The IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal is an award honoring "exceptional contributions to communications and networking sciences and engineering" in the field of telecommunications.

It was instituted in 1976 by the directors of IEEE, commemorating the centennial of the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell.

[1] The institute's reasoning for the award was described thus: The invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 was a major event in electrotechnology.

As an individual, Bell himself exemplified the contributions that scientists and engineers have made to the betterment of mankind.

[1]Recipients of the award receive a gold medal, bronze replica, certificate, and an honorarium.