ISPA Policy Updates
Infrastructure & Innovation: A Busy Start to 2025
As we step into February, Parliament is in full swing as the Government seeks to stimulate growth with key policy developments which will shape the digital and telecoms landscape.
The Chancellor’s recent speech set an investment and growth-focused tone for 2025, as the Government attempts to get business back onside after months of low confidence and anger over tax rises. In the speech, there was a strong focus on the potential of technology and infrastructure development — notably, an Oxford-Cambridge “growth corridor” and a Planning and Infrastructure Bill intended to accelerate the development nationally significant infrastructure projects, including data centres. Ministers have also been instructed to review and identify unnecessary regulations that may be holding back major infrastructure projects.
Alongside the speech, the Government published its 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy “Working Paper", setting out the government’s plans for the Strategy (expected in June, to be published alongside the Spending Review) and some “key areas under consideration.” Although telecoms and broadband do not feature in the working paper, the Government does recognised the importance of digital infrastructure more broadly in boosting productivity.
Meanwhile, a “blueprint for modern digital government” outlined the Government’s priorities of AI adoption (notable mention for the AI Opportunities Action Plan), cyber resilience, and improving digital public infrastructure. Additionally, the Data (Use and Access) Bill has finished its time in the Lords (for now), and will move into the Commons in February — still expected to become law by the summer, the Bill will introduce Smart Data Schemes and mandate telecoms participation in the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR).
Despite all this movement from the Government domestically, geopolitical tensions are challenging the UK’s role within the international landscape. Questions around the stance the UK (and Europe) will take on tech regulation — particularly cyber and online safety — will likely continue to dominate the rest of the year.
ISPA Policy Work
Nevertheless, it’s still business as usual for the ISPA policy team. We are currently finalising our response to the Technology Adoption Review, looking at how the Government can drive digital innovation across sectors, before the February 14th deadline, and working on responding to Ofcom’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) consultation. In January, we submitted a response to the Transport Committee’s inquiry into the effect of street works by utility companies on the maintenance of roads and pavements, and the CMA’s consultation on unfair commercial practices.
Alongside this, we are actively engaging with government on everything from fraud, communications data, digital inclusion and the upcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill — to note, the next ISPA All Member Call (27th February) will feature a presentation from officials on NUAR.
As always, please get in touch with policy@ispa.org.uk with any questions, or if you have any suggestions for policy issues we should look into!
Last Chance to Complete Survey!
ISPA Network Carrier Survey: Understanding what ISPs prioritise from their Network Carrier
ISPA's survey in partnership with nexfibre is closing soon, and we kindly ask any ISPA members and UK based ISPs to fill out the survey if you have not already done so.
The survey will help comprehensively understand what ISPs expect from a network operator in order to thrive, in light of the UK wholesale network market's transformation over the years.
We are kindly asking ISPA members, and all UK based ISPs to fill out this short survey to shape the market's understanding of what you expect and want in a wholesale partner.
The findings of the survey responses will be made available to ISPA members in 2025.
Please click the button below to complete the survey, and we thank you in advance for your participation in this research.
Fill Out Survey Response HereISPA Partners
PXC and Colt drive high-bandwidth connectivity for the future
As the UK’s fastest-growing wholesale provider, PXC has built a reputation for delivering an expansive portfolio of cutting-edge solutions and now, they’re taking things up a notch by expanding their partnership with Colt Technology Services to offer their high-performance 10Gbps Ethernet service – giving partners more ways to deliver next-level connectivity to their business customers.
Learn why this partnership is a game-changer.
New DrayTek 2.5GbE Products: Vigor 2136ax and VigorAP 805
Get your hands on the Vigor 2136ax to fully utilise your available bandwidth and improve VPN capabilities. DrayTek’s latest router enables lightning-fast internet speeds, 2.5 times faster than an 802.11ac 2x2 dual-band router!
Ensure speed dependent business, fast fibre connections, easy network traffic management and a safe network with a versatile firewall, with the Vigor 2136ax here: DrayTek Vigor 2136ax Router - Official UK/IRE Website
Pair with DrayTek’s high performance Wi-Fi 6, VigorAP 805, that can manage up to 8 mesh access points. Capable of conquering demanding applications with ease, such as video conferencing, gaming, and large file transfers. Explore here: DrayTek VigorAP 805 Access Point - Official UK/IRE Website
Aprecomm helps Excitel reduce churn by 20%
With the excitement surrounding the government’s recent announcement regarding funding for AI projects, there has never been a better time to assess how this technology can assist your business in creating tangible efficiencies.
