ISPA CONFERENCE 2025
Join us at our upcoming Conference in North, which will be taking place on the afternoon of 2nd October in the offices of our members BT in Salford.
Throughout the afternoon you will hear from guest speakers and representatives from AVM as well as panel sessions on Digital Foundations and Connectivity in Public Services. Confirmed speakers include George Robinson, Head of Government Affairs at Vodafone; Jan Collins, Managing Director - Enterprise at KCOM; Sultan Mahmud, Director of Health & Communities at BT; Alexandria Morgan, Digital Inclusion Officer at Trafford Council; and John Duncan, Connected Places Lead - Regional Connectivity Projects at GMCA + many more...
PANEL SESSIONS
Digital Foundations: Unlocking Regional Economic Growth through Connectivity
This panel will focus on how digital infrastructure acts as a driver of economic growth in the UK’s regions. It will explore the role of connectivity in stimulating local economies - by attracting investment, enabling SME growth, modernising traditional industries like agriculture and manufacturing, and fostering innovation. The discussion will centre on how policymakers and industry can make a stronger economic case for long-term digital infrastructure investment to level up regional prosperity.
Connectivity in Public Services: Rethinking Access, Equity and Transformation
This panel will examine how connectivity is becoming a critical enabler of modern public services, particularly in health, education, and local government. With a focus on regional transformation, it will explore how digital infrastructure can reduce pressure on services, improve equity of access, and embed innovation into service delivery - from NHS remote care to inclusive digital education. Speakers will consider how to embed connectivity into public policy as a fundamental utility and driver of social impact.
Don't miss this must-attend ISPA event as we explore the transformative role of connectivity in shaping the future of public services, local economies and community outcomes. Hear from leading voices across Government, industry and the public sector as they discuss what needs to happen, and how we get there.
The full agenda will be revealed soon and ISPA members get free tickets so register today to secure your place and be part of the conversation driving real regional change!
Should you be interested in exploring sponsorship opportunities to raise your company's profile at this event, please contact Krystian@ispa.org.uk for more information.
ISPA Policy Update
A very busy holiday
Despite the parliamentary recess, August was unusually packed with ongoing work for industry.
Nearly two years after the passing of the Act, the child safety element of the Online Safety Act came into force – sparking again a well-worn debate and media storm around the right to free speech versus the need to protect vulnerable people from online harms, which saw “VPN” became the acronym of the month. We expect movement on the enforcement regime in coming months.
In the broadband world, fibre rollout continues to increase steadily, with thinkbroadband reporting that FTTP now covers 79.27% of premises – Yorkshire and Humber has surpassed London due to focused investments, although much of London’s coverage is due to overlapping networks. Interestingly, we also expect to see an evaluation of BDUK’s various projects, including various mobile and broadband roll-out programmes – including Project Gigabit, Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN), Shared Rural Network (SRN) and GigaHubs – next year (2026).
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has launched CAF 4.0, an updated framework for critical infrastructure sectors – including telecoms – which includes new guidance on AI-related threats, secure software development, and improved detection and response.
Finally, DSIT has launched its £9.5m digital inclusion fund to help people struggling to access digital services, with grants available for local initiatives, as an AgeUK report warned that 2.4m older people have limited internet usage, with barriers particularly high among certain ethnic groups and those living alone.
ISPA Policy
Over the past month, ISPA has continued to engage across all our policy streams Most notably, ISPA, along with INCA and MobileUK, attended and presented in a workshop to MHCLG and the BSR to discuss HRBs. Additionally, the multi-dwelling units (MDUs) Access working group submitted a written update to DSIT, which precedes an anticipated consultation on granting leaseholders the right to request gigabit-capable broadband. We put forward that the proposed solution would only address the ability to request access, and does not address the systemic behaviours which allow for delays in negotiations.
In addition to our ever-present infrastructure work, ISPA is re-launching active cyber and online safety workstreams – please get in touch if you would like to join.
We are currently drafting responses to the SSP, CMA pricing transparency, NUAR (tranche 1 regulations) and MHCLG Decent Homes Standard consultations, all to be submitted in coming days and weeks. We are also considering responding to the new telecoms security code of practice consultation.
Partner News
Steve Leighton Joins Altnets as Strategic Advisor
We're strengthening our leadership with Steve Leighton joining as Strategic Advisor on August 1. Currently Chairman of the Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA), Steve brings over 20 years of telecommunications experience, including 10 years as CEO of Voneus, where he championed digital inclusion and delivered broadband to remote regions.
