Parliament & Internet | The Internet Service Providers Association

Parliament & Internet is an annual conference to discuss Internet policy and inform policymakers by bringing together Government, Parliamentarians, officials, business and civil society. It is a platform where thought leaders debate important technology issues that shape legislative policy in an open forum.

The stimulus for Parliament & Internet came from UK members of Parliament with a keen interest in the Internet who visited Washington DC between 2003 and 2006 and spoke at the US Congressional Internet Caucus. It was felt that a similar regular open dialogue was needed in the UK. The first Parliament & Internet conference was held in the Houses of Parliament in October 2006 and has become a key event each year since for those interested in discussing Internet policy.

Parliament & Internet Conference - 8th July 2025

ISPA is delighted to launch this year’s Parliament & Internet Conference, taking place on the 8th July from 2pm to 6pm in the Attlee Suite at Portcullis House, 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. Over the past three decades, the internet has transformed every aspect of our lives-- from how we communicate and work, to how we access information and services, to how we view our future security. The rapid growth of the internet industry has created immense opportunities, underpinning the future of the UK economy and society. However, the future progression of the sector and its nationwide impact is not without challenge. How has the role of ISPs changed over time? What lessons have we learned from the past, and how can we ensure that the next phase of digital innovation unlocks potential across all communities?

This event will explore these pressing questions, offering a forward-looking perspective on the role of connectivity in shaping the UK's future.

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.

The event will include a keynote address from a senior governmental figure, followed by a networking reception.

We are grateful to Nexfibre for supporting and sponsoring this event. However there are more opportunities to sponsor and become more involved in the event, please reach out to krystian@ispa.org.uk if you want to learn more.

Sponsorship offers organisations the opportunity to distinguish themselves as an integral industry advocate, and comes with branding and participation opportunities.

Parliament & Internet Conference - 20th March 2024 - Priorities in enabling the UK’s digital future

As the country prepares for a General Election this year, a change of Government is potentially on the horizon. Therefore, the 17th annual Parliament and Internet Conference identified key ongoing themes in the UK’s digital landscape which will influence the priorities of an incoming Government, and explore how these trends will continue to impact the UK’s future as a leading digital nation.

Over the past decade and a half, digital transformation has been at the heart of the Parliamentary agenda, and seen significant developments which have reshaped the country and economy. Record levels of investment have increased full fibre rollout to more than 60% of the country; strengthening of the rules and regulations across security and safety; and the digitisation of public services have established digital innovation as central to the UK’s global role and strategic advantage.

However, as every aspect of our lives is permeated by digital opportunities, new challenges and barriers continue to arise: from ensuring digital inclusion is feasible and affordable to all, to securing adequate investment to maintain rollout and capitalising on socioeconomic possibilities. These objectives will require a flexible and effective regulatory environment which equally encourages growth and competition while grappling with a shifting political environment, therefore necessitating coordination between policymakers and industry.

We were delighted to have the Government’s Rural Connectivity Champion, Simon Fell MP, as our Parliamentary sponsor for the event. The Conference featured keynote speeches and panel discussions, bringing together 150 senior delegates from across Government, regulators, Parliament, industry and the third sector to offer their expert insight into how we can wrap up the previous challenges and confront new ones, in order to ensure the future of the UK as a digital nation.

Event Sponsor:

Parliament & Internet Conference 2023

ISPA UK’s 16th annual flagship Parliament & Internet conference took place in the Attlee Suite at the end of last month. We were delighted to welcome representatives from across industry, government, academia, and civil society to listen in and participate in an essential event at a critical time for our industry. The afternoon was full of insightful discussion and debate about the future of the UK internet sector. Our expert panels and keynote deep dove into the future of broadband, key policy developments, FTTP rollout, net neutrality, and cyber security.

The afternoon kicked off with introductory remarks by ISPA’s chair, Steve Leighton, who then introduced the first panel which this year focused on net neutrality.

On this panel we were delighted to be joined by:

Roslyn Layton, PhD, Tech Policy Lead at Strand Consult
Clive Carter, Director of Group Regulatory Affairs at BT Group
Dr Monica Horten, Policy Manager at Open Rights Group
Till Sommer, Head of Policy at ISPA UK
Matt Warman MP (Chair)

With the results of Ofcom’s review of the UK’s net neutrality regime expected in Autumn, the panel examined what the revisions and a reconceptualisation of the current regulatory regime could look like, contributing to how it can be redefined for the internet of the future. Chaired by former Broadband Minister Matt Warman MP, the panel had a spirited discussion on what an open internet could look like in the UK after its exit from the EU - and what overarching policy objectives the Government should consider when comparing it to other nations. The main conclusion from the panel was that the UK's review represents a once in a generation opportunity to change the current constricting rules on industry.

We were then joined by Baroness Neville-Jones, the former Security Minister, who delivered the cybersecurity keynote session. Some of the key takeaways from her keynote included how the UK has improved national cyber security capacity since her role in the Cameron Government and the formation of NCSC. Her discussion on cybersecurity concluded with a call for greater collaboration and information sharing between technology companies, governments, and other stakeholders.

As the country gears up for the next General Election in what is slated to be Autumn 2024, our final panel of the day held a timely discussion on the need for broadband to remain a long-term political priority, the remaining barriers faced by a highly competitive industry in the rollout of gigabit broadband, and what is next for the broadband sector.

We were thrilled to be joined by:

James Fredrickson, Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Hyperoptic
Catherine Colloms, Director of Corporate Affairs and Brand, Openreach
Gareth Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Gigaclear
Brian Potterill, Director of Competition Policy, Ofcom
Ben Lake MP (Chair)

With excellent chairing by Ben Lake MP, some of the key takeaways of this session included support for flexi-permits, a call for greater diversity in the industry, the impact of inflation, and a lively debate on Equinox 2 and mid-contract price rises.

Overall, the event was a great success, bringing together over 100 attendees, and we are incredibly thankful for the fantastic speakers who shared their insights with us. The discussions and knowledge shared will undoubtedly lead to a more informed and innovative approach to the regulation and growth of the telecoms sector in the UK. We look forward to welcoming everyone to next year’s Parliament & Internet event.

Parliament & Internet Conference – 23 March 2022

ISPA was delighted to hold the 15th Parliament & Internet conference in the Attlee Suite of Portcullis House on 23rd March 2022. The event was at full capacity and featured two excellent panel discussions on ‘Is gigabit capable broadband on track to level up the UK?’ chaired by Selaine Saxby MP and ‘Where next for ‘UK Internet?' chaired by Ben Lake MP.

An array of panellists offered their expertise on these matters including Catherine Colloms (Director Corporate Affairs and Brand at Openreach), Katie O’Donovan (Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google) and Amy Jordan (Principle Public Policy, Ofcom). Additionally, there were two great keynotes from Helen Milner OBE, Group Chief Executive at the Good Things Foundation and Stephen Bonner, Executive Director at the Information Commissioner’s Office.