ISPA unveils web's good, bad and ugly

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The Internet Services Providers' Association (ISPA UK) has named, shamed and praised the individuals and organisations who did the most good for or harm to the web last year.

In the trade association's nominee list for the ninth annual UK Internet Industry Awards, Ofcom was praised for its TV without frontiers initiative, while in contrast someone normally hailed as a communications champion, Commissioner Viviane Reding, was slated.

The telecoms watchdog received two name checks in the category of hero, sponsored by UKFast, one for realising that it needed to tread carefully with web TV regulation and another for former chief executive Steven Carter's work to ease relations between the regulator and world wide web.

"For arguing that Europe's Television without Frontiers Directive should not be applied to the internet, as it would stifle creativity and investment in internet video as well as requiring Government regulation for little benefit," was ISPA's reasoning behind Ofcom's initial hero nomination.

With regard's to the nomination of Carter as a web hero for 2006, the trade association claimed it was "For over seeing the Strategic Review of Telecommunications and building a good working relationship between the Internet industry and Ofcom since his appointment in 2003."

But, in stark contrast to the praise heaped upon Ofcom, European Commission information society and media commissioner Reding was lambasted and branded a potential net villain, despite her efforts in other areas, particularly in calling for mobile roaming costs to be slashed.

Reding is eligible for the award, sponsored by Abbotsbury Software, "For foisting the most arcane set of rules yet seen for prior registration of .eu domains, requiring UK registered companies to submit legal affidavits to justify the authenticity of their business," according to the nomination advisory.

The awards, which are hosted in association with Epitiro, will be held at the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square on February 15.

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