Steve was attracted to Altnets because "I want to work with driven, like-minded people who share my values, ambition, and positive spirit. The Altnets team ticks every box."
His appointment comes as the UK targets 99% gigabit coverage by 2030. Steve's expertise in policy, high-growth business, and supply chain innovation will help us modernise outdated models, accelerate network delivery, and create greater customer value.
Get in touch with Altnets today
Single Line Voice now available from PXC
PXC has officially launched Single Line Voice, a VoIP-based fixed-line voice solution designed for the all-IP future. As traditional copper services are phased out, this new service ensures customers remain connected via SOGEA or FTTP broadband nationwide. Single Line Voice is ideal for business and consumer users needing a single number on a single line, and is easy to deploy with PXC’s advanced APIs.
Contact PXC below to get started with Single Line Voice for your customers.
Zzoomm, BeFibre and Heights Telecom announce launch of Wi-Fi 7
Zzoomm and BeFibre - the retail arms of the alternative network FullFibre - today confirmed the launch of Wi-Fi 7.
Simon Gray, Brand and Marketing Director at Zzoomm and BeFibre, said: “Delivering Wi-Fi 7 today is part of our continued dedication to be at the forefront of enhancing customer experience. As the Wi-Fi 7 standard becomes more prevalent across consumer devices, we’ll be well positioned to ensure our customers are able to make the most of their devices’ capability.
Interested in WiFi 7? Get in touch here.
Over 18% of the UK population still lacks access to full fibre broadband, with rural communities most affected. To address this challenge, Networks Centre and ISPA UK are hosting a strategic roundtable with leading fibre operators, solution providers and rural deployment experts. The two-hour session will explore how to accelerate rural rollout, overcome technical and operational challenges, and strengthen collaboration with local communities.
Join us to share practical insights, lessons learned and strategies to maximise connectivity in the UK’s most hard-to-reach areas. RSVP to Bea@ispa.org.uk
Industry Insights
Insights with TP-Link – PON Deployment & Beyond: Solutions, Gaps, and What’s Next
Driving Down Total Cost of Ownership in Telecoms through Smarter Network Design – Insights with ISPA Partner Altnets
Openreach PIA and its significance to the UK fibre broadband industry – Insights with ISPA Partner IQGeo
ISPA Events
Search for an Internet Hero
We are once again searching for the Internet Hero! The Hero award celebrates an individual or an organisation that has gone above and beyond to impact the internet and its community positively. We are accepting nominations of any organisation or individual who have dedicated themselves to driving connectivity forward in the UK over the past 12 months and beyond.
To submit a nomination, please send the name of the individual/organisation and list your reasons for the nomination to awards@ispa.org.uk, or via social media using the hashtag #internethero. The deadline for submission is Friday 17th October.
Our 2025 Hero will be announced alongside other winners on Thursday 13th November 2025 at the City Central at the HAC in the City of London. Book your tickets to the internet’s largest celebration of the industry here. All those nominated will receive a free ticket to attend the ceremony as ISPA’s guest.
The awards would not be made possible without the support of the 2025 ISPA Awards sponsors: Adtran, Altnets, Aprecomm, Calix, City Fibre, Corero, eero, Genexis, Heights Telecom, IQGeo, Linksys, Magrathea, Networks Centre, Netgem, Netskrt, Plume, PXC, TP-Link, Strategic Imperatives and VIAVI Solutions.
Book your tickets here
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
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 here!
Partner Events
UK&I Telecoms conference is back!
ISPA members get 20% off tickets to the RICS UK & I Telecoms Conference
Returning in 2025 with a forward-looking programme, this year’s event will be examining a variety of topics including telecoms liability under the Building Safety Act, how AI is reshaping network management and customer service; how data centres and connectivity will tackle infrastructure demands, alternative dispute resolution, and the latest industry support initiatives.
Quote code VC-P6J7S-T9N4Y-2025 at checkout when booking here.
Connected Britain - 24th and 25th September - ISPA speakers will be participating in many sessions at this year's event. Book your tickets here.
Women in Telecoms group 3rd anniversary - 21st October. The event is open to all women in telecoms and those who champion them. RSVP here.
White Label World Expo - 12th and 13th November 2025 - Find out more and register here.
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.
