2022 AWARDS CATEGORIES
View the 2022 category descriptions below

Awards Categories
5G Service Provider of the Year
Awarded to the network operator or other 5G service provider that had the best year ever.
5G Technology Vendor of the Year
Awarded to the 5G technology vendor or software provider that is a standout example of excellence.
Best New Video/Media Product or Service
Awarded to the company that has launched the most innovative streaming video or other media product or service during the past year.
Best Public-Private Partnership
Awarded to the organizations working together to expand broadband access and help narrow the digital divide for municipalities and community institutions including school districts, nonprofits and other public sector organizations.
Company of the Year (Private)
Awarded to the privately held firm that stands out from its competitors, innovates constantly, makes investors proud and makes employees happy.
Company of the Year (Public)
Awarded to the publicly listed firm that stands out from its competitors, innovates constantly, makes investors proud and makes employees happy.
Most Innovative Broadband Access Solution
Awarded to the company that has launched the most innovative product or service that will enable the delivery of high-speed broadband access via fixed wireless, satellite, fiber or cable.
Most Innovative Cloud Product or Service
Awarded to the service provider, cloud provider or vendor that has launched the most innovative cloud-native, communications-focused product or service during the past year.
Most Innovative Home Networking Solution
Awarded to the vendor or service provider that has launched the most innovative home networking devices or platform in the past year.
Most Innovative Open RAN Product or Solution
Awarded to the vendor that has launched the most innovative open RAN product or solution during the past year.
Most Innovative Routing and Switching Solution
Awarded to the vendor that has launched the most innovative hardware- or software-based routing and switching solution for network operators.
Most Innovative Service Provider Transport Solution
Awarded to the optical systems vendor or optical components vendor that has provided the most innovative optical transport solution for service provider customers.
Outstanding Digital Enablement Vendor
Awarded to the next-generation OSS/BSS/CX, analytics or digital commerce systems vendor that stands out from its competitors, innovates constantly and helps set industry trends.
Outstanding Systems Integrator
Awarded to the vendor helping communications service providers modernize and manage their networks and businesses with innovative IT solutions.
Outstanding Test & Measurement Vendor
Awarded to the communications networking test and measurement, monitoring or assurance systems vendor that stands out from its competitors, innovates constantly and helps set the industry trends.
Outstanding Use Case: Broadband Deployment
Awarded to the company that has delivered an exceptional high-speed broadband access experience in the past year – via fixed wireless, satellite, fiber or cable.
Outstanding Use Case: Customer Experience
Awarded to the company that used its communications technology or network to deliver a superior customer experience.
Outstanding Use Case: Edge Computing
Awarded to the company that can articulate a compelling example of how it delivered edge computing solutions – either network or customer-facing.
Outstanding Use Case: Innovative IoT
Awarded to the service provider or vendor helping change businesses and improve customer experiences with innovative Internet of Things devices and services.
Outstanding Use Case: Private Wireless Networks
Awarded to the company that can share the most compelling example of building and/or operating a private wireless network on behalf of a corporate or municipal customer.
Outstanding Use Case: SD-WAN
Awarded to the service provider or vendor that can articulate a compelling example where they helped to provide an exceptional SD-WAN service to a customer.
Outstanding Use Case: Service Provider AI
Awarded to the company that is using artificial intelligence in an innovative way to improve network performance, customer service or business operations.
Outstanding Use Case: Service Provider Cybersecurity
Awarded for a compelling example of a network operator or other service provider delivering exceptional security products or services.
Light Reading MVPs
Awarded to the communications industry individuals, at any corporate level, who made an unmistakable difference in their company, in their community, in the culture – or all three.