Digital inclusion and broadband rollout nominees dominate the 2022 Internet Hero nominees at the ISPA Awards

7 November 2022

The Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) has unveiled the shortlist for the 2022 Internet Hero at the annual internet industry awards with organisations and individuals championing digital inclusion and helping gigabit-capable broadband rollout dominating the nominations. The nominees are reflective of big topics within industry. For example, the acceleration of gigabit-capable broadband rollout continues with more than 70% gigabit capable and 40% full fibre coverage While the need to ensure all can benefit from affordable and reliable broadband increases with cost-of-living pressures is also included.  

ISPA crowd-sourced recommendations from the public via social media and canvassed its members to come up with a list worthy nominees: 

• Marcus Hughes, the Better Internet Dashboard (BIDB): Better Internet Dashboard (Marcus Hughes) – for the development of an open access tool that helps map the rollout of new UK broadband and mobile networks and help the UK public track the real time progress of ISP progress to full ‘gigabit capable’ coverage 

• B4RN (Broadband for the Rural North) – for their continued work to help connect remote areas through their community driven broadband infrastructure and services. After winning the Hero award 10 years ago, the nomination highlights their legacy delivering to rural communities 
• Digital Poverty Alliance – for bringing together the various digital inclusion projects and initiatives from across civil society and industry at a time where it has never been needed more  
• Starlink – for providing essential satellite broadband services to Ukraine following the Russian invasion 

ISPA Council will select the overall winner which will be unveiled at the gala awards ceremony November 24th at the Landmark Hotel, Marylebone, London. Last year saw Helen Milner, CEO of Good Things Foundation, crowned Internet Hero for campaigning to improve access to internet connectivity for all. The Internet Villain makes a welcome – or should that be unwelcome – return this year after several years absence. This year, ISPA has decided the anticipation can be extended slightly further, with the sole winner being announced on the 24th at the gala ceremony. We are hoping all those in attendance will be very excited to find out who has won the coveted title of ‘Internet Villain’. 

ISPA Chair, Steve Leighton commented, “The annual ISPA awards celebrates the great and the good in the ISP sector over the past twelve months. The Internet Hero & Villain categories are a great opportunity to celebrate those who have contributed to our sector in the past year, whilst also reflecting on some of the serious issues we have faced. I am delighted to congratulate all the organisations shortlisted for this year’s Internet Hero award and wait with bated breath to discover who has earned this year’s much desired Internet Villain title”  

ISPA Awards 

The 24th ISPA awards on the 24th of November 2022 will take place at the Landmark Hotel, London. Running since 1999, these awards are the showcase event in the internet industries calendar, celebrating the sector over the past 12 months.   

The event is nearing maximum capacity, with only a few tickets remaining – if you want to be there for the announcement of the hotly anticipated hero and villain, get your tickets booked today via the link below!  

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ispa-awards-2022-tickets-344202718597