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Winners of The 2005 ISPAs–
The 7th Annual UK Internet Industry Awards
The winners of The 2005 ISPAs - The 7th Annual UK Internet Industry Awards in association with Purple Sun and Webuser Magazine - were announced at a gala dinner in London on 24th February 2005.
ISPA is grateful to all the sponsors, the attendees, Iain Lee the compere for the evening and John Fisher, CEO of Citizen’s Online, the keynote speaker at the event.
Congratulations to all the finalists, the winners and the companies that received Commendations for Innovation.
SUPPLIERS DIVISION
Best Search sponsored by One.tel
The finalists were as follows:
- Ask Jeeves
- Espotting
- Google
- Mirago
- Yahoo UK & Ireland
Winner: Google
An ISPA spokesperson said, "The judges considered that Google's consistent record of leadership and innovation over the past year should be rewarded. The judges commended the Google toolbar, the new downloadable desktop search, and the new academic search facility. Google has earned its position as the primary gateway to the Internet for many users.”
Best Hardware sponsored by Wanadoo
The finalists were as follows:
- Barracuda Networks
- Cisco Systems
- Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Limited
- Sandvine
- ZyXEL Communications
Winner: Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Limited
An ISPA spokesperson said, "The judges considered the Fujitsu portfolio to be very impressive. Fujitsu were said to offer an excellent range of products which deliver high-quality and high-capacity Internet services. Commercially aware account handling teams offer a high quality of installation and support. The judges praised Fujitsu's service-focused approach, saying ‘Fujitsu know they must be a service business as well as a product business.'”
Best Data Centre sponsored by Webhost Automation
The finalists were as follows:
- Energis
- Global Switch
- Internet Facilitators
- IXEurope
- TELECITY
Winner: Global Switch
An ISPA spokesperson said, "The judges believe that Global Switch offers clients ‘a damn good service.' Global Switch was felt to have excellent knowledge, skill and experience at delivering first-class data centre storage in the UK. The judges identified Global Switch's additional capacity, diligence in site security and resilience of critical services as being of particular acclaim.”
Best Application sponsored by blueyonder from Telewest Broadband
The finalists were as follows:
- Axiom Systems Ltd
- Iomart
- Mirapoint
- Motive
- Zeus Technology Ltd
Winner: Axiom Systems
An ISPA spokesperson said, "The judges felt Axiom Systems was a company with excellent business experience, and with a strong commitment to investment and innovation. Axiom Systems' Axios product speeds up the service delivery process for Service Providers; namely the order management, inventory management and service activation processes."
Best Carrier sponsored by Utransit
The finalists were as follows:
- AboveNet Communications UK Ltd
- Cable & Wireless
- Exponential-e
- Fibernet Group plc
- Kingston Communications
Winner: Kingston Communications
An ISPA spokesperson said, "The judges considered Kingston Communications to be a hard working, high quality and responsive carrier which “moves heaven and earth” to offer clients the very best service. Kingston addresses the needs of ISPs whether big or small in a fast, flexible and cost effective manner. Kingston Communications' high quality service and customer care is delivering a ‘wake up call to carriers' in the industry.”
ISP DIVISION
Best Metered ISP sponsored by Voice Stream Networks
The finalists were as follows:
- Datanet
- Exa Networks
- Net Services
- UK Online
- Wanadoo
Winner: UK Online
An ISPA spokesperson said, “The judges believed that UK Online gave consumers the best price and collection of value added services for metered connectivity. The installation and level of support are effectively geared to a family or first-time Internet user. UK Online is an innovative company whose metered service is hard to beat at an entry level.”
Best Unmetered Dial-up sponsored by Axiom Systems
The finalists were as follows:
- Datanet
- Tesco Anytime
- UK Online
- Virgin.net
- Wanadoo
Winner: Tesco Anytime
An ISPA spokesperson said, “The judges felt that Tesco offers users an ‘idiot proof' way to get online at a competitive price. The judges were particularly impressed that Tesco offered favourable contract terms and offered free technical support for the first month to cover the sometimes difficult set-up period. A Tesco unmetered account is an accessible and attractive option for an entry-level user.”
