The recipients are Martin Cooper, considered the father of the cellphone, and Raymond Samuel Tomlinson who came up with the idea of using the '@' symbol - known as the at sign - in email addresses to separate the user's name from the domain.

Each winner of one of Spain's top honours will receive a prize of 50,000 euros (S$101,056).

The Prince of Asturias awards are also given in the fields of communication and humanities, arts, international cooperation, letters, international cooperation and sport.

Named after Crown Prince Felipe, the awards are presented in the northern Spanish city of Oviedo, capital of the Asturias region, at a glittering ceremony that is broadcast live on Spanish television. -- AFP