The idea that beat the rest of the telecom world

• Dialog and hSenid share the story behind the game-changing concept and the big win at the Mobile World Congress

It was an application that was submitted in the spur of a moment; a bold decision to go for it despite the odds. They were the minnows in the global arena, competing against the likes of KT, VimpelCom and China Telecom. What were they thinking? Since 2001, Dialog had submitted applications only under the emerging and inclusion award categories. Yet here they were, with an application in hand for the ‘Best Technology Enabler’ award at the prestigious GSMA’s Mobile World Awards; it was a shot in the dark.
There was a glimmer of hope in their minds, for a couple of reasons. Dialog with the help of hSenid as their mobile technology solutions provider, had turned around the entire mobile app developer eco-system in Sri Lanka till that point. With more than 3,500 apps, 2,000+ developers and over 100 start ups; Ideamart was powering the next wave of telco start ups in the country. Ideamart had become the most sought-after developer engagement program from students to hardcore app developers. 

Seated at the gala venue in Barcelona, the Dialog team felt a little knot in their stomachs. It was time for the award for the ‘Best Technology Enabler’ and their name was among the nominees alongside the likes of KT, VimpelCom and China Telecom. It was very much like the moment when the envelope for Best Actor award was being opened at the Oscars; the moment when John Cleese announced the winner. And it was Ideamart. 

In an exclusive interview with the Daily FT, Dialog Chief Information Officer Anthony Rodrigo and hSenid Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Saparamadu took us through the journey of a world mobile award winning solution. Following are excerpts: Read more>>