INCA Launch UK Awards Event to Find the Best AltNet Broadband ISPs

The Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA) has today announced the launch of their inaugural awards scheme (The INCAs), which aims to recognise and celebrate the best alternative network providers (altnets) for broadband connectivity across the United Kingdom.

Today almost every other trade body or organisation seems to have their own annual awards event and so, perhaps not wanting to feel left out, INCA has decided to introduce one too. As part of that the organisation, which represents altnet ISPs, has begun their search to find the “heroes of the UK’s digital infrastructure industry.”

Applications are now open to network builders, operators and other independents working hard to improve the UK’s digital infrastructure until Friday 7th September 2018. Seven award categories have been created in order to support this including: Technical Innovation, Commercial Innovation, Urban Impact, Rural Impact, Best Community Project, Best Public Sector Impact and Outstanding Contribution.

We note that submitting an entry to the Awards programme is free until 31st August. Entries received after that date will attract a fee of £150 (ex.VAT).

Malcolm Corbett, INCA CEO, said:

“Over the past two years, the hard work of INCA members has sparked Government’s interest, placing altnets at the centre of its strategy for full fibre and 5G deployment across the UK. As such, now is the perfect time to recognise the hard work which has led to this and the cutting-edge work being undertaken to build next-generation networks capable of supporting future broadband demands.

The INCAs will be an embodiment of the finest work altnets are carrying out, celebrated on a scale that the industry hasn’t seen before and will present an exciting opportunity for altnets and independents to show off their achievements.”

The winners will then be announced on Monday 5th November 2018 at the Amba Hotel (Marble Arch, London), which will follow the dinner at INCA’s two-day Annual Conference. Further details here: https://www.inca.coop/awards .

The INCAs – Categories in Detail

Technical innovation:
A project/deployment using technical innovation to achieve objectives, for example, ability to reach hard places. Entries should show how technical ingenuity and innovation have enabled or helped a project, for example, a network deployment, to achieve or exceed commercial or other objectives.

Commercial Innovation:
A project/deployment making effective use of collaboration between three or more organisations (contractor/client is not collaboration) – for example, public service aggregation-funded build. Entries should show how collaboration between three or more organisations has enabled or helped a project, for example a network or infrastructure deployment, to achieve or exceed shared objectives beyond what would have been achieved using conventional supplier-client contracts. Examples might include collaboration between business competitors and/or independent public sector agencies.

Urban Impact:
A (mostly) urban network deployment with greatest social/economic impact. Entries should show how an infrastructure deployment in a city or major town, for example, a new network, has had a significant social or economic impact on the city or town.

Rural Impact:
A (mostly) network deployment with greatest social/economic impact. Entries should show how an infrastructure deployment in a rural area or small town, for example, a new network, has had a significant social or economic impact on the area.

Best Community Project:
A community project or organisation displaying maximum innovation/impact/collaboration/effectiveness. An entry can be a community-owned, social enterprise or other third-sector agency or a community, voluntary or third sector-led project. Entrants should show how they have achieved exceptional results or progress through efficacy, professionalism, innovation or collaboration, or a combination of these.

Best Public Sector Impact:
A public sector organisation that demonstrates an exemplary approach to supporting the deployment of new digital infrastructure (fibre and/or wireless), for example, real progress on barrier busting – street works, wayleaves etc. – or other activities, for example, voucher aggregation or innovative funding approaches.

Outstanding contribution:
An organisation or individual who has done the most to advance independent networks in the last year.