KCOM nominated for national awards for Lightstream rollout
Communications and IT provider KCOM has been nominated for two national awards for its ground-breaking rollout of ultrafast fibre broadband across Hull and East Yorkshire.
East Yorkshire broadband champions KCOM are to take on UK heavyweights Openreach at the prestigious Internet Service Provider Association (ISPA) Awards 2020
Local company KCOM, winner of numerous national and European awards for innovation, has been shortlisted alongside the national telecoms provider Openreach in the Best Infrastructure category at the awards, which have been dubbed the Oscars of the internet industry.
The Hull-based broadband provider has also been shortlisted for the second year running in the Best Consumer Internet Service Provider category – after bringing home the title last year.
Tim Shaw, managing director of KCOM Wholesale, welcomed KCOM’s nomination for Best Infrastructure, saying it showed KCOM’s full fibre network was a beacon of quality for other providers.
He said: “This is great news as it’s a validation of our decision to invest millions in a quality, UK-leading full fibre infrastructure. Our network is enabling KCOM customers to access great quality broadband services and creating many new opportunities for home users and business alike.
“And with our recent expansion announcements we’re looking forward to bringing the benefits of full fibre broadband to even more towns and villages across our region.”
KCOM is shortlisted alongside industry heavyweights Openreach as well CityFibre, Glide and Grain Connect in the Best Infrastructure category.
Sean Royce, managing director of KCOM Retail, also welcomed the nomination for best Consumer ISP, saying: “I’m absolutely delighted we’ve been nominated as Best Consumer ISP once again. It’s real recognition of all the hard work and effort that goes into making sure our customers get a fantastic service.
“Of course, this is the second year we’ve been nominated for this award after winning it last year – so I’m very much looking forward to defending our title, bringing home the trophy and doing the double.”
KCOM now faces stiff competition from fellow finalists Community Fibre, Glide, Hyperoptic and Zzoomm to bring the Best Consumer ISP award home.
The eventual winners will be revealed at an award ceremony in London on 18 November.
Announcing the shortlist an ISPA spokesperson said: “In this the 22nd year of the awards we feel it is more important than ever to acknowledge and showcase the industry.
“The importance of keeping the UK connected has been clear for all to see during the global pandemic, allowing friends and families to keep in touch, keeping the economy moving, supporting a shift to remote working and enabling home schooling.”
KCOM, which completed its £85m rollout of full fibre broadband across its traditional network in 2019, announced earlier this year that it was investing a further £100m to expand its network to connect tens of thousands more properties across East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
The ISP has already reached Driffield, Market Weighton and Nafferton and this week announced it will shortly be available in Pocklington, Goole, Withernsea, Howden and Hornsea.