Telecom-owned Xtra has been voted ISP of the year by members of the Telecommunications Users Association (TUANZ) at the organisation’s annual innovation awards in Auckland.
Xtra was up against more than 20 other nominees.
Telecom’s arch rival, Clear, was voted telecommunications carrier of the year, ahead of Telstra, Telecom, Vodafone and Walker Wireless.
TUANZ head Ernie Newman couldn’t say how close the voting was.
“I’ve had nothing to do with the judging or voting,” Newman says. “It would be improper to reveal vote numbers.”
He’s pleased to see Xtra among the award winners since it represents a thaw in relations between the telco and the user group, among whose members is Clear.
Despite efforts to persuade Telecom to join, Newman says it has chosen to remain outside the organisation, although “a good working relationship” is developing.
An award for telecommunications innovation went to Virtual Spectator for its America’s Cup application.