INCA Reveal Winners of their UK 2018 AltNet Broadband ISP Awards

The Independent Networks Co-operative Association last night unveiled the winners of their inaugural 2018 awards event (The INCAs), which aims to recognise and celebrate the best alternative broadband network providers (altnets) from across the United Kingdom. Wins were secured by Hyperoptic, KCOM and others.

The winners from each of the seven categories were selected by an independent panel of five judges (i.e. senior figures from Point Topic, Plum Consulting, the FCS, Objective Designers and Consultant Chris Pateman), but sadly no technical testing was conducted. The results were then announced last night at the INCA Awards Dinner, which was held at the Amba Hotel Marble Arch in London.

The winning ISPs and organisations broadly represent a mix of fibre optic (FTTP/H) orientated deployments or support structures and a couple of fixed wireless providers (Broadway Partners, Lothian Broadband Networks).

The 2018 INCAs – Winners List

Technical innovation – WINNER: Broadway Partners
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 – WINNER: Tameside Council
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 – WINNER: KCOM
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 – WINNER: Lothian Broadband Networks
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 – WINNER: Balquhidder Community Broadband CIC
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 – WINNER: City of London Corporation & London Law Society
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 – WINNER: Hyperoptic
An organisation or individual who has done the most to advance independent networks in the last year.

Outstanding Individual Contribution – WINNER: Simon Wade of Emtelle