ISPA, the Internet Services Providers’ Association, has announced the finalists for the 12th Annual UK Internet Industry Awards.

Orange and NewNet lead the way with four nominations and last year’s winners O2 and Claranet have both been nominated again in the coveted Best Consumer Broadband and Best Business Broadband categories.

The battle for finalists’ places was ultra-competitive again this year with a large number of entries in all categories. Finalists in the majority of categories are selected based on three months of rigorous testing by ISPA’s technical testing partner, Epitiro.

Responsibility for selecting the winners now lies with a high-profile panel of expert judges, which is this year chaired by Think Broadband Editor Andrew Ferguson. Race Online 2012 is separately judging the new Digital Inclusion category. A full list of finalists is available below, with the shortlist for the Internet Hero and Villain categories being announced shortly.

The finalists’ attention will now turn to the 8th July, where the winners will be announced at a sparkling black tie awards ceremony at the Grosvenor Marriott Hotel. We are delighted to reveal our compere for the evening, well-known comedian Bob Mills, who will be joined by talented musicians to entertain guests throughout the evening.

Tickets for the event can be purchased via the ISPA Awards website with ISPA members and Awards finalists able to claim significant discounts.

ISPA Secretary General, Nicholas Lansman said, "Each year the ISPA Awards rewards the UK’s top Internet companies after a process that involves thorough technical testing and judging from an independent panel. I would like to congratulate all of the finalists and look forward to welcoming them to the Awards gala dinner ceremony, which looks like being one of our biggest to date."

For information on tickets or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact awards@ispa.org.uk or go to www.ispaawards.org.uk

ISPA 2010 Awards categories and finalists:

Best Consumer Fixed Broadband
Be Broadband
Karoo (Kingston Communications)
NewNet plc
O2
Virgin Media

Best Business Fixed Broadband
Claranet
Entanet International Ltd
Fluidata Ltd
NewNet plc
Timico
Urban Wimax Ltd

Best Mobile Broadband
FREEDOM4 WiFi
O2
Orange UK
Vodafone

Best Consumer Customer Service ISP
Be Broadband
Karoo Broadband
O2
Orange
Plusnet
Virgin Media

Best Business Customer Service ISP
C4L
Claranet
Eclipse Internet
Entanet
Exa Networks

Best Shared Hosting
123-reg
Namesco Limited
Netcetera
NewNet plc
Webfusion

Best Dedicated Hosting
Exa Networks
Fluidata Ltd
Namesco Limited
NewNet plc
Tagadab Ltd

Best Internet Telephony
Entanet International Ltd
Gradwell
iNet Telecoms Ltd (Voipfone)
Noble Solutions
Timico

Access Innovation
Aql
Cybermoor Ltd
South West Internet CIC
Truphone
Vodafone

Digital Inclusion
Bolton Literacy Trust
Kingston Communications (KC)
NHS Choices
South West Internet CIC
Westminster City Council

Internet Safety
BT Total Broadband
Childnet International
Nominet
Orange UK
Vispa

Corporate Social Responsibility
Kingston Communications
Orange UK
UKFast
Webfusion

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Notes to the editor:

The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA) was established in 1995 as a trade association to represent providers of Internet services in the UK. ISPA promotes competition, self-regulation and the development of the Internet industry. For a list of members or other information about ISPA, please consult the website: www.ispa.org.uk

The views expressed in this release are those of the Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA) and do not necessarily reflect the corporate policies of the individual companies that are members of the Association or other organisations that may be mentioned in the release. For further editorial information please contact the ISPA Press Office (020 7340 8741).

About The ISPA Awards:

The ISPAs - the UK Internet industry awards - are unique as they are awarded to people and organisations in the industry following rigorous testing and an independent judging process and reflect the broad nature of the internet service provider sector.

The Internet Services Providers' Association (ISPA UK) has been organising the UK Internet Industry Awards since 1999 to herald the best of the Internet industry and to celebrate innovation and best practice. In 2002 the awards were dubbed “The ISPAs" by the BBC.