ISPA Policy Updates
Connected and Protected: UK Telecoms Policy Updates
Amidst the warmest Spring on record, May brought a flurry of activity across the policy landscape, from progress on full-fibre rollout and digital trade to a sharp rise in cyber threats – all shaping the environment in which our members operate.
Ofcom’s Spring Update confirmed that FTTP now reaches 74% of homes across the UK, an increase from 69% in July last year. Furthermore, 86% of homes now have access to gigabit-capable broadband, ticking the box for Project Gigabit’s goal of 85% by the end of 2025.
The UK experienced a notable surge in cyberattacks last month, impacting sectors such as retail, healthcare, and government services, with the most noteworthy incidents at Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and the Legal Aid Agency, underscoring an escalating threat landscape. The UK government has intensified its cybersecurity initiatives, including announcing the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) earlier this week which focuses strongly on cyber capability, and will soon be publishing the Cyber (Security and Resilience) Bill, which will aim to enhance regulations, expand incident reporting requirements, and strengthen oversight of critical infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the government is set to unveil its long-anticipated multi-year Spending Review on 11th June. This will outline departmental budgets and public spending plans, setting the tone for policy delivery and investment across key areas such as digital infrastructure, innovation, public services, and net zero. The ISPA team will be watching closely to assess how government funding priorities align with the UK's ambitions for nationwide full-fibre rollout, digital inclusion, and cyber resilience.
ISPA Policy
Over the past month, ISPA has continued to drive forward its engagement on several fronts. We submitted letters to DSIT requesting more information around the implementation of the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR), to MHCLG and DSIT seeking clarity on how High-Risk Building regulations are affecting broadband deployment, and engaged with the Treasury ahead of the Spending Review to highlight the importance of Government funding for telecoms.
We also gave evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee on non-consensual intimate image abuse, and will be joining DSIT’s new Joint User Poles (JUP) Working Group, aimed at overcoming physical deployment barriers through improved pole-sharing processes. Following successful discussions at the ISP Summit, ISPA is also helping coordinate the Business Connectivity workstream with DSIT.
As always, members are encouraged to get in touch via policy@ispa.org.uk to feed in views or raise new policy areas for us to explore.
ISPA Partners
Networks Centre - Your Go-To FTTx Partner
Need a reliable partner for your FTTx rollout? Networks Centre delivers a comprehensive range of fibre optic products and end-to-end solutions—including pre-built assemblies, equipment hire, and specialist training.
With tailored project support, outstanding customer service, and strategically located warehouses across the UK and Europe, we guarantee fast, dependable delivery and expert guidance every step of the way.
Click here to find out more
Corero's 2025 Threat Intelligence Report
The DDoS Threat Is Evolving. Most Defenses Aren’t.
Attackers hit fast, cheap, and often—millions of times a year. Corero’s latest report uncovers how automated, low-volume attacks bypass legacy defenses and quietly degrade service. It’s not the big floods that break things—it’s the constant pressure you don’t see.
If your DDoS strategy hasn’t changed since last year, you’re already behind.
See what’s hitting your peers before it hits you.
Read the full report here
Netgem TV is reshaping the TV landscape with a cost-effective, white-label platform that boosts RFS conversions. Designed to increase ARPU, boost sales and maximise customer retention, Netgem TV enables our ISPs to challenge SKY, VMO2, and BT/EE with fibre and TV bundles. Partners gain full access to expert marketing tools and support. With best-in-class content and UX, Netgem TV is set to lead again - watch this space for a UK first in Q4! Already deployed with 12 ISPs including Community Fibre, BRSK, and TalkTalk, Netgem TV enters the Next Generation, adding more IP Channels, Streaming Apps, and an exciting Cloud Gaming service.
Learn more about Netgem
Achieve up to a 73% improvement in TTFF
A Graybo survey revealed that 80% of UK sports fans prefer watching matches solely via streaming platforms. It’s clear that major growth in live streaming sports will continue. So how can ISPs adapt to growing demand and strain on their networks that comes with live streaming sports?
The Netskrt CDN helps ISPs deliver high-quality streaming content while achieving network cost savings – regardless of traffic spikes. In the UK, ISPs have seen up to a 73% improvement in time to first frame (TTFF), compared to legacy CDNs.
FAQs for ISPs
At last month’s annual ISPA Summit, Jeevan Patil, VP of Product Experience at Linksys, delivered a compelling session on “Reimagining WiFi: The Future of Privacy-First Connectivity in the UK.” highlighting WiFi as a modern utility and basic human right, he explored how Linksys is stripping away complexity, championing user privacy, and building seamless, sustainable connectivity solutions that reduce ISP support calls and enhance the customer experience.
