ISPA awards finalists

Noreen · Jan 22, 2008, 11:06:54

Is it good or bad that IDNet isn't mentioned? http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/3374-2008-ispa-awards-finalists-announced.html

Rik · Jan 22, 2008, 11:17:19

Personally, I think it's good. IDNet know they are appreciated by their customers, and an award might produce an influx of the wrong type of customers. IAC, I think awards ceremonies are an utter was of space - self-congratulation has no merit.

Nigel · Jan 22, 2008, 13:37:43

Yes, I too was surprised to see we were not mentioned. Perhaps they base their figures on size rather than quality. ID Net is so clearly out in front on thinkbroadband (the site where comment from Internet-users really matters) that I'm not in the least bit concerned that we don't feature

Noreen · Jan 22, 2008, 14:03:51

Quote from: Rik on Jan 22, 2008, 11:17:19
Personally, I think it's good. IDNet know they are appreciated by their customers, and an award might produce an influx of the wrong type of customers.

I agree with you, Rik.

Noreen · Jan 23, 2008, 12:34:40

It'll be interesting to see who wins the Best Consumer ISP from those listed as I've just come across the criteria.
http://www.ispaawards.org.uk/categories/BestConsumer.htm

Rik · Jan 23, 2008, 12:45:31

They are joking, aren't they? I wouldn't have thought any of them could win against those criteria.

Noreen · Jan 23, 2008, 14:03:56

Yes it's laughable isn't it, especially when you look at those listed. Unfortunately whoever "wins" will no doubt use the fact in it's advertising and entice more people into the fold.

Rik · Jan 23, 2008, 14:53:32

Limiting the award to those with more then 250,000 customers, when the big ISPs have the bulk of the market already, seems to make the awards even more of a farce.

I think we should stage our own awards evening for IDNet. Categories could include:

The best ISP
The best customer service
The nicest staff
The most responsive ISP

Any more suggestions?

MoHux · Jan 23, 2008, 15:40:51

Quote from: Noreen on Jan 23, 2008, 14:03:56
Yes it's laughable isn't it, especially when you look at those listed. Unfortunately whoever "wins" will no doubt use the fact in it's advertising and entice more people into the fold.

I wonder if it comes under the 'misleading advertising' heading??

Rik · Jan 23, 2008, 15:57:06

Misleading - yes, dishonest - no, it has an award to prove it Mo.

Noreen · Jan 23, 2008, 17:09:42

Leaving aside the spelling

I don't understand this, how do they know how many people use the connection?

"Entrants must have over 250,000 users* of their Internet services.

* ISPA defines a "user" as any person using an Internet connection. It does not refer to a "subscribtion" or a "customer" - as one Internet subscribtion will often serve a number of users."

Rik · Jan 23, 2008, 17:15:03

That should be very interesting to prove, Noreen. Lots of little black boxes going into over-drive...

Dont mention Talk Talk !! · Jan 30, 2008, 20:34:10

you know the form...............

" and the award for best customer services goes to Talk Talk "

" and the award for best broadband speed goes to Virgin ADSL "

" and the award for overall satisfaction goes to Tiscali "

as usual, award ceremonies , I file under the hogwash category. If they attract the 24/7 heavy user skinflints whingeing over a £9.99 monthly internet bill.............then good luck to them and I hope thats where they go !!

James

Malc · Jan 30, 2008, 21:08:39

Quote from: Rik on Jan 23, 2008, 14:53:32
Limiting the award to those with more then 250,000 customers, when the big ISPs have the bulk of the market already, seems to make the awards even more of a farce.

I think we should stage our own awards evening for IDNet. Categories could include:

The best ISP
The best customer service
The nicest staff
The most responsive ISP

Any more suggestions?

Best ISP forum
Least port blocking
Most pipex refugees

and

most Simon's

Si · Jan 30, 2008, 21:19:32

Would the stage be big enough for all of us to go up and collect that last award?!

Simon · Jan 30, 2008, 21:19:43

Lance · Jan 30, 2008, 22:49:04

Quote from: Noreen on Jan 23, 2008, 17:09:42
Leaving aside the spelling I don't understand this, how do they know how many people use the connection?

"Entrants must have over 250,000 users* of their Internet services.

* ISPA defines a "user" as any person using an Internet connection. It does not refer to a "subscribtion" or a "customer" - as one Internet subscribtion will often serve a number of users."

I have 249,000 users through my connection, does that help?

Rik · Jan 30, 2008, 23:56:32

Wow, Lance, you even beat me - I thought I was doing OK selling airspace at £1pm to 245,000 people.

Lance · Jan 31, 2008, 07:36:48

Only £1 Rik! I charge £1.50!!!

Rik · Jan 31, 2008, 09:10:28

It's a competitive market in MK.

Inactive · Feb 04, 2008, 10:42:24

I ignore all " Awards " as they are clearly biased and selective by their very nature, and that applies across the board, not just ISP's.

In fact if a company/individual has received a so called " Award " it usually has the opposite effect on me, and I steer well clear.

Broadback · Feb 04, 2008, 11:38:29

seems to be a fact that people chosen as business person of the year go tilt within12 months. Now I know why! It's Inactive withdrawing his support!

Inactive · Feb 04, 2008, 11:42:45

Quote from: Broadback on Feb 04, 2008, 11:38:29
. Now I know why! It's Inactive withdrawing his support!

madasahatter · Feb 04, 2008, 13:58:30

Quote from: Inactive on Feb 04, 2008, 10:42:24
In fact if a company/individual has received a so called " Award " it usually has the opposite effect on me, and I steer well clear.

I wouldn't go as far as that, but I do think that most awards are mere window dressing so to speak, and don't really mean that much. Nothing like good old fashioned research into a company to find out whether they deserve your brass or not eh?

Ann · Feb 04, 2008, 23:17:44

I certainly avoid books that have won awards.. it usually means that they are pretentious and unreadable

madasahatter · Feb 04, 2008, 23:40:36

With you there Ann - been caught like that far too many times.......

Broadback · Feb 05, 2008, 08:51:21

Puts me off as well. Also if it is described as a "Classic" it falls into the same category. I maintain that a classic book cannot be written, it arrives into that category over time of its own accord. Think about Dickens, his stories were written for cheap magazines of the day, pap for the peasants!