Best Sumo Business Broadband sponsored by Total Network Solutions
The finalists were as follows:
- Datanet
- Demon
- Kingston Communications
- Lumison
- NetServices
Winner: Kingston Communications
An ISPA spokesperson said, “The judges were impressed by the flexible single-month contract of Kingston's 2MB product, and the quality of service given to users. Every business customer is assigned a dedicated account manager delivering a uniquely personalised service. Kingston provides customised solutions, tailored to the changing requirements of business customers.”
An ISPA spokesperson continued, "The judges deemed that Lumison should be awarded a Commendation for Innovation for developing an innovative 1:1 contention product and providing an alternative to leased lines. The judges said, ‘Lumison will change the structure of the high-end market. For e-business purposes, it's great.'”
Best Sumo Consumer Broadband sponsored by Demon
The finalists were as follows:
- BISCIT
- blueyonder from Telewest Broadband
- Bulldog
- Firefly Internet
- HomeChoice from Video Networks
Winner: blueyonder from Telewest Broadband
An ISPA spokesperson said, “Blueyonder's commitment to offering large bandwidths to end users was evident when the ISP boosted user bandwidth for free in late 2004. Blueyonder's services are up-and-running fast, delivering high quality broadband services at 3 and 4 MB. The judges felt that blueyonder's fat-pipe service was a ‘superior service - for the more discerning consumer broadband user.'”
An ISPA spokesperson continued, "The judges deemed that HomeChoice from Video Networks should receive a Commendation for Innovation for its unique broadband service. Video Networks' bundled digital TV offering put the ISP ‘ahead of the game.'”
“The judges also awarded Firefly Internet a Commendation for Innovation for offering a service with strong delivery and reliability. Firefly performed very well in the independent monitoring and testing, and offers a service which competes with the largest players in the industry.”
Best Heavy Business Broadband sponsored by ZyXEL Communications
The finalists were as follows:
- Datanet
- Eclipse
- FastNet
- Kingston Broadband
- twang.net
Winner: Eclipse
An ISPA spokesperson said, “Eclipse's 1MB service performed well in Purple Sun's independent tests. Eclipse offers business broadband with a one-month contract, giving SMEs essential flexibility without the need to commit to a long-term contract. The judges applauded Eclipse's unique speed-boosting feature, which allows users to temporarily boost their connection speed at a moment's notice.”
Best Heavy Consumer Broadband sponsored by F-Secure
The finalists were as follows:
- blueyonder from Telewest Broadband
- BT Yahoo
- Karoo Broadband
- PIPEX
- Wanadoo
Winner: Wanadoo
An ISPA spokesperson said, “The judges were impressed with Wanadoo's variety of 1 MB services. Wanadoo are offering a variety of speeds to meet the demands of different consumers . Wanadoo was also praised for its contribution to the broadband market. The company has played a key role in converting Internet users to broadband.”
Best Light Business Broadband sponsored by IX Europe
The finalists were as follows:
- Datanet
- Eclipse
- FastNet
- Netservices
- Zen Internet
Winner: Zen Internet
An ISPA spokesperson said, “Zen's half-meg service m eets the requirements of a SOHO business. The minimum contract period of only one month with no penalty for cancellation gives customers flexibility in an often-turbulent business world. The judges felt that the range of features and Zen's customer service and support meant that Zen ‘stood out above the others.'”
Best Light Consumer Broadband sponsored by NTL Wholesale
The finalists were as follows:
- Eclipse
- Madasafish
- NewNet
- PIPEX
- UK Online
Winner: NewNet
An ISPA spokesperson said, “At an entry level, the judges recognised that the price of broadband is often an important concern for users. The judges felt that NewNet's half megabyte service offered consumers exceptional value for money. NewNet provides a robust service with solid support.”
Best Hosting Provider sponsored by Zeus Technology
The finalists were as follows:
- freenetname
- Mistral
- NDO
- Tiscali
- UKFast.net
Winner: UKFast.net
An ISPA spokesperson said, “The judges were impressed with UKFast.net 's commitment to deliver value, performance and quality support for its customers. UKFast.net 's impressive submission was confirmed by its performance in the three months of independent monitoring and testing. It is a well secured hosting service with a 99.99 per cent service level guarantee.”
