On March 25, Dots for Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Carlos Oba), a company deploying decentralized network infrastructure and services tailored to solving challenges in off-grid, disconnected rural areas of Africa, announced that it has won the "2026 Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO Awards)" hosted by GSMA at MWC Barcelona 2026, the world's largest mobile industry exhibition held in Barcelona, Spain.
The GLOMO Awards are considered the most prestigious awards in the mobile industry. This victory marks a historic milestone—not only is Dots for the first independent Japanese startup to win, but it is also only the second Japanese company in history to receive this honor, following Rakuten Mobile in 2021.
Dots for was selected as the winner in the "Digital Inclusion & Usage-Gap Impact" category under the "Tech4Good" umbrella, which focuses on solving social issues. Amidst a nominee list featuring tech giants and global carriers like Apple and Samsung, a Japanese startup securing the world's top evaluation for innovation and social implementation is a highly exceptional achievement.
In this year's judging process, the company's overwhelming track record in closing the "Usage-gap" and promoting "Digital Inclusion" in unserved areas of Africa was highly commended.
For the "Usage-gap" demographic—people who live within network coverage but cannot access the internet due to cost or skill barriers—Dots for provides a unique penetration and education model closely integrated with local communities. This approach goes beyond merely providing a connection, enabling truly effective digital access.
Furthermore, the company has introduced a proprietary decentralized network to African villages that existing large-scale infrastructure cannot adequately cover, creating an environment where residents can enjoy education, healthcare, and financial services for the very first time. Rather than relying on massive capital investments or subsidies, local residents themselves participate in operating the infrastructure, transforming them into key players in the digital economy. This sustainable and scalable business model was strongly endorsed as a guiding light for the global mobile industry.
"What we are most proud of is not merely our technological superiority, but that the real-world impact of our 'Digital Inclusion' efforts has been recognized globally. People who were once deprived of opportunities due to a lack of infrastructure are now taking smartphones into their own hands and beginning to carve out their own futures. Taking on the challenge to bridge this 'Usage-gap' is exactly why we exist. With this award as a catalyst, we will continue to expand the possibilities of digital technology across Africa and to unserved areas around the world."
■ ICT Startup League
A support program launched in FY2023, sparked by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Startup Creation Embryonic Research and Development Support Project."
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four main pillars:
1. R&D Funding / Hands-on Support
Up to 20 million JPY in R&D funding is provided in the form of subsidies. For hands-on support, the selection evaluation committee members who were involved in choosing the league members continue to stay closely involved post-selection to accelerate growth. For companies the committee deemed "absolute must-selects," the evaluators themselves provide continuous, dedicated backing, offering advice on business plans and providing growth opportunities.
2. Discovery & Incubation
We provide opportunities for learning and networking to spur the business growth of league members.
We are also expanding our reach by actively discovering individuals aiming to start businesses in the future.
3. Competition & Co-creation
Functioning as an arena for positive competition akin to a sports league, startups learn together and engage in friendly rivalry to win the exact amount of funding they truly need (up to 20 million JPY). We also provide a space for co-creation where league members can collaborate and expand their businesses through various opportunities, such as sessions led by the evaluation committee.
4. Broadcasting & PR
We broadcast the initiatives of our league members in collaboration with the media! By ensuring these businesses reach a wider audience, we aim to broaden the horizons for new matching opportunities and business chances.
■ Related Websites
ICT Startup League
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Dots for Inc. (Official Website)
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Dots for Inc. (LEAGUE MEMBER)
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2026 GLOMO Awards Winners List (Official GSMA)
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Original Press Release
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