ISPA Awards

Tacitus · May 12, 2011, 08:31:59

TB have just posted the list of finalists in this year's ISPA awards. Sadly no iDNet, or surprisingly Zen.

[EDIT] Sorry, this should have been in the Broadband forum.....

Rik · May 12, 2011, 08:46:47

And now it is.

Technical Ben · May 12, 2011, 08:54:03

That's ok.
The local butchers does not get big advertising like Tescos does. The food is still better though!

Rik · May 12, 2011, 09:11:57

For once, it wasn't me.

Tacitus · May 12, 2011, 09:29:51

Quote from: Technical Ben on May 12, 2011, 08:54:03
That's ok.
The local butcher does not get big advertising like Tescos does. The food is still better though!

True enough and I didn't really expect to find iDNet amongst the finalists, but I was surprised that Zen weren't there. What is interesting is that Timico and NewNet - basically the same company - both feature in Best Business Fixed Broadband, whilst Timico feature in the Best Mobile Broadband category. Newnet also appear in the Best Dedicated Hosting Category.

Since the latter category is sponsored by NewNet this is perhaps not surprising

Rik · May 12, 2011, 09:38:02

Cynic.

Tacitus · May 12, 2011, 09:40:55

Quote from: Rik on May 12, 2011, 09:38:02
Cynic.

Absolutely

However the fact that they appear in two categories each suggest they may be a company to watch, although their emphasis is on business. Clearly they don't see any money in the consumer broadband sector. More trouble than it's worth probably.

Maybe there's a lesson there....

Rik · May 12, 2011, 09:48:54

From an operating point of view, it must be easier to concentrate on business, there's likely to be someone knowledgeable (I can dream) at the company, who will require less support.

Technical Ben · May 12, 2011, 10:15:57

What they sponsor their own awards?

Hmmm. Like those magazines given "best magazine of 2011" by the company that owns them.

Or the 3 finance mags that just so happen to give the 3 top banks the same awards each year, in rotation, so no one is left out.

Tacitus · May 12, 2011, 15:11:57

Quote from: Technical Ben on May 12, 2011, 10:15:57
What they sponsor their own awards?

No, they're just sponsoring that particular category (Best Dedicated Hosting)......

pctech · May 12, 2011, 16:23:22

I used to be a Newnet customer and they were quite good I have to say.

The problem I always had was that I went for the lowest package and had to purchase additional bandwidth, but unlike Zen if you didn't use it completely you'd lose it.

I also once had an interesting problem (just adter they were acquired) where I'd run out of bandwidth and was restricted to their internal LAN, the theory being that you could log into the customer portal and purchase some more.

However it didn't work in practice because the system tried to retrieve the Verified by Visa or Mastercard Securecode pages which of course resided outside the network, the restrictions prevented the payment system from doing this so could not complete the transaction so my connection was blocked.

Spoke to Customer Services on the Monday who denied the restrictions had prevented me from completing the transaction.

I asked them to try it themeslves on an account and they wouldn't, so got them to add 1 GB for me which I paid for over the phone, I then logged in and requested my MAC and moved to Zen.

Rik · May 12, 2011, 16:25:16

I prefer IDNet's method, Mitch. No pain.

pctech · May 12, 2011, 16:27:19

I've not yet hit the cap on Zen but I'll bet their systems and staff are a lot more helpful.

pctech · May 12, 2011, 16:32:22

Looks like Newet now focus on business customers just like Timico and I read something on TBB about them dismantling the LLU network Newnet had built.

Prob not long before everyone on Newnet is moved to the Timico network and the Newnet network is shut down.

Just hope they don't turn their sights on IDNet or Zen next.

JohnH · May 12, 2011, 16:54:36

Quote from: pctech on May 12, 2011, 16:32:22
Just hope they don't turn their sights on IDNet or Zen next.

I don't either of them would be in the market for selling.

pctech · May 12, 2011, 16:59:28

Richard Tang (MD and owner of Zen) has always said he has no intention of selling the company when interviewed, lets hope its the same with IDNet

Technical Ben · May 12, 2011, 17:17:17

Quote from: Tacitus on May 12, 2011, 15:11:57
No, they're just sponsoring that particular category (Best Dedicated Hosting)......

