SCF Awards Judge and Editor of The Mobile Network magazine Keith Dyer has written a blog for us focussing on the reasons for entering the Social Impact Category at the 2016 Small Cell Forum Awards.
A year ago I was lead judge on the Social Impact category of the Small Cell Awards. That meant I was the judge with the least work to do, because although the judges had some good quality entries to consider, compared to other categories the quantity of entries was low.
So although I am always glad to be handed an excuse to do less work, I did ponder the reasons for the lower number of entries.
One may have been because of a lack of understanding about what the award entails. So let’s clear that up – the judges are looking for “entries which demonstrate any form of significant positive impact on the socio-economic climate, and the external environment, in which citizens live in any part of the world.”
Another reason for the low number of entries may be a perception that the award lacks the prestige of other awards. Again, I don’t understand that – what better cache is there than winning an award that recognises real, tangible social and environmental achievement?
So if you are wavering about entering this award, please un-waver and make your submission. It won’t take you long and will put your company right in amongst those who are using small cells to bring about a genuine social, economic and environmental impact.
Your project could have been one that empowered a community that was previously unconnected – bringing economic gains as a result of using small cells to narrow the digital divide. It could be a dedicated small cell deployment in an emergency or disaster situation. It could be a deployment that lessens the environmental impact of a macrocellular deployment.
In essence, if you have used small cells for the good of society – economically, socially, or environmentally – then get your entry in.
At the very least you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have given me more work to do.
The awards close on Thursday 31 March – enter here.
Keith is Editor of The Mobile Network Magazine which provides conversations and news from the mobile network tech sector. He also founded Inside5G, the industry’s 5G blog. You can follow Keith on Twitter here @keithdyer