is chosen by our judging panel and as such nominations are not taken.

The best device launched and on sale between 1st July 2019 and 29th March 2020  
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Highest specifications for the price £450 and above, sim free 
  • Best for usability
  • Best for looks
  • Best for features and services
  • Excited both customers and retail partners

Please note, this category is chosen by our judging panel and as such nominations are not taken.

Ruggedised devices, whether smartphones, laptops, tablets or 2-in-1 models (commonly known as convertibles or hybrids), have been one of the brighter points in an otherwise very morose mobile computing market. Higher margins, the propensity to build solutions around devices and the ability to carve out niches have made the ruggedised category an even more enticing one. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point. 
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Exciting products that have captivated customers and partners 
  • Innovations in design and features
  • Balanced range of products
  • Demonstrated market leading execution of sales and marketing
  • Been a reliable partner for trade buyers in terms of forecasting, finance, returns and aftercare
This award recognises the smartphone manufacturer which has best utilised its products, market position and relationships to drive their overall strategy and reputation within the industry and beyond. Please limit your answers to a maximum of 350 words per criteria point. 
 
CRITERIA POINTS
  • Exciting products that have captivated consumers and partners 
  • Innovations in design and features
  • Balanced range of products
  • Demonstrated market leading execution of sales and marketing
  • Been a reliable partner for trade buyers in terms of forecasting, finance, returns and aftercare