Our new member, Aprecomm, has released a case study demonstrating how it assisted broadband service provider Excitel in streamlining customer support by implementing AI and taking a self-healing approach to managed WiFi.
Industry Insights
Climate adaption in the telco sector - ISPA ARP4 Report
Customer Case with Genexis
Due to LinkedIn security updates, ISPA has now had to move all our activity, updates and announcements from the ISPA LinkedIn team page to our ISPA UK company page.
Many of you already follow this page but we would ask everyone to please check and if you are not, please sign up to follow ISPA UK on LinkedIn.
This is an important step to ensure you never miss any of our updates, event invites and more...
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ISPA Members
ISPA is happy to welcome new members - MS3 Telecoms and LXS Consultancy.
MS3 Networks was created to challenge the broadband monopoly in Hull, bringing true broadband choice to the city and beyond by deploying new full fibre infrastructure. Our wholesale model means residents and businesses can now choose between several different internet providers for their connectivity solutions for the first time.
At LXS Consulting, we provide expert IT consultancy specifically tailored for alt-nets. Our focus is on empowering these innovative businesses by offering strategic partnerships, technical expertise, and bespoke solutions that drive growth and success. With our extensive experience in the telecoms sector, we understand the unique challenges faced by alt-nets and deliver services that include network design, architecture, SaaS, PMaaS, M&A design and implementation, and deployment support.
Partner Events
ISPA is hosting a roundtable in partnership with VIAVI Solutions on Wednesday 19th February at the ISPA offices in Shoreditch, titled ‘The Path Forward: Automation and the future of UK Fibre Wholesale’.
The UK fibre market is in a transition period, with the trend towards adopting scaled wholesale models to increase network penetration and profitability becoming more prominent. However, managing large-scale wholesale networks presents challenges in system management, service efficiency, and maintaining consistent quality for ISPs and end users.
The roundtable discussion will explore automation as a promising approach to the growing pressure on network carriers as faster broadband speeds increase consumer expectations and the demands of the digital world.
We welcome leaders of operations and delivery from UK wholesale networks. To register your interest, please contact the ISPA team below.
To register your interest, reach out to krystian@ispa.org.uk
ISPA offers its members a variety of discounts for events that we partner with:
Intelligent Automation Conference Global - 5th and 6th February 2025 - Find out more and register here.
Intelligent Automation Conference is set to return to London for its Global Edition, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and experts from around the world to explore the future of AI-driven automation. This premier event will offer attendees an opportunity to network, gain insights, and learn the latest advancements of intelligent automation. Your pass also gives you access to 8 collocated events, covering such technologies IoT Technology, Digital Transformation, Cyber Security, Cloud Transformation, Sustainability, AI & Big Data, Data Centres and Edge Computing.
Channel Live - 19th and 20th March 2025 - Find out more and register here.
Tech & AI Live - 14th and 15th May 2025 - the premier event for technology, AI, and cyber executives from across the UK and Europe. Find more information and register here.
CCUK Fraud Summit 2025: Joining the dots on information sharing for the UK communications ecosystem.
Register for the inaugural Comms Council UK Fraud Summit. The keynote speaker at the event will be Rt Hon Lord Hanson of Flint, Minister of State at the Home Office. Throughout the day, representatives from Ofcom, National Crime Agency, Home Office, Trading Standards, PXC, Gamma, Resilient, XConnect, Virgin Media and more will be joining our sessions and panels. Find more information here.
ISPA Members and partners can book CCUK member rates tickets here.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available, for more information visit HERE.
Partners of ISPA
ISPA is delighted to announce our latest partner, Corero Network Security.
Corero is a global leader in real-time, adaptive DDoS protection solutions. Corero empowers ISPs and enterprises to safeguard their networks while driving new revenue opportunities with DDoS Protection as a Service. Corero’s innovative approach to security doesn’t just protect networks, it enables businesses to thrive in an increasingly connected world, and we look forward to working with them going forward.
Learn more about Corero and their flagship product, SmartWall ONE™ here ➡️ https://www.corero.com/
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.