Best Portal sponsored by Community Internet
The finalists were as follows:
- blueyonder from Telewest Broadband
- MSN
- Tiscali
- Wanadoo
- Yahoo UK & Ireland
Winner: Wanadoo
An ISPA spokesperson said, “The judges were impressed with the d esign, accessibility and navigation of the Wanadoo portal. The portal houses a great deal of UK specific content for a diverse range of Internet users . Wanadoo have incorporated notable services to help to protect children online, creating a family-friendly portal.”
Best National Business ISP sponsored by Telefonica
The finalists were as follows:
- Datanet
- Mistral
- NDO
- PIPEX
- PlusNet
Winner: Datanet
An ISPA spokesperson said, “The judges considered Datanet to offer an enviable breadth of products, packages and services - including SDSL and co-location - to business customers nationally. Datanet are able to serve a diversity of businesses through an extensive range of products, and are able to provide solutions appropriate to individual company needs. The judges commented that ‘there was nothing they don't do,' and all at a competitive price. Datanet's submission also demonstrated a commitment to corporate social responsibility.”
Best National Consumer ISP sponsored by MasterCard
The finalists were as follows:
- freenetname
- PIPEX
- UK Online
- Virgin.net
- Wanadoo
Winner: Wanadoo
An ISPA spokesperson said, “The judges felt that Wanadoo offered a good choice of Internet packages which helped consumers to receive the most appropriate service for their needs. Key to getting people online was Wanadoo's price offerings, and strong innovation in terms of speed and value added services.”
An ISPA spokesperson continued, "The judges deemed that UK Online should be awarded a Commendation for Innovation for its commitment to Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) which has delivered fast and reliable Internet access to the UK across the board, and for impressive innovations in speed.”
SPECIAL DIVISION
The Internet Watch Foundation Award for Developments in Online Safety sponsored by Juniper Networks
The finalists were as follows:
- Barnardo's
- BT
- Children's Charities Coalition for Internet Safety (CHIS)
- Mobile Operators – specifically Orange, O2, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Vodafone and 3
- Vodafone
Winner: BT
An ISPA spokesperson said, “BT received this award for its URL blocking initiative Cleanfeed which was designed and implemented to block access to websites confirmed to contain images of child abuse.”
The Internet Villain Award sponsored by Claranet
The finalists were as follows:
- BT
- Carol Vorderman
- International Federation of the Phonographic Industry
- Lycos
- The European Union
Winner: The European Union
An ISPA spokesperson said, “The ISPA Council awarded the Internet Villain title to the European Union for threatening the ‘Country of Origin' principle, which has encouraged e-commerce across the EU, and for the Draft Framework Decision on Data Retention.”
The Internet Hero award sponsored by Beachcroft Wansbroughs
The finalists were as follows:
- David Blunkett
- Réseaux IP Européens (RIPE) NCC
- Stephen Timms MP
- The Office of Communications (Ofcom)
- The Officers of the All Party Internet Group
Winner: Stephen Timms MP
An ISPA spokesperson said, “The ISPA Council awarded the Internet Hero title to Stephen Timms for his effective work as E-commerce Minister, which will be missed by the Internet industry.”
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Notes to Editors
The views expressed in this release are those of the Internet Services Providers' Association (ISPA UK) and do not necessarily reflect the corporate policies of the individual companies that are members of the Association.
For further information, please contact the ISPA Press Office. Tel: 020 7233 7239 Email: pressoffice@ispa.org.uk .
The Categories and Sponsors at The 2005 ISPAs – The 7th Annual UK Internet Industry Awards are:
About ISPA:
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: http://www.ispa.org.uk
About Purple Sun:
Purple Sun offer a range of services to Internet service providers to monitor the performance of customer experiences across dial up, cable, VPN, ISDN, ADSL and Wireless connections. Purple Sun's ISP-I ("eyespy") system compares ISP performance from a variety of sites across the UK, external to the provider's network. ISP-I constantly monitors performance by continually connecting to each ISP, every 15-30 minutes, and capturing performance metrics such as time to connect, connection speed, upload, download speed, ping time, DNS look-up time and e-mail. Purple Sun is headquartered in Cardiff. Further information is available at http://www.purple-sun.com.
About Web User:
Web User is the UK's favourite internet magazine. On sale every fortnight it keeps you up-to-date with all the latest news, views and developments on the Web. Being Britain's best-selling internet read, Web User is, quite simply, for most people, the only internet magazine they'll ever need. http://www.webuser.co.uk
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