NXTcomm, a telecom and entertainment conference taking place in Chicago this week, has recognized Kirkland-based Clearwire for its achievements.

Today, the group announced Clearwire the winner of the Spotlight Award, an award signifying the "best of" the 2007 NXTcomm Eos Excellence of Achievement Awards.

The award was judged by members of the media (not including me!). Of all the Eos award winners, the Spotlight award additionally honors the company that has developed the most promising new technology or provided the best new network services and strategic support.

The press release said Clearwire was selected as the winner for "its wireless high-speed Internet service that is simple, fast, portable, reliable and affordable."

Eos Award winners were honored for best new technology or enterprise solution in 12 categories covering the range of wireless, broadband, and next-generation technologies and services for both public and enterprise networks.

Here's a complete list of Eos winners.

Interestingly enough, XO Communications, another company that was once led by Craig McCaw, also won an award. It was honored for its wired network. XO has been reorganized after going through bankruptcy proceedings.

Microsoft also won an award for its Connected Services Sandbox.