Those wishing to enter have until 30th April 2024 to submit their initial entry form using the form on this page.
Best Channel Support
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
From the initial onboarding process right the way through to the day-to-day support they provide for the ISPs, this category is for network providers who provide impactful channel support to the ISPs using their FTTP infrastructure.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Best Communications Campaign
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
Education and awareness around FTTP or equivalent new connectivity technologies have become increasingly important to justify the extraordinary deployment and market changes we have seen throughout industry. This award will be given to the most innovative, engaged and successful campaign to publicly promote an organisation’s these new technologies. Measurement of the campaign will consider innovation in terms of the co-development of the campaign if it was created in partnership, in the methods used to communicate and engage with the target audience(s).
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Best Rural ISP
Testing registration deadline: Tuesday 30th April 2024
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
Entrants must be an ISP that is providing broadband to rural / hard to reach areas. The category is technology neutral. While speeds are an important part of the testing, it also takes account of overall service levels, packages, availability, performance, customer service, community engagement and more. Thinkbroadband testing data will be used to determine the shortlist for the category. The data will also inform the judging which will also take account of publicly available data from other sources such as Ofcom and trustpilot where possible.
Please ensure that you register your entry so testing can begin by Tuesday 30th April 2024. Thinkbroadband testing data will be used to determine the shortlist for the category. The data will also inform the judging which will also take account of publicly available data from other sources such as Ofcom and trustpilot where possible.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Best Voice Provider
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
This year ISPA is looking to find the best voice provider solution providing solutions and services to customers and UK business. With the PSTN switch off on the horizon and a market that has completely transformed in recent years, our judges will be evaluating the organisation on how they have adapted to these market changes and ensured their customers have retained high quality service and support where needed.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Best Urban Infrastructure
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
This category is for organisations deploying improved broadband infrastructure in urban areas, in a part or the whole of the UK. Urban areas, for the purposes of this category are defined as larger, more densely populated areas with populations greater than 10,000 people and would be generally regarded as a town or city.
If your organisation deploys improved broadband provisions for both urban and rural areas, please tailor your answer to be specific around your urban deployment.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Best Rural Infrastructure
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
This category is for organisations deploying improved broadband infrastructure in rural areas, in a part or the whole of the UK. Rural areas, for the purposes of this category are defined as small, less densely populated areas with populations fewer than 10,000 people and would be generally regarded as villages, hamlets or isolated dwellings.
If your organisation deploys improved broadband provisions for both urban and rural areas, please tailor your answer to be specific around your rural deployment.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Best Consumer ISP (under 100k customers)
Testing registration deadline: Tuesday 30th April 2024
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
For providers offering broadband services of 100Mbps or above with fewer than 100,000 customers. The category is aimed at services and providers available in distinct areas or acting as challenger brands offering gigabit capable fibre services. However, while speeds are an important part of the category, it also takes account of overall service levels, packages, performance, differentiation and more.
Thinkbroadband testing data will be used to determine the shortlist for the category. The data will also inform the judging which will also take account of publicly available data from other sources such as Ofcom and trustpilot where possible.
Entrants in this category must undergo technical testing from 1st May 2024 to 20th July 2024. The technical testing (facilitated by thinkbroadband) involves entrants’ customers performing a number of tests using the thinkbroadband testing tool (accessible on any browser and many devices). The testing will be used to determine qualification for the category and derive the shortlist of entrants for the judging panel to consider.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Best Consumer ISP (over 100k customers)
Testing registration deadline: Tuesday 30th April 2024
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
For providers offering residential superfast broadband services (30Mbps or above) with more than 100,000 customers. The category is aimed at services and providers broadly available, with consumer entry level pricing. While speeds are an important part of the category, it also takes account of overall service levels, packages, performance and more.
Thinkbroadband testing data will be used to determine the shortlist for the category. The data will also inform the judging which will also take account of publicly available data from other sources such as Ofcom and trustpilot where possible.
Entrants in this category must undergo technical testing from 1st May 2024 to 20th July 2024. The technical testing (facilitated by thinkbroadband) involves entrants’ customers performing a number of tests using the thinkbroadband testing tool (accessible on any browser and many devices). The testing will be used to determine qualification for the category and derive the shortlist of entrants for the judging panel to consider.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Best Enterprise ISP
Testing registration deadline: Tuesday 30th April 2024
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
This category is for Internet Services Providers offering broadband to enterprise-sized businesses. Entrants must be an ISP that provides business-grade connectivity. While speeds are an important part of the category, it also takes account of overall service levels, packages, performance and more.
Thinkbroadband testing data will be used to determine the shortlist for the category. The data will also inform the judging which will also take account of publicly available data from other sources such as Ofcom and trustpilot where possible.
Entrants in this category must undergo technical testing from 1st May 2024 to 20th July 2024. The technical testing (facilitated by thinkbroadband) involves entrants’ customers performing a number of tests using the details of how to do this are thinkbroadband testing tool (accessible on any browser and many devices). The testing will be used to determine qualification for the category and derive the shortlist of entrants for the judging panel to consider.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Best SME ISP
Testing registration deadline: Tuesday 30th April 2024
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
This category is for Internet Services Providers offering broadband to UK SMEs. Entrants must be an ISP that provides business-grade connectivity. While speeds are an important part of the category, it also takes account of overall service levels, packages, performance and more.
For the purposes of this entry, an SME, is a small or medium sized organisation that operates with either under 250 employees or less than £50 million revenues across one or a limited number of sites throughout the UK.
