Connectivity Awards Finalists Have Been Announced
Capacity has named 142 firms as finalists for the 2026 Global Connectivity Awards following a competitive selection process.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Data Centers
Capacity has released the shortlist of 142 companies vying for honors in the 2026 Global Connectivity Awards. The nominees were selected from an initial pool of over 500 submissions across 39 distinct award categories.
Why it matters
The awards program, which has operated for 22 years, serves as a benchmark for infrastructure providers and innovation in the global network sector. The high volume of submissions underscores the ongoing competition for market influence in connectivity and data center infrastructure.
Sparkle leads the list with eight nominations, followed by Telin and Telecom Egypt with seven each. Categories reflect current industry priorities, including 19 finalists for Best Network Technology and Software Development and 16 finalists for Best AI Innovation.
The players
Capacity
An industry media entity that provides news and analysis for the global connectivity and data center markets.
Sparkle
A telecommunications service provider specializing in international infrastructure and submarine cable networks.
Telin
The international arm of Telkom Indonesia that manages a large-scale global network and data center footprint.
Telecom Egypt
The primary provider of integrated telecommunications and subsea infrastructure in Egypt and the surrounding region.
Singtel
A regional telecommunications conglomerate with extensive infrastructure assets and data center investments.
The details
Companies submitted formal entries for consideration across 39 categories related to network infrastructure and data center operations. An internal panel curated the shortlist of 142 finalists from more than 500 total submissions based on the criteria established for each award class. The selection process narrows the field for the upcoming ceremony to be held at the Indigo at The O₂ in London.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: Capacity announced the shortlist of 142 companies.
October 14, 2026: Winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony.
The Tech Race
The awards program tracks the competitive trajectory of global network and data center providers over its 22-year history. The emergence of specialized categories like Best AI Innovation marks the current field-level shift toward infrastructure integration for machine learning workflows.
The awards serve as a signal for enterprise customers to identify industry leaders in network performance and software development. Readers tracking infrastructure procurement can watch the final results to identify which providers currently hold the top performance benchmarks in AI and software.
The takeaway
The competition highlights how software and AI-based optimization have become as critical as physical infrastructure in the connectivity sector. Watch for the final list of winners on October 14 to see which technological approaches dominated the year's industry benchmarks.
What happens next
Winners will be formally announced at the awards ceremony in London on October 14, 2026.
Further reading
For broader trends in infrastructure, explore the latest reporting on Data Centers.
More information
View the complete Global Connectivity Awards 2026 finalist list.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Capacity.
