Awards
The search for the “gold standard” in connectivity, multifamily tech, and community impact has officially begun.
Broadband Communities is proud to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Broadband Communities Awards. Since 2004, these awards (click here to view last year’s winners) have served as the industry’s premier benchmark for excellence, honoring the visionaries and builders who are quite literally weaving the digital fabric of our nation.
A new standard for excellence
This year, the awards are about more than just recognition—they are about credibility and transparency. We have refined our judging process and updated our categories to reflect the rapidly evolving landscape of 2026. From the massive influx of BEAD-funded deployments to the sophisticated “technology-first” mindset of modern multifamily properties, we want to ensure that every award won is an award “worth shouting about.”
2026 award categories
Whether you are a “boots on the ground” construction partner or a visionary leader at a major ISP, there is a category that reflects your impact:
| Category | Who should enter? |
| Broadband Project of the Year | High-impact deployments with measurable results since Jan 2025. |
| Broadband Provider of the Year | ISPs demonstrating elite customer service and innovative partnerships. |
| Broadband Visionary Award | Active leaders who have fundamentally changed the industry’s trajectory. |
| Multifamily Partner of the Year | Vendors and consultants solving complex connectivity for MDUs. |
| Community Improvement Award | Public-sector or operator projects that utilize tech for the greater good. |
| Rural Connectivity Award | Organizations overcoming the unique hurdles of the “digital divide.” |
| Construction Partner of the Year | Engineering teams and contractors focused on safety and speed to market. |
| Technology Partner of the Year | Systems integrators and vendors bringing complex technical designs to life. |
Additional categories include
- Property of the Year
- Tribal Lands Award
- Startup of the Year (live pitch!)
- Workforce Development
- Customer Experience
- Wireless Initiative Award
Save the date: Houston 2026
The winners will be unveiled in a high-energy ceremony at the end of Day 1 of the Broadband Communities Summit 2026, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, on August 26, 2026. All summit ticket holders are invited to attend and celebrate the best our industry has to offer.
“If you make the effort to enter these awards, we want to make sure they are worth winning,” says the Broadband Communities editorial team. “Our enhanced judging process ensures that the 2026 winners represent the absolute pinnacle of network innovation and community service.”
How to nominate
Don’t let your team’s hard work go unrecognized. Our panel of judges—to be announced soon—is looking for data-driven success stories, imaginative partnerships, and projects that move the needle.
Nominations are open to all sectors of the broadband, telco, and multifamily industries.