If your organisation provides services to both SMEs and enterprise organisations then please tailor your answer to specifically reference how your organisation delivers services to SME customers only.
Thinkbroadband testing data will be used to determine the shortlist for the category. The data will also inform the judging which will also take account of publicly available data from other sources such as Ofcom and trustpilot where possible.
Entrants in this category must undergo technical testing from 1st May 2024 to 20th July 2024. The technical testing (facilitated by thinkbroadband) involves entrants’ customers performing a number of tests using the details of how to do this are thinkbroadband testing tool (accessible on any browser and many devices). The testing will be used to determine qualification for the category and derive the shortlist of entrants for the judging panel to consider.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Best Sustainability
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
Like all responsible markets, the ISP sector is committed to lowering its impact on the planet. While its green credentials are not necessarily well known as some other industries, there is a lot to shout about: fibre uses less energy than copper, reliable and fast broadband reduces the need to travel and the current nationwide upgrade to FTTP will be in place for decades to come.
This award celebrates organisations that have gone above and beyond to ensure sustainable business practices, carbon neutral objectives and environmental commitments.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Best Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
Working towards a more inclusive world is one shared by the ISP sector and those that fund the organisation. Over recent years, many across industry have implemented schemes and initiatives designed to promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in their organisations and the society they serve.
The DEI award celebrates the organisation who are doing most to ensure people from all walks of life are able to forge a career and achieve success in our sector.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Best Community Engagement
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
This category showcases organisations working in partnership with local communities to deliver fast and reliable infrastructure and services. The category is looking for UK organisations that have worked collaboratively to ensure the positive benefits of connectivity are realised.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Best Customer, Data and Network Security
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
This category is for the ISP who stand out in how they protect their customers, network and data, whether through cyber security initiatives, customer education, online safety initiatives or similar work. Supporting data, testimonials and specific examples are encouraged.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Best Customer Experience
Written Entry deadline: Monday 1st July 2024
This category is for ISPs who look to enhance their broadband with improved customer experience. The category will be evaluated on the use of support, technology, data and management systems that improve the overall experience for a customer using your network.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Internet Hero
Entry deadline: Friday 25th October 2024
This Award is for an organisation or individual who has had a significant impact on the improvement of UK broadband. Whether through advocacy, deployment, advancement or digital transformation, this award is for anyone who has been a key contributor to the great work of the sector during their career/ existence.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
Digital Inclusion
Entry deadline: Monday 2nd September 2024
Access to reliable good quality technology, and being equipped with the skills to be able to make the most of our digitally connected world, are no longer luxuries - they are essential for all of us. At the same time, the cost of living crisis has created an increased demand for initiatives that contribute towards digital connectivity and supply of technology for all.
We want to showcase the good work being done to bridge the digital divide and help those in need stay or become connected. Whether you’re an individual, organisation or community group, we want to hear about the impact and change you have made. It could be improving digital literacy, helping people get connected or simply using digital to change lives for the better.
For more information and the full written form visit the main ISPA Awards page for this category.
About the AwardsThe awards and categories explained.
The ISPAs
The ISPAs - the UK Internet industry awards - are the longest established and most respected awards in the internet industry. Since 1999, the ISPAs have been rewarding and celebrating the best in the UK internet sector. The ISPAs are run by the Internet Services Providers' Association (ISPA UK) to herald the best of the Internet industry and to celebrate innovation and best practice. In 2002 the awards were dubbed The ISPAs.
Sponsors
You can sponsor the ISPA Awards contact ISPA for a sponsorship pack.
Timeline
The 2024 Awards launched in February 2024, with registration opening followed by technical testing of various categories running during May, June and July 2024. Full written entries for each category are expected by end of 1st July 2024 with the shortlists announced later in 2024. The winners find out at the awards ceremony on 21st November 2024.
About Technical TestingRegistration is the first step.
Technical Testing
Not every category is technically tested to create the short list for the judges to consider, the tested categories are the broadband and hosting categories. VoIP was previously tested by the differences have been so marginal for a few years that testing was becoming irrelevant due to the reliability of the services. For the non-tested categories shortlisting is carried out by a number of the judges ensuring that entrants are addressing the various key criteria for the award they are entering.
thinkbroadband has been a long term technical testing partner for the ISPA Awards and helps to ensure that services are judged on not just their ability to write a good entry but also whether the service delivers to a level worthy of consideration for an award.
Testing of Broadband Categories
Providers will be expected to ensure that thinkbroadband is able to identify their customers, e.g. provide details of IPv4 and IPv6 blocks that customers use and when a provider claims to have IPv6 support we do expect to see customers connecting via IPv6.
The tester used is embedded on this page (standalone URL is https://st.thinkbroadband.com/ispa and we will email details when responding to registrations on how you can embed a copy on your own website to increase the test volume, for smaller entrants this is particularly important.
Results are also included from the full range of testers that thinkbroadband supplies to third parties too.
Testing of Hosting Categories
The hosting testing will be using the same system as previous years, with hosting entries required to host some files on the appropriate hosting platform. Details can be supplied when you register in the form at the top of the page.
How to embed speed tester on your own website
Embedding the speed test is accomplished by wrapping it up in an iFrame, some code and a copy of the tester embedded using this code is shown below:
If the dark styling is too contrasting to the rest of your webpage, you can change the iFrame link to be //st.thinkbroadband.com/ispa/?site=omegajdsfjieDFD3 which uses a transparent background.