Law Firm Bird and Bird to Host the 6th Annual ISPA Conference -
Book now to receive the early bird rate
The 6th Annual ISPA Conference is to be held on the 1st December at ISPA Legal Forum member Bird and Bird's London offices. Last year delegates heard from the Digital Britain minister Stephen Timms on the Government's plans for the digital economy, and various panel sessions discussed matters of importance to the internet industry.
The conference this year will cover the implementation of the initial obligations code, broadband and more besides. ISPA will be confirming speakers and agenda for this year's conference in the coming weeks.
For information about the early bird booking price, sponsorship or speaking opportunities please contact admin@ispa.org.uk
Cost Rise for Small Scale Broadband Networks
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has announced new guidance onbusiness rates for broadband networks this month. The changes increase the costs for a small scale community project which is in contrast to Government's previous statements on this issue.
ISPA recognises the reduction of the fibre rate for new NGA access providers to £20 per premise connected, but notes that the adopted methodology may be more expensive for FTTC networks that have already been deployed. It also does not allow for models to be developed outside of those adopted by the incumbent operator.
ISPA is calling for an urgent review of the new rating system and is in contact with Government to make the case for realistic, lower rateable values to encourage investment in community, rural and alternative network investment.
BT, Eclipse Internet, Everything Everywhere and O2 Join ISPA Council
ISPA would like to welcome Mita Mitra from BT, Clodagh Murphy from Eclipse Internet, Trish Church from Everything Everywhere and Ian Roy from O2 as four new additions to the ISPA Council this month. The new council members were voted in at ISPA's AGM in July.
ISPA Secretary General Nicholas Lansman said, "I would like to welcome our new ISPA council members and look forward to working closely with them to continue to grow the association over the coming months.”
The full list of ISPA Council members can be found here -http://www.ispa.org.uk/about-us/.
ISPA's Membership Expands With Two New Members
IT support and solutions provider Inventive Data Limited and ISP comparison company, Broadband Choices, both joined ISPA in August.
Inventive Data provides voice, data, managed and professional services -http://www.inventivetechnology.co.uk and Broadband Choices provides broadband comparison, speed testing and consumer information -http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