ISPA Awards set for competitive testing phase

Scores of providers across the breadth of the industry have entered the 2016 ISPA Awards, the independent and longest-running awards in the sector. We are particularly pleased to see more and more ISPs enter the superfast broadband category and that the new categories, Best CPE Hardware and Best Tech Law Firm, have been well received and look forward to finding out the winners in July. From 12 February, broadband and hosting entrants will undergo 8 weeks of technical testing, with only the best performing providers being shortlisted. VoIP entrants will also have their lines tested and we’d like to thank Magrathea for their continued support as well as Thinkbroadband and Malden Electronics for providing the testing. All other categories are judged by case studies and we will be in touch with entrants with instructions on how to complete these.

 

Raise your profile among the Internet industry

The ISPA Awards are a great opportunity to align your company with the most prestigious and independent awards in the sector and stand out from the crowd as a leading vendor to ISPs.  Sponsoring a category includes 10 tickets to entertain clients and reward staff, the chance to present an award and extensive branding at the ceremony, which has 300 senior representatives in attendance. Please see the sponsorship options for more details.

 

Parliament raises Draft Investigatory Powers Bill concenrs

The Science and Technology Committee has concluded that the Draft Investigatory Powers Bill requires significant work and that the current draft risks undermining the UK technology sector. ISPA welcomed the report and our response is here. January also saw the last evidence sessions of the Joint Committee of MPs and Lords scrutinising the Bill and ISPA’s concerns published by parliament (here). We called on the Home Office to provide clarity on legal definitions and what counts as an Internet Connection Record as well as state concerns on the status of encryption and highlighted the importance of cost recovery, which makes it better for ISPs to plan and also acts as an important safeguard. The Joint Committee will publish their report on 11 February and the Government will respond a few weeks later, with a new Bill expected before parliament around Easter time.

 

ISPA continues to brief MPs on broadband

ISPA has been continuing to meet MPs from across the country, mainly focusing on how to  roll out superfast broadband to the hardest to reach areas and how MPs can help drive local campaigns. ISPA has been connecting members with local MPs to find solutions using the full range of technical options and there has seen some positive work, for example in Northern Ireland and Scotland, with ISPA featuring in a parliamentary debate on broadband in Northern Ireland. Furthermore, ISPA members have been taking part in the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into superfast broadband and we look forward to seeing the Committee’s recommendations.

 

Ombudsman Services appointed to provide Alternative Dispute Resolution for ISPA members

Ombudsman Services has been appointed by ISPA to provide free Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for ISPA members. ADR is a legal requirement for ISPs serving consumers and small businesses and members receive his for free as a benefit of ISPA membership.

 

ISPA in the press

The draft Investigatory Powers Bill, ASA research into broadband advertising and ISPA’s move to Ombudsman Services saw ISPA feature in a range of publications including BBC News, ITPro, Cable.co.uk, Comms Business and Ars Technica.

 

Deals for members

ISPA has secured a number of free spaces for members at the University of Salford Future of Telecommunications Conference’ on 10 February. Please email admin@ispa.org.uk to claim a space. ISPA members can also claim discounted tickets for the Smart City Expo taking place in London on 4 February.