ISPA Policy
April policy update
The policy team has had another busy month, working on sector issues and holding events for members.
Last week, the team worked with DSIT and INCA to hold an informational and feedback session on the PSTN Charter of Commitments, in order for Members to hear directly from Government and ask any questions around this issue. Discussions were held around the two different charters that ISPs can sign up to — Public Switched Telephone Network charter and Network Operator Charter — DSIT’s conversations with the telecare sector and local authorities, and how the telecoms sector can contribute to the wider issue around vulnerable customer definitions.
We have been working on sectoral policy issues, particularly around pole siting, which continues to dominate conversations in local communities and politics. ISPA commissioned data around awareness of the benefits which are brought by poles as infrastructure — this research is informing our ongoing engagement with Government, particularly given recent Ministerial interest in this issue.
- In addition to the research, we are welcoming data from members — such as complaints figures, cost of poles compared to underground infrastructure, etc. — to inform our reporting.
The team submitted a consultation response to:
- Street works: fines and lane rental surplus funds: the Department for Transport consulted on its proposals on how to encourage faster and more efficient road and street works, including raising fixed penalty notices (FPNs) and extending overrun charges.
In terms of policy engagement, the policy team has continued conversations with Ofcom regarding incoming obligations for the ISPs under the new Online Safety Act regime, specifically around the potential impact of business disruption measures (BDMs).
Finally, thank you to everyone who attended and participated in our 17th annual Parliament and Internet Conference 2024, where we welcomed representatives from across the sector — from industry and the third sector, to Parliamentarians and Government — to constructively discuss relevant issues, including the future of market regulation and how to address digital exclusion.
If you have any questions or would like to get more involved with policy issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us at policy@ispa.org.uk.
ISPA Events
ISP Business Summit 2024
Last Month: Parliament & Internet Conference, 20th March 2024
Last month the ISPA team hosted a successful annual Parliamentary Conference that features senior speakers from across industry, government and Ofcom. Our senior speakers included:
- Simon Fell MP
- Matt Warman MP
- Selaine Saxby MP
- Lindsey Fussell, Networks and Communications Group Director, Ofcom
- Clive Selley, CEO, Openreach
- Richard Tang, CEO, Zen
- Giles Rowbotham, General Counsel and CDO, Nexfibre
- Rebecca Molyneux, Deputy Director for Broadband Investment and Regulation, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
The afternoon alluded to several important progressions and analysis oft he sector and showcased the fantastic work of the sector so far. In addition, the conference highlighted to policymakers the challenges we as a sector still face.
2024 ISPA Awards - Entries Open, Tickets Now On Sale!
The Internet Service Providers' Association is delighted to launch the tickets for our iconic 26th ISPA Awards, championing the achievements of the UK internet sector. Get your seats to UK internet's biggest celebration, which brings together the length and breadth of the sector for an evening of fantastic entertainment.
We are excited to announce that the event will take place once again in the historic Old War Offices, which has undergone a £1.2bn renovation to become the most prestigious venue in London - The OWO Raffles, situated in the heart of London, between Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament.
The ceremony will take place on Thursday 21st November 2024 and your tickets include a welcome Champagne reception, 3-course meal (the menu created by the hotel's Michelin Starred Chef), entertainment and awards ceremony hosted by a well-know comedian (to be announced later this year), a DJ set to finish the party.
Our awards will this year showcase the excellent work of industry across a record 17 categories with some notable new additions including Best Sustainability and DE&I. Entry is free and you can still enter via the link - https://ispa.thinkbroadband.
For more information on the ISPA Awards, please visit https://www.ispa.org.uk/
If you have any enquiries or wish to discuss sponsorship of the event, then please reach out to awards@ispa.org.uk.
*This year we are offering an early bird offer to members, finalists and partners that removes the service fee from your order, this will run until 1st August 2024.
ISPA Partners
Watch back EPS Global’s expert webinar unravelling 400G ZR+ technology and discussing its transformative impact on data center interconnects. This webinar brings together Coherent, IP Infusion and Edgecore Networks to launch the groundbreaking 400G ZR+ bundle. This webinar covers:
- The impact of 400G ZR+ technology on traditional network architecture
- Key design considerations for integrating high-power 400G optics into existing data center infrastructure.
- The role of next-generation network operating systems in managing 400G environments.
- The economic and operational benefits of direct pluggable optics compared to traditional transponder-based architectures.
- Real-world case studies demonstrating the operational advantages of 400G solutions.
Join us and discover how Calix empowers AltNets to excel in subscriber acquisition, enhance experiences, and boost ARPU.
Here's a glimpse of our offerings:
We'll be showcasing these solutions at Booth #67 and would love to connect with you to discuss further.
Click here to schedule a meeting to see our solutions in action.
During the session, the expert panel will be discussing the results of an industry survey and the predicted changes to the telco industry landscape given the rise of consolidations.
Have your say and secure your spot for the webinar here!
Building on decades of leadership in high-speed network testing, VIAVI Solutions have launch the INX™ 760 probe microscope – the industry’s first single, duplex and multi-fibre probe microscope with a completely automated workflow.With unique features that deliver thorough and repeatable results in seconds, the INX 760 is intuitive for experienced and new technicians alike.
Find out more and watch it in action here.
New Partners 2024
In March, we were delighted to welcome IQGeo as a new Partner to ISPA:
IQGeo’s award-winning software gives fibre network operators the insights they need to plan, design, operate, and build better broadband networks. With a single shared geospatial network view for the office and field, the IQGeo software streamlines operational processes to support an integrated lifecycle that delivers faster time-to-revenue and keeps operators ahead of their competition.
Our SaaS-based Network Manager Telecom software is available in Insight, Professional, and Enterprise editions that support fibre network operators of virtually any size and budget. Proven by the world’s most demanding network operators, our software allows
teams to model any network requirement, integrate every system and data source, support office and field staff, and continually innovate to create and maintain the fiber networks of the future.
To learn more and see why thousands of users choose IQGeo, get in touch with John Tarleton at enquires@iqgeo.com
ISPA Content
Telecommunication Poles - Frequently Asked Questions
ISPA members can join CCUK Women in Telecoms Group
We are delighted to announce that ISPA has secured free membership of the Women in Telecoms working group ran by our sister organisation Comms Council UK. Female employees of ISPA members can join the group for free this year.
This group was created late in 2021 to meet a growing demand to give women working within our industry a regular opportunity to network, share career experiences, discuss hot topics and exchange ideas.
We hope this working group will provide a tangible way for our members to demonstrate commitment to women’s development. By encouraging women on your team to join ‘Women In Telecoms’, you can actively support them with their career goals as well as giving them a voice on the key issues impacting our industry.
We’re very excited about hearing from as many women as possible from your team, so please share this notice in all of your internal communications. They can register their interest in participating in this group and receive future group updates by emailing Michaela@
ISPA Members
This month we were excited to welcome Osborne Clarke as our new members!
Partner Events
ISPA in the Press
This month these publications the ISPA team provided comment defending industry in the ongoing dispute surround telegraph poles - notably The Telegraph article 'Ministers push back on new telegraph poles after broadband roll-out sparks anger'
Partners of ISPA
Become an ISPA Partner
ISPA Partnership offers organisations the opportunity to connect, develop relationships and grow their visibility with our 150+ ISP member community.
The packages run over a 12 month period and include 4 in-person events (including our prestigious ISPA Awards), online thought leadership, marketing opportunities and various other deliverables that ensures your organisation grows its connections in the UK ISP sector.
Find out what the opportunities are here.
To enquire about an ISPA partnership, please message our Head of Partnerships at krystian@ispa.org.uk.