Melbourne, September 1, 2006 - OPEN Networks, a leading provider of broadband hardware and software solutions for the home and office, last night won the prestigious "Excellence in Services: Application Service Provider" award at the annual SPAN CommsDay Awards.

The gala ceremony featured a keynote address by the Hon Senator Helen Coonan, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and was attended by 500 senior industry executives.

The ‘Excellence in Services‘ Award reflects the rise in importance of application service providers. OPEN Networks‘ iConnect broadband installation and service management software was recognized by the judges to be delivering a unique value proposition to Australian ISPs.

Managing Director of OPEN Networks, Derek Campbell, said, "This prestigious award validates the company‘s dedication to delivering a unique value proposition to Australian ISPs. Our award winning installation and service management software, iConnect, is rapidly changing the face of the Australian broadband market. By automating installations for broadband, VoIP and Wireless LAN coupled with in-service management and content delivery, iConnect has been playing a pivotal role in improving operational efficiency, customer experience and increasing net ARPU for an increasing number of Australia's largest service providers."

The SPAN CommsDay awards are designed to recognise the excellence of both companies and individuals. In his opening remarks at last night‘s ceremony, SPAN Chairman, John Kranenburg said, "Award recipients were selected from a shortlist of 38 finalists, all of whom warrant our applause as the industry‘s créme de la créme. The outstanding excellence of their submissions underscores the fact that all tonight"s nominees are winners to the credit of their employees and the benefit of the customers they serve."

Communications Day Publisher, Grahame Lynch, said, "The 2006 Awards evidence a new higher standard of industry excellence. Tonight‘s trophies were presented to the industry‘s "most deserving" but the real winners are Australian businesses and consumers who are being increasingly well served by an innovative, competitive and growing telecommunications sector."

Click here to view the iConnect suite.