The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA UK) is delighted to unveil the remarkable winners of the 25th Anniversary ISPA Awards, which unfolded in a grand celebration last night at the OWO Raffles Hotel, London.
The big winners on the night were Community Fibre, having won in both the Best Business ISP and Best Consumer ISP between 50k-250k customers categories. Their continued commitment to excellent customer service and business support makes them a clear winner across both categories. Brsk was another standout, taking home the awards for Best Customer Experience and Best Infrastructure under 250k premises.
Once again, digital inclusion took centre stage, with the Internet Hero Award being presented to DWP Digital for delivering the broadband social tariff API, working in partnership with the ISP community to make a real difference to those that need it most. This year's event also marked the 25th anniversary of the ISPA Awards, and a special recognition was given to Dana Tobak, Hyperoptic CEO, for her outstanding contributions over the past quarter-century.
Steve Leighton, Chair of ISPA, commented: “As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ISPA Awards, we are proud to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations in the ISP industry. This year's event highlights the continued importance of digital inclusion and showcases the incredible contributions made by all the award winners. We congratulate them and are excited about the future of the broadband industry."
The ISPA Awards acknowledge the best and brightest in the industry, and the winners represent the pinnacle of innovation and excellence in the ISP industry.
The awards this year featured a wide range of categories that celebrated excellence across the ISP industry. The winners and highly commended achievements are listed below:
- Best Business ISP
Community Fibre
The judges felt that their serious focus on business support and account management, competitive pricing and a 5G back up service meant that they were deserved winners.
Highly Commended - Cerberus
- Best Channel Support
Full Fibre
Full Fibre was chosen as the winner for their impressive growth stats, low cost per acquisition numbers and their fibre heroes campaign that promotes fibre for the benefit of the industry.
- Best Consumer ISP over 250K customers
Hyperoptic
In a closely run category, Hyperoptic’s pioneering roll out of gigabit broadband, social tariffs and support for vulnerable customers made them worthy winners.
- Best Consumer ISP between 50k-250k customers
Community Fibre
The judges feel that Community Fibre’s generous social tariff, good range of packages and low churn meant they are clearly doing something right.
- Best Consumer ISP under 50K customers
Lightning Fibre
In a highly competitive category, Lightning Fibre took the prize for their customer focus and charter, with a strong community focus and transparency.
- Best Customer Experience
Brsk
The judges felt that strong staff testimonials from customers, investment in digital tools, in-house same day installation, along with a 1.5 hour repair function, made Brsk deserved winners.
- Best Hosted Service
Krystal Hosting
This is the second time Krystal won this award. They keep impressing our judges with their UK-based support and engineering teams, as well as affordable services and flexible options.
- Best Infrastructure more than 250k premises passed
CityFibre
For continuing its nationwide rollout, adding significantly more homes to its 2.5m Ready For Service in the past year, and moving into connecting hard to reach areas through Project Gigabit, the judges felt CityFibre were worthy winners.
- Best Infrastructure under 250k premises passed
Brsk
Winning for the second year, Brsk’s rapid build year-on-year growth, targeting of underserved areas and strong take up gave them the edge.
- Best Customer Protection
TalkStraight
Talk Straight’s overall services use of AI and advanced analytics, engagement with NCSC, regulatory compliance and customer training gave them the edge.
Highly Commended - WebMate
- Best Rural ISP
Wessex Internet
Wessex Internet were crowned winners for their high take up rates in underserved areas, and community focus that is transforming local communities.
Highly Commended - County Broadband
- Best VoIP
Voipfone
In a world moving to digital voice, Voipfone was once again crowned as winners for learning lessons from past incidents, offering free services to charities, and proactive comms on PSTN switch off.
- Digital Inclusion
Spark Somerset
Spark Somerset demonstrated a wide range of holistic support, partnership working, broad reach and strong impact in their Spark IT project.
- Best Integrated Campaign
KCOM
In a field full of high quality entries, Kcom’s campaign to get the message out on the impact of the PSTN switch off through impressive earned media, delivering on tough targets and great results pipped the competition.
Highly Commended - Hey!Broadband
- Internet Hero
DWP Digital
ISPA Council decided to award the coveted hero award to the DWP Digital team for delivering the broadband social tariff API, working in partnership with the ISP community to make a real difference to those that need it most.
- 25th Anniversary Award
Dana Tobak
Since the mid 2000s, Dana Tobak has been a driving force in disrupting and accelerating the UK broadband market. From pioneering use of LLU at Be Broadband to its sale and integration as O2 broadband to launching and leading one of the first altnets, Hyperoptic, in 2011, Dana has set new standards, pushed the competition and improved the UK’s broadband for more than two decades.
Thank you to all ISPA Awards 2023 sponsors - headline sponsor Strategic Imperatives Limited; and Adtran, Altnets, Calix, CityFibre, Clarity, DrayTek UK & Ireland, eero, EPS Global, FullFibre Limited, Linksys, LSBUD (Linesearch BeforeUdig), Magrathea Telecommunications Ltd, Netgem, PelicanCorp, SoftServe Business Systems, TP-Link UK Limited and VIAVI Solutions