Oh that's fine then if it's only that particular award that they paid for.

pctech · May 12, 2011, 17:18:57

Are you suggesting that the ISPAs aren't open and above board?

Rik · May 12, 2011, 17:29:13

Confirming might be a better term.

Tacitus · May 12, 2011, 19:09:47

Quote from: Technical Ben on May 12, 2011, 17:17:17
Oh that's fine then if it's only that particular award that they paid for.

I agree - I was just pointing out they weren't sponsoring the whole show.....

Technical Ben · May 13, 2011, 16:22:43

I'll believe the awards when I see IDNet at the top.

^{(Well, I realise not everyone likes chocolate, so expecting it to get "best food of the year" awards is kind of unfair.)}

pctech · May 13, 2011, 17:06:45

Really quite surprised not to see Zen there either.

Like IDNet they make mincemeat of the competition.

Rik · May 13, 2011, 17:09:17

Niche providers don't seem to get a look in.

pctech · May 13, 2011, 17:17:51

I'd never go back to any of the biggies now, the network performance and service are just too dire.

Also am glad to be supporting two decent businesses.

Rik · May 13, 2011, 17:21:07

I agree, Mitch. Who needs awards?

sparkler · May 19, 2011, 16:16:55

The winners will be chosen by Virgin Media's panel of judges and will be announced on July 7th at the ISPA Advertisement event. Tickets are available from the ISPA Advertisement website for £199.

Rik · May 19, 2011, 16:17:45

I'll take 10.

Simon_idnet · May 19, 2011, 17:03:26

We didn't apply (I don't think that Zen or AA did either).

Rik · May 19, 2011, 17:05:41

It sounds like the kind of do I'd steer a very wide course around, Simon.

esh · May 19, 2011, 17:52:53

All the best ISPs I've been with and experienced have been the (relatively) smaller ones.

pctech · May 19, 2011, 19:01:19

I'll second that and I'd say the key thing is that Directors of these companies are technology enthusiasts first and foremost and so build networks they would want to use.

You can have a cabinet full of adverts but if the service is not there you are dead in the water.

Technical Ben · May 20, 2011, 08:55:28

Quote from: sparkler on May 19, 2011, 16:16:55
The winners will be chosen by Virgin Media's panel of judges and will be announced on July 7th at the ISPA Advertisement event. Tickets are available from the ISPA Advertisement website for £199.

Again, Virgin Media choosing the winniers?

(I think IDNetters should do our own prize!)

Rik · May 20, 2011, 10:04:17

I agree, Ben.

pctech · May 20, 2011, 10:46:38

And who is the winner going to be if they are choosing the winner, I'd put a bet on it'll be themselves.

Rik · May 20, 2011, 10:55:23

They wouldn't, would they, Mitch?

pctech · May 20, 2011, 11:06:51

Oh no, course not.

cavillas · May 20, 2011, 11:46:05

Iam going to start a new award called the Best Idnet provider. Anyone interestd.

pctech · May 20, 2011, 11:52:25

Rik · May 20, 2011, 11:57:12

The voting should be very straightforward, Alf.

pctech · May 20, 2011, 11:57:55

Vote by logging in.

Rik · May 20, 2011, 12:01:47

That was easy.

Gary · May 22, 2011, 11:00:48

We could have a poll, how 'Inactive' used to love them

Rik · May 22, 2011, 11:18:26

He did.

pctech · May 22, 2011, 18:18:39

What happened to him then as you are talking of him in the past tense?

Rik · May 22, 2011, 18:20:37

He just stopped visiting, Mitch.

pctech · May 22, 2011, 18:23:45

That's a shame

JohnH · May 22, 2011, 19:02:35

He started living up to his name

Rik · May 23, 2011, 09:28:15

Gary · May 23, 2011, 12:04:11

Maybe we should have a 'where are they now page'

I forgot who has left though

Rik · May 23, 2011, 12:28:31

Well, apart from in, there was Mad, So and Malc...

JohnH · May 23, 2011, 13:36:54

Lona's probably having lunch now

Rik · May 23, 2011, 16:02:19

Ah, cannibal is she?

pctech · May 23, 2011, 18:04:06

With a nice Chianti, th th th etc.

Rik · May 23, 2011, 18:29:24

Merlot for Lona.

pctech · May 23, 2011, 18:35:24