Korean mobile operators KT Corporation and SK Telecom have been named the joint recipients of the 2013 GSMA Chairman’s Award. Established in 1996, the award is the GSMA’s most prestigious award and recognises outstanding contribution to the growth and development of mobile communications around the world. This year’s award recognises SK Telecom and KT for their pioneering efforts and leadership in driving the adoption of SIM-based mobile near field communication (NFC) services.

“KT and SK Telecom have been at the forefront of global commercialisation of NFC, catalysing the financial ecosystem for mobile NFC from an early stage,” said Franco Bernabè, Chairman, GSMA and Chairman and CEO of Telecom Italia Group.

“These efforts have not only led to an explosion in demand for NFC-based services domestically, but ensured that the country leads in the worldwide adoption of a single standard for mobile NFC. On behalf of the GSMA, and indeed the entire mobile industry, I commend SK Telecom and KT for their cooperative spirit and a commitment to making life-enhancing new mobile services for users everywhere,” he added.