BE Broadband and Freedom4 WiFi best providers at ISPA Awards

The yearly internet industry awards run by the UK Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) has announced its winners this week following an event at the Grosvenor Marriott Hotel. The best fixed line consumer ISP award was awarded to Be Broadband who are owned by O2. Best Mobile Broadband was won again by FREEDOM4 WiFi rather than any of the major UK telecoms players like Orange and O2.

Something not quite as prestigious was the Internet Villain Award, which was this year scooped by Lord Peter Mandelson for his role in the Digital Economy Bill; a change to piracy law in the UK – amongst other things – that the industry has been near universally opposed to in its current form. Mandelson won over heavy handed copyright infringement law firm ACS Law and the UK Parliament for passing the Digital Economy bill “without proper debate”.

Meanwhile Labour MP Tom Watson won the Internet Hero award for his opposition to – yes, you guessed it – the Digital Economy Act. Watson won over both Bridget Fox and the 38 Degrees Campaign, both of whom were also in the running thanks to their vocal dislike of the Digital Economy Act.

Other winners include Namesco (Best Shared Hosting), NewNet (Best Dedicated Hosting), Gradwell (Best Internet Telephony), Clara.net (Best Business Customer Service and Best Fixed Business Broadband), PlusNet (Best Consumer Customer Service), Cybermoor (Access Innovation Award), Childnet (Internet Safety Award), Bolton Literacy Trust (Digital Inclusion Award) and Orange (CSR Award).

The ISPAs have been running since 1999, and aim to celebrate best practice and innovation in the industry every year. It runs both ISP and Special Awards, and is attended by senior decision makers, government representatives and the mainstream media.

If your ISP wasn’t on the list this year, you could always switch over if you’ve already come to the end of your fixed line contract. Moving providers and obtaining MAC codes has never been easier, and it may well save you money, too.

Recent Broadband Stories