A busy 12 months of internet policy draws to a close
In what has been another dramatic year, with a surprise General Election result and the first phase of Brexit negotiations concluding, internet policy has continued to be a significant policy area. From ensuring the UK has the right broadband infrastructure in place, responding to and mitigating against significant cyber attacks, helping raise online standards to manage risks and harms online, strengthened consumer protection and more, the internet remains a priority for policymakers.
ISPA has been busy on these and other issues, working across its three main working groups (broadband, cyber security and content) to respond to and shape the regulatory environment. We responded to more than a dozen consultations, including on Full Fibre broadband, the NIS Directive, alternative dispute resolution, broadband advertising, the Investigatory Powers Act and many more. We explored these issues across a range events, including our annual conference and the 19th ISPA Awards.
2018 looks set to be another crucial year for our industry, with implementation of GDPR and NIS, further details on the design of the broadband USO, the start date of age verification, an expected Consumer Green Paper, more investment in broadband infrastructure and a Digital Charter. ISPA looks forward to working with and on behalf of its members in what will be our twenty-third year.
Entries open for the Twentieth ISPA Awards
We are now accepting entries for the ISPA Awards 2018. You can enter here today!
To mark the 20th anniversary of ISPAs, and the ongoing changes in our dynamic and exciting sector, a number of new and revised categories have been devised. These include:
- A Twentieth Anniversary Award for individuals, companies or initiatives that have provided consistently exceptional service for the past 20 years;
- The Best Project or Partnership Award that recognises partnerships and collaboration involving ISPs, community organisations, local bodies or interest groups;
- The Best ISP PR Campaign to award agencies that have helped ISPs stand out from the crowd.
The ISPAs are one of the few industry awards that require technical testing for broadband and hosting entrants and our technical partners thinkbroadband will once again be carrying out millions of tests. A panel of industry experts will determine the shortlists for other categories and all the eventual winners.
The ISPA Awards are free to enter and open to all providers of internet services. To enter, companies must register with thinkbroadband here by 31st January 2018. Companies must then submit written entry forms by 29th March 2018, while broadband and hosting entrants undergo technical testing between 12th February and 29th March 2018.
The winners will be announced at the gala ceremony and dinner in July 2018. There are a variety of sponsorship options available on the night that enable companies to promote themselves to hundreds of senior decision makers. Zen Internet and Magrathea have already signed up as sponsors of Networking drinks reception and VoIP category respectively. For more information on the upgraded sponsorship benefits, please click here.
Full list of categories
- Best Rural Broadband
- Best Business Broadband
- Best Superfast Broadband
- Best Customer Service
- Best Security
- Best Host
- Best VoIP
- Best Wholesale ISP
- Best Project or Partnership
- Best ISP PR Campaign
- Executive of the Year
- 20th Anniversary Award
- Internet Hero
Click here to enter the ISPAs 2018!
Getting ready for GDPR
With the implementation date for the General Data Protection Regulation fast approaching, ISPA and Kemp Little LLP are hosting an ISPA members-only event at 3pm on 18th January 2018.
The purpose of the event is to help ISPA members prepare for GDPR compliance. Aimed at compliance and operational reps, experts from Kemp Little will provide their take on how ISPs should approach GDPR and members will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss with fellow members how best to set themselves up for GDPR.
138 Cheapside, London EC2V 6BJ
ISPA Forum - RSVP today
ISPA are pleased to invite you to attend our first event of 2018 an ISPA Policy Forum, taking place in Manchester on Wednesday 31st January 2018 from 2pm until 5pm in the offices of ISPA Legal Forum member, DLA Piper LLP.
This event is free for ISPA members and is a chance to meet with the ISPA team and follow members. The day’s agenda will include updates on:
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- GDPR from DLA Piper
- ISPA’s policy agenda
- Local Full Fibre Network
- ISPA’s ADR provider Ombudsman Services presentation
The event will conclude with the networking drinks reception.
1 St Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 3DE
ISPA in the News
Our comments on Net Neutrality in the US were picked up by Sky News, Independent, Irish News and BT. ISPReview and thinkbroadband promoted the launch of ISPA Awards, uSwitch published our advice to customers regarding the broadband speeds and we also provided comment on the UK surveillance law amendments to Bloomberg News.
- We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
- We are looking forward to seeing you all at our events next year.