The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA UK) is excited to announce the finalists for the 2018 ISPA Awards! This is the 20th year for the awards - the longest running and most prestigious awards for the UK’s internet industry.

In one of the most competitive years yet, judges have poured over hundreds of entries to shortlist 67 nominees for the twelve categories announced, including the 20th Anniversary Award for those who have consistently provided exceptional services for the past 20 years. No small feat! The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on the 12th July in Manchester’s Midland Hotel.

ISPs continue to provide vital services and technological advances to keep the UK’s digital economy pumping, driving innovation and the rollout of vital infrastructure and services. The ISPA Awards is proud to recognise their contribution, whatever the size, as shown by the breadth and variety of those shortlisted for an award.

In addition to our 20th Anniversary Award, we are delighted to announce two new awards: The Best ISP PR Campaign highlights ISPs innovative marketing operations, whilst the Best Project or Partnership Award recognises ISPs who have partnered with others to produce a tangible benefit to a local community or for the wider benefit of the UK’s internet industry.

In the all-important broadband categories, Hyperoptic are once again shortlisted alongside newcomer Community Fibre and will be competing against larger players Sky and Virgin Media in the Best Superfast Broadband category. Meanwhile a range of ISPs will be competing for Best Rural and Best Business categories.

The Customer Service Award and Security Award also attracted a growing number of entries, with ISPs seeking to provide ever better services and protections for consumers.

The public will also be asked to nominate their Internet Hero for 2018, recognising the transformative way in which they have shaped the internet for the benefit of all.

ISPA’s Secretary General, Nick Lansman, commented:

“This year’s shortlisted ISPA Awards finalists demonstrate the high calibre and diversity of ISPs across the UK, who continue to drive growth and innovation across the internet industry. 2018 marks the 20th year of the UK’s most prestigious awards for the UK industry and we look forward to announcing the winners on July 12th.”

Those who have entered broadband and hosting categories have undergone technical testing by ISPA’s independent technical testing partner, thinkbroadband. An independent panel of industry experts use the results of testing, as well as written submissions from non-technically tested categories to determine winners, prior to the awards gala.

Event details

Presentation of the 2018 Awards will be made at the Midland Hotel in Manchester on the 12th July. Tickets for the black-tie ceremony, which includes entertainment, dinner and dancing can be booked here

The awards would not be made possible without the support of the 2018 ISPA Awards sponsors, Magrathea and Zen.

2018 ISPAs Shortlist

Best Superfast Broadband

Ask4

Glide

Community Fibre

Hyperoptic

Sky

Virgin Media

Best Business Broadband

Exa Networks

Hyperoptic

Luminet

M24Seven

Virgin Media

Glide

Best Rural Broadband

Airband

Beeline Broadband

Gigaclear

Oakford Internet Services

TrueSpeed Communications

Voneus

Best Customer Service

Daisy

Glide

Hyperoptic

Memset

Wifinity

Zen Internet

Best Wholesale ISP

Entanet

Gamma

Zen Internet

Best Host

catalyst2

Heart Internet

Krystal Hosting

MacAce

Memset

Storm Internet 

Best ISP PR Campaign

Airband - Rural PR campaign

Ask4 - Connected Living Report

catalyst2 – AMEX campaign

EE -  4G Antenna

Hyperoptic – ‘UK first’ demonstration

Post Office - ‘Optimise & Improve’ PR & Comms campaign

Executive of the year

Jeremy Chelot - Community Fibre

Matthew Hare - Gigaclear

Gary Hall - MacAce

Tracey Wright - Magrathea

Oliver Bryssau - Origin Broadband

Best Security

catalyst2

F-Secure

Memset

NETSCOUT Arbor

Storm Internet

Talk Straight

Best VoIP

aql

Gamma

Gradwell Communications

Soho66

Telappliant

Voipfone

Best Project or Partnership

Community Fibre – Wandsworth Council Gigabit connectivity

Exa Networks – Delivering digital connectivity to Leeds Beckett University Digital Hubs

Nominet – Using TV White Space for broadband on the Isle of Arran

UK Safer Internet Centre – Making the Internet a Safer Place

Voneus – Delivering Superfast Broadband to rural Devon

Wifinity – ‘Good Connections’ homeless hostels

20th Anniversary Award

Entanet

Gradwell Communications

Internet Watch Foundation

RM Education

Zen Internet