The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA) will showcase the UK’s top Internet talent at the prestigious 11th Annual UK Internet Industry Awards in July 2009.

The awards are now officially open for entry at www.ispaawards.org.uk and include new categories such as Best Customer Service and Best Mobile Broadband.

The changes to the Award categories are designed to reflect technological advances over the past year and a maturing Internet market and are a response to feedback received following last year’s event.

Explaining the changes, ISPA Secretary General Nicholas Lansman said, "Customers’ demands have changed as the market for Internet services has become increasingly saturated in recent years. Although speed and cost are still important, users are putting greater emphasis than before on quality of service and the new Awards seek to recognise excellence in this area."

Entrants will undergo a rigorous testing procedure using Epitiro software. This year the software can be easily downloaded from the 2009 ISPA Awards site so that entrants can start testing straight away.

Entry to the 2009 ISPA Awards is free and open to all, including to those who are not members of ISPA.

The black tie event will be held at the London Hilton Metropole in July 2009. For more information or for sponsorship opportunities go to awards@ispa.org.uk.

ISPA 2009 Awards categories:
Best Dial-Up ISP
Best Shared Hosting ISP
Best Dedicated Hosting ISP
Best Streaming Host
Best Internet Telephony
Best Consumer Fixed Broadband ISP
Best Business Fixed Broadband ISP
Best Consumer Mobile Broadband ISP
Best Business Mobile Broadband ISP
Best Consumer Customer Service
Best Business Customer Service
Corporate Social Award
Internet Hero
Internet Villain

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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 4535).

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.