Discover more here
Raising the bar in telecom with AI-driven digital twins
Discover how AI-powered digital twins are transforming the telecom industry in IQGeo’s latest blog. From the rise of 5G to the explosive growth in fiber deployments, operators are under constant pressure to deliver more, faster, and with greater precision. This article explores how combining real-time data, advanced analytics, and AI enables telecom operators to optimize network performance, reduce downtime, and accelerate innovation. By creating intelligent replicas of physical networks, companies gain unparalleled visibility and predictive capabilities—driving smarter decisions and better service. Read more to see how this game-changing technology is raising the bar for operational excellence and competitive advantage.
Read the full article here
Industry Insights
Driving Down Total Cost of Ownership in Telecoms through Smarter Network Design – Insights with ISPA Partner Altnets
Read here
Openreach PIA and its significance to the UK fibre broadband industry – Insights with ISPA Partner IQGeo
Read here
ISPA Events
ISPA AWARDS 2025 - SPONSORSHIP NOW OPEN
Participate in the ISPA Awards 2025, the most prestigious and longest running industry awards! This year, we're particularly excited as we mark 30 years of ISPA. This year's ceremony will be at City Central at The HAC - a custom event venue, meaning we have a host of new and exciting sponsorship opportunities.
These options offer you and your organisation the opportunity to put your brand at the forefront of the ISPAs in a fun and memorable way, and there are choices across a variety of price points to cater for different budgets.
Find out more about what you could put your brand on below!
Find our pack HERE - get in touch with bea@ispa.org.uk to hear more
ISPA Awards News
Written entry deadline is 20th June!
This is a reminder that the written entry deadline for all categories is 20th June. Although technical testing for ISP categories has commenced, there is still time to register for other categories - Best Fibre Infrastructure, Best Wholesale Platform, Best Network Integration, Best Technology Partnership, Engineer of the Year, Best Customer Loyalty, Sustainability Champion, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion, Best Voice Provider, Best Customer, Network and Data Security, Best Community Engagement, Best Customer Experience and Digital Inclusion Champion - Industry.
We encourage all ISPs, network operators, technology partners, and industry stakeholders to take part. The registration and participation remains free to all!
How to participate:
Email awards@ispa.org.uk with the name of the category you would like to enter.
Find the written entry form in categories on our website, complete the form and send it to awards@ispa.org.uk by 20th June 2025.
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 13th November, Early Bird tickets are already on sale HERE.
Find out more about the awards here
REGISTER FOR THIS YEAR'S PARLIAMENT & INTERNET CONFERENCE
We would like to invite you to this year’s Parliament & Internet Conference, taking place on the 8th July from 2pm to 6pm in the Attlee Suite at Portcullis House in Westminster.
Now in its 18th year, the P&I Conference is the key annual parliamentary event for the UK’s internet and connectivity sector, welcoming key representatives from across the policy landscape – including industry, government, Parliament, academia and civil society –to discuss the impact of connectivity and the policy issues facing the UK internet sector.
The 2025 P&I Conference takes place within the context of a relatively new Parliament looking to make its mark; a brand-new Digital Inclusion Action Plan; legislative developments across cyber, online safety, and emerging technology; underpinned by the Government’s Industrial Strategy. It also takes place during ISPA’s 30 year anniversary!
Throughout the day, expert speakers will provide key insights through panel discussions and keynotes covering the evolving role of ISPs in online safety, the opportunities and challenges facing the sector, and the steps needed to ensure digital infrastructure delivers economic and social benefits across the UK.
ISPA members get priority tickets. Discover the sponsorship options HERE.
Register for P&I Conference here
ISPA Members
ISPA is thrilled to welcome new member Octaplus!
Founded in 2022, Octaplus is a UK-based Internet Service Provider and Network Operator dedicated to delivering ultra-fast, full-fibre broadband services nationwide. With a focus on affordability and reliability, Octaplus offers symmetrical upload and download speeds, ensuring seamless streaming, gaming, and browsing experiences. Their comprehensive packages include premium Internet, TV, and phone services, providing customers with an all-in-one solution for their connectivity needs.
Partner Events
ISPA offers its members a variety of discounts for events that we partner with:
CCUK Webinar on AI in the workplace - 18th June, 12pm. Register here
Women in Telecoms group online meeting - 16th July, 11am. Find more about the Women in Telecoms group and join here.
Connected Britain - 24th and 25th September - ISPA speakers will be participating in many sessions at this year's event. Book your tickets here.
White Label World Expo - 12th and 13th November 2025 - Find out more and register here.
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.
