ISPA in 2015
2015 was ISPA's 20th Anniversary and was a big year for the association. We gained 14 new members, held 10 events, appeared in the press 150 times and participated in all the major policy debates affecting the sector.
Policy ISPA represented members on major issues such as broadband, investigatory powers, the Digital Single Market and tackling extremism online. We have officially responded to several consultations this year, including the Ofcom Digital Communications Review, the parliamentary inquiry into superfast broadband and the Science and Technology Committee investigatory powers inquiry. The General Election saw ISPA react to the political party manifestos, and engage with dozens of the nearly 200 newly elected Members of Parliament to educate them on broadband, investigatory powers and surveillance issues. The new Conservative Government has pledged a new Universal Service Obligation for broadband and introduced new laws on consumer protection, surveillance and age verification, so ISPA met with officials from the Home Office, Treasury, DCMS, BIS and the new Minister for Internet Safety to represent the views of industry.
Media ISPA was ever present in broadcast, print and online media with the Investigatory Powers, the ISPA Awards and the Ofcom Digital Communications Review generating the most coverage, however we also commented on how heat affects the Internet, the election and the Digital Single Market. You can see our media coverage here.
Events The 20th Anniversary ISPA Conference took place in November, looking at future broadband technology, investigatory powers, business communications and cyber-threats. We held a plenary session at the Parliament and Internet Conference on the importance of encryption plus a workshop on the Digital Single Market. The ISPA Awards were in July with Hyperoptic and Catalyst2 winning multiple awards and we held three dinners and drinks receptions for members.
New members ISPA also gained several new members with the likes of Venus, Huawei, Surf Telecom and Clannet joining the association. A list of members is here. With the Ofcom strategic review published early next year and the Investigatory Powers Bill progressing through parliament, we expect a busy start to 2016! |