The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA UK) has announced the finalists for the 2016  annual awards, the longest running and most prestigious Internet industry awards in the UK. Fifty companies have made the shortlist across fifteen categories and the winners will be announced at the gala ceremony on 7 July.

The ISPA Awards recognise ISPs of all shapes and sizes and the shortlist highlights the true breadth of the industry, plus the services that keep the UK at the leading edge of the digital economy.

Vodafone are leading the way with six nominations with Catalyst2, Exa Networks, Hyperoptic and Storm Internet close behind with four apiece and BTRelish and Wessex Internet on three.

Over two million tests were carried out by thinkbroadband and Malden to identify the shortlists for the broadband, hosting and VoIP categories and this testing, as well as the expert judging panel, keeps the ISPAs truly independent.

As well as ISPs and hosts,  there are several new categories that reward the ISP supply chain and showcase the latest innovations. Best Tech Law Firm and Best CPE Hardware reward those who provide critical services to ISPs and Best Marketing showcases the creativity of the ISP community. Furthermore, Best Cloud Product is aimed at those who offer great value added services.

ISPA Secretary General Nick Lansman said “The companies shortlisted at this year’s ISPAs play a vital role in connecting the UK and this year has an incredible range of companies nominated. We are proud to say that this is the 18th ISPAs and I look forward to finding out the winners at the gala black tie ceremony on 7 July .”

Using these results, and the written entry forms, an independent panel of industry experts will decide the winners.

The ceremony for the 2016 ISPAs is in the prestigious Brewery in the City of London on Thursday 7 July and tickets can be booked here. Finalists may licence logos to publicise their nomination here.

The ISPA Awards would not be possible without the sponsors and we would like to thank them for their support. Arista Networks are sponsoring Best Cloud Product,  AVSytem is sponsoring Best Consumer Broadband, DrayTek sponsor the table pieces, Magrathea Telecom sponsor Best VoIP and Ruckus sponsor the Best Wireless award.

The 2016 ISPAs shortlists

Best Superfast Broadband

  • Hyperoptic
  • Relish
  • RM
  • Venus
  • Vision Fibre Media
  • Wessex Internet

Best Consumer Fixed Broadband

  • BT
  • Hyperoptic
  • Relish
  • Plusnet
  • Vodafone

Best Business Broadband

  • BT Business
  • Hyperoptic
  • Relish
  • Origin Broadband
  • Venus

Best Wireless

  • Luminet
  • Metronet(UK)
  • Vodafone
  • Wessex Internet

Best VoIP

  • DrayTel
  • Gradwell Communications
  • Soho66
  • Telappliant
  • Voipfone

Best Shared Hosting

  • Catalyst2
  • Exa Networks
  • Heart Internet
  • Hyve Managed Hosting
  • Nublue
  • Tech-Hosts

Best Dedicated Hosting

  • Antheus Telecom
  • Catalyst2
  • Exa Networks
  • Hyve Managed Hosting
  • Memset
  • Storm Internet

Best Cloud Product

  • Catalyst2
  • Exa Networks
  • hSo
  • Storm Internet
  • VIA

Best Marketing Campaign

  • Blabbermouth Marketing – ServiceFirst campaign
  • Bowan Arrow – Market research campaign
  • Heart Internet - Always Evolving
  • Plusnet - Broadband That Loves You Back
  • Talk Straight/Schools Broadband – Discovery
  • Vodafone – Terry the Turkey

Safety

  • Exa Networks
  • F-Secure
  • Internet Watch Foundation
  • Talk Straight / Schools Broadband
  • UK Safer Internet Centre
  • Wise Kids

Security

  • BT
  • F-Secure
  • Metronet(UK)
  • Netskope
  • Vodafone
  • Storm Internet

Best CPE Hardware

  • DrayTek Vigor2760n
  • AVM FRITZ!Box 7490
  • Icotera i6805 FTTH Gateway
  • Linksys LRT224
  • Vodafone Connect Router

Best Tech Law Firm

  • K&L Gates LLP
  • Kemp Little LLP
  • King & Wood Mallesons
  • Preiskel & Co.
  • Travers Smith LLP

Best Consumer Customer Service

  • Ask4
  • Hyperoptic
  • Vodafone
  • Wessex Internet
  • Wifinity

Best Business Customer Service

  • Catalyst2
  • Fastnet
  • RM Education
  • Storm Internet
  • Yellowbus