Belfast-based software company Aepona scooped the Best Service Delivery Platform award in the GSM Association's annual Global Mobile Awards in Barcelona.

Service delivery platforms are a class of middleware software that enable mobile operators and other telecoms companies to introduce new products and services.

Aepona was recognised for its Telecom Web Services Platform that enables capabilities that reside in the mobile network, such as the location of a subscriber, to be "mashed-up" with web technologies to create new services.

The technology is already deployed by Sprint in the US and TelUS in Canada.

The judging panel said Aepona's software meant "application developers can go mobile without the nightmares".

"We are delighted to have won this prestigious award," said Michael Crossey, Aepona's vice president of marketing.