Big Smiles for ihug

Media release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
07 April 2006

Big Smiles for ihug

ihug, New Zealand's largest reseller of ADSL broadband, has been voted best Internet service provider (ISP), for the second time in six months.

Thousands of New Zealanders voted the ISP 'tops' on a range of criteria including quality of service, reliability and price at the 9th annual NetGuide awards in Auckland last night.

ihug chief executive Mark Rushworth says ihug is proud to have been recognised by Kiwi consumers as New Zealand's best.

"We've got a great team, some awesome products - including New Zealand's fastest broadband at $29.95 - and thousands of very loyal and supportive customers. It's great to be rewarded for getting it right."

ihug has gained significant popularity recently due to their active lobbying of the government for improved broadband, which includes the launch of www.betterbroadband.co.nz. NetGuide's editor Nigel Horrocks said in today's NZ Herald that broadband was having a big impact globally on the trend towards online interaction.

"I think that's one of the reasons that we could be left way behind in this country if we don't really fully embrace the broadband thing," he said.

Rushworth says: "Kiwis need to be able to get fast, affordable broadband from a number of different providers - the only way that will happen is if the local loop is unbundled. We're looking forward to hearing what the Government plans to do as a result of their current telco industry stocktake."

ENDS

ABOUT IHUG

Established in 1994 ihug is New Zealand's original Internet pioneer and the largest wholesaler of ADSL broadband, with over 100,000 Internet and phone subscribers. In October 2003 ihug merged with iiNet Limited - Australasia's third largest Internet service provider. The iiNet Ltd Group currently has 690,000 subscribers using broadband, dial-up and telephony products in New Zealand and Australia. For more information, please visit www.ihug.co.nz. Ihug - voted ISP of the year, TUANZ innovation awards, 2005.

© Scoop Media