April Newsletter

ISPA has called for help in deciding who should be crowned Internet Hero and Internet Villain at this year’s ISPA Awards, rewarding those who have helped or hindered the internet industry. Last year saw Communications Data dominate the shortlists, with Dr Julian Huppert MP beating Edward Snowden to win Internet Hero and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan crowned villain, seeing off the Home Secretary, Rt Hon Theresa May MP. This has been a busy year with the internet industry facing many challenges. In Europe, net neutrality and data retention have seen major debates, and in the UK, parental controls, free-speech and broadband have kept ISPA busy. If you have a person or organisation you’d like to see nominated, for either award, you can submit ideas to us via twitter (@ISPAUK), using the hashtag #InternetHero or #InternetVillain. You can also email in any ideas on admin@ispa.org.uk. These awards are supported by fulfilment experts NetLynk Direct.

There are still some sponsorship opportunities for the ISPAs. As well as sponsoring entire categories, there are opportunities around advertising space in the brochure, or at the event itself. To learn more about how you can benefit from ISPAs sponsorship and make the ISPA Awards possible, please click here.

The CJEU this month declared the Data Retention Directive invalid and a breach of fundamental rights. The Directive required EU-based ISPs to store data and make it available to law enforcement, subject to member states legal processes. The judgement calls in to question laws across Europe, and industry needs clarity from Government on what it can and cannot store. ISPA has called on the Home Office to clarify what the judgement means for industry, and how it impacts other laws such as RIPA. ISPA will be working with members and colleagues in EuroISPA to make industry’s case to Government. ISPA members receive a full weekly update of all the major policy issues affecting the industry from the UK and Europe.

ISPA was very happy to see Ofcom research showing that average broadband speeds in the UK are higher than ever at 17 mbps. The investment ISPA members are putting in to their infrastructure is paying off, with 25% of residential broadband connections now classed as superfast (over 30 mbps). This research also shows a big jump in the average superfast speed, impressive given that broadband is the cheapest utility for households, with hundreds of providers competing in the marketplace. Our press release is here and the Ofcom research is here.

We’d like to welcome three new companies to the association. CloudScape Connect, HighNet and hSo to ISPA. To learn more about joining ISPA, please click here to see ten reasons to join or contact us on admin@ispa.org.uk.

ISPA has re-launched its website, with a new simpler design and a new searchable member directory. ISPA has been in touch with members to refresh their information on the site, which now supports logos and larger profiles. Members can get in touch with us on admin@ispa.org.uk for instructions on how to log in and update their information on the new site. Our new website can be found at: http://www.ispa.org.uk.

At Tagadab, we offer a range of flexible hosting packages including dedicated and virtual server options, with bespoke server solutions that can be tailored specifically to your business. Made up of expert hosting specialists, we’re proud to offer our customers full access to the knowledge and service of our friendly support team - just one of the many reasons that we believe our products and service to be second to none. The fact that more than 70% of our business comes from repeat orders and recommendations from existing customers is testament to our no-nonsense approach to service delivery and our focus on providing outstanding customer service. Established in 2007 by Steve Rawlinson, formerly managing director of Claranet Ltd, Tagadab is a hosting, virtualisation and dedicated server arm of the Claranet Group, one of Europe’s leading managed server providers. As such, we are able to offer all of the flexibility and personalised service you would expect of a smaller company, but with the backing and resources of a £100 million+ parent group with operations in seven countries. Want to find out more about us? Give us a call today on 0845 873 8366 or visit www.tagadab.com.

Data retention, the ISPA Awards and broadband were the main reasons for ISPA’s media coverage in April. ISPA featured in articles in the Daily Telegragh, Daily Mail (and here), V3, ISP Review, thinkbroadband and Broadband Choices. Full coverage can be seen here.

ISPA members get free and discounted places at a variety of external conferences and events. Please click here to see the calendar of events.