Rural Broadband project wins ISP Association's Internet Hero prize

The B4RN (Broadband for the Rural North) project has won the Internet Service Providers' Association's (ISPA) annual Internet Hero award.

The successful community project, which has recently been praised by European Commissioner Neelie Kroes, won for setting an example to others when it comes to bringing high-speed broadband to rural areas.

Other award winners in the annual competition included internet service provider (ISP) Plusnet, which was judged best provider of fixed broadband services and Talk Talk for its parental control software. Kingston Communications was also highly commended for its security for consumers.

There was also a new name among the bigger players, showing that innovative ways of installing fibre to homes and businesses is hot news at the moment. ISP Hypertonic was deemed best newcomer for its personalised service in bringing fibre to the building and with it a difference in attitude to service provision.

The Internet Villain award went to UN agency the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). ISPA said this agency was a "worthy winner for its internet governance land-grab, which could lead to a less open and free internet, controlled by governments in a top-down manner."

Nicholas Lansman, ISPA secretary general said: "ISPA would like to congratulate all the winners and thank all the attendees and sponsors for making the evening possible.

"It's been another important and fast-moving 12 months for the internet industry and the Awards are a good measure of achievement and innovation in the past year".