Grameenphone has been honoured with the Digital Nation Award by the GSMA for democratising connectivity and digitally empowering communities.

The telecom company has been awarded thanks to its efforts to minimise the digital divide through vast, high-speed, affordable, accessible internet penetration and to empower communities across Bangladesh by accelerating their digital adoption.  

Hossain Sadat, senior director for corporate affairs at Grameenphone, received the prestigious Digital Nation Award at the JW Marriott South Beach in Singapore on behalf of Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman, the mobile phone operator said in a statement today.

"We are on a mission to digitally empower Bangladesh over the last 25 years. As a digital connectivity partner, our role has become imperative in transforming lives and contributing more to minimising the digital divide," the Grameenphone CEO said.

"In order for us to become a smart nation, we must continue enabling communities with our rural & youth-first approach and unleash potential further. We feel humbled to receive this recognition by GSMA for our digitisation efforts and we will continue to strive to enable the nation to get ready for a Smart Bangladesh." 

The "Time is now" campaign which secured the winning nomination was a visual demonstration of how Grameenphone's mobile technology has advanced the digital transformation of communities across Bangladesh.

The mango seller example shared showed how supporting one entrepreneur with their shift into a digital world, enabling them to best utilize e-commerce and transform their business through high-speed connectivity and digital solutions, can empower whole communities.

Mobile 360 Digital Nations Awards, hosted by GSMA, Mobile 360Asia Pacific, is an initiative to recognise the mobile industry's vital role in providing access to critical information, delivering digital inclusion, connecting the unconnected and supporting economic growth.

This year, 15 submissions were shortlisted, which were then adjudicated by a panel of judges with hands-on experience in this sector.

Grameenphone also received Digital Bangladesh Award in 2021 given by the Bangladesh government.