Data News Awards: Orange is on a roll

Data News is the trade journal for the Belgian ICT sector. Each year, it commissions an independent jury to bestow the Data News Awards for Excellence to companies from the industry. For the 2022 edition, the ICT sector again gathered in large numbers at Brussels Expo: with 1,300 guests, the event broke its previous record.

“And there were still another 200 guests on the waiting list,” says Kristof Van der Stadt, editor-in-chief at Data News. “We’d like to have had everyone there, but there were simply too few tables and seats available.” An unprecedented upsurge in the desire to party? “That undoubtedly played a role, although it was also to do with the fact that the Belgian ICT sector is doing extremely well right now. No one wanted to miss the event.”

Two nominations for Orange Belgium

The value of a nomination for the Data News Awards for Excellence cannot be overstated. From a list of suggestions, the general public chooses a shortlist of five nominations for each of the award categories. This year, Data News received just under 10,000 votes – yet another record. An independent jury – chaired this year by Stijn Viaene from Vlerick Business School – designated the winners.

The nominations for Orange Belgium in the Communications Innovator of the Year category and Orange Cyberdefense as the Cybersecurity Company of the Year prove that Orange is top of mind among the companies and ICT professionals who cast their votes. “The scores were very close,” says Van der Stadt, who as deputy chair headed the deliberations. “The jury felt that Orange was on a roll.”

Positive resonance

The jury report confirms the positive position of Orange in the Belgian market, as a company that successfully guides its customers in their digital evolution and offers them optimal support – with the relevant ICT solutions – to expand their growth opportunities.

Among other things, the acquisition of VOO made a strong impression and is very promising for the plans that Orange has in Belgium. “Expectations are high, including for the next edition of the awards,” says Van der Stadt. The jury also praised the way Orange is enthusiastically supporting 5G in the Port of Antwerp, as a pioneer in the development of 5G for industry.