Finalists unveiled for 2008 ISPA awards

The Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA) has announced the finalists for its tenth annual internet industry awards.

Prizes are awarded in 13 categories for consumer and business providers, including best business broadband, best shared hosting and best streaming.

There also awards for the internet hero and internet villain of the year. This year, the nominations for internet hero include Facebook, the Financial Services Authority and Peter Robbins OBE, the founder of the Internet Watchdog Foundation.

In the internet villain category, the French president Nicolas Sarkozy is nominated for proposing a tax on internet access, while UK opposition leader David Cameron gets a nod for "buddying up with the music industry and trying to appeal to a younger audience".

Another perceived internet villain is the British Phonographic Industry, which is nominated for its "heavy handed" approach against consumers over filesharing issues.

The winners will be announced on March 14th at an awards ceremony to be held at the Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair.