2013 Digital Challenge Awards Name the Best Urban and Rural Networks

The NextGen Conference in London has today announced the winners of its annual 2013 Digital Challenge Awards, which are designed to recognise UK projects that deliver the “best in next generation digital access infrastructure innovation“.

Last year saw broadband ISPs and network developers like CityFibre, Hyperoptic, B4RN, Cambium Networks and AllPay Broadband all picking-up awards for various achievements (here). By contrast this year saw some less familiar names.

The Urban Network Award went to Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Councils for the North East of Scotland Digital Strategy (Accelerate Aberdeen). Meanwhile Village Networks picked up the gong for the Rural Networks Award with their hybrid fibre optic and wireless solutions.

Graham Walker, CEO of Go ON UK, said:

“We welcome the inclusion this year of an awards category for Digital Skills. In the UK there are one in five adults without basic online skills, and it’s crucially important we work together to change this. The Finalists for this year’s award highlight the need to drive the digital skills agenda, and to work towards making the UK the most digitally skilled nation in the world.”

NextGen Digital Challenge Awards 2013 – WINNERS

Open Data Award

Winner – eeGeo Ltd for 3D Mapping Service

Runner Up – HPC Wales for High Performance Computing

Go ON UK Digital Skills Award

Winner – Tinder Foundation for The Digital Housing Hub

Runner Up – Enfield Libraries for the Intergenerational Project

ICT KTN Digital Innovation Award

Winner – Seetok Limited for Video Communications

Runner Up – Keypoint Technologies Ltd for Adaptxt text input solution

Urban Network Award

Winner – Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Councils for North East of Scotland Digital Strategy ‘Accelerate Aberdeen’.

Runner Up – MS3 Ltd for Business Fibre Networking in Hull

Rural Network Award

Winner – Village Networks Ltd for Hybrid Wireless/Fibre Networks

Runner Up – Emtelle for Blown Fibre Support for Rural Communities

Mobile Development Award

Winner – Open Signal for Crowd-sourced Mobile Performance Data

Runner Up – Calnex Solutions for 4G Deployment Testing