Consumer Awards

Best National Consumer ISP: Freeserve Best Pan-European ISP: AOL Best Virtual ISP: Powergen Best Unmetered ISP: Telewest

Information Commissioner Elizabeth France was given the award for internet hero for her agency's work in defending and nurturing the UK's net community.

Internet impact

The annual awards of the Internet Service Providers Association are given to those organisations that the British net firms deserve to be praised or, in one case, pilloried.

This year is the fourth year for the 15 awards, known as the ISPAs. The shortlist for each award is chosen by market research organisation Durlacher, and the final choice is made by a panel of judges.

Douglas Alexander, e-commerce minister, gave the opening address at the awards ceremony.

Industry Awards

Best National Business ISP - Claranet Best Pan-European Business ISP - Cable and Wireless Best Small Business ISP - Pipex Best Application Service - Telewest Best Hardware Supplier - Sun Microsystems Best Carrier - Energis Best Co-Location Provider - IX Europe Best Net Application - Inktomi

"Many of the newspapers have painted an unreasonably bleak picture of the industry over the last few months," he said.

"But we have made, and continue to make, real progress towards becoming an information society and an information economy," he said.

"But, the true impact of the internet on our society and economy has yet to be felt."

Awards are given to both consumer and industry organisations and cover such categories as Best National Consumer ISP, Best Unmetered ISP, as well more esoteric categories such as Best Application Service and Best Co-Location Provider.

Heroes and Villains

Internet Hero - Elizabeth France Internet Villain - The Home Office Internet Watch Foundation Award - BBC

No single organisation dominated the award ceremony, however Telewest did win two awards; one for Best Unmetered ISP and another for Best Application Service.

The BBC won an award from the Internet Watch Foundation for its drafting and use of guidelines to help protect children online.

The awards ceremony was held at the ISPCon net providers trade show which took place at Olympia in London from the 12-14 February.