DataWind, the inventor of the Aakash tablet, continues to win accolades internationally, as it announced today that it has been named a finalist for the Global Mobile Awards 2012 (GSMA) in the category for the Best Mobile Innovation for Education. The GSMA's Mobile World Congress 2012 will be held from 27th February to 1st March 2012 in Barcelona, Spain. DataWind's innovative solution at breakthrough pricing was chosen from six hundred applicants, and the recognition validates the critical need to break the affordability barrier for devices and network access in bridging the digital divide for the next 3 billion internet users. Datawind has also been recently awarded the prestigious Young Turks Award for Innovation by CNBC and Mercedes Benz and was among the Smart UK Project finalist.

DataWind's products are built around its breakthrough web-delivery platform, covered by 18 U.S. patents, which reduces network load and delivers a fast & efficient web experience on today's congested mobile networks. Intended to empower a better quality of education through affordable devices and mobile access, DataWind's Aakash and UbiSlate tablets deliver the power of billions of web pages of content and communication to students anytime and anywhere. Michael O'Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA, said "Reflecting the intensity of competition and innovation across the mobile ecosystem, we saw a record 600 entries and an exceptionally high quality field of contenders vying for this year's Global Mobile Awards." .

"It is a significant achievement to have made the shortlist, and our warmest congratulations go to all the nominees announced today. We look forward to the unveiling of the winners at the Mobile World Congress next month," he added.

On this occasion, Mr. Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO DataWind, said "We are delighted to be recognized globally by GSMA, in the Best Mobile Innovation for Education or Learning category. It's an honor in itself to be nominated for such a renowned award. We are committed to the vision of universal internet access as a means of insuring a level playing field for billions of students worldwide."

This award category aims to highlight the rapidly increasing convergence of the mobile and education sectors, and to highlight some of the key areas of genuine innovation in learning initiatives. There are a myriad of new ways that mobile is being used in the education context and environment.

The key criteria that have been put into consideration for nomination include innovation in terms of learning functionality, technology, business models and market potential and how it links to institutional systems such as virtual learning environments and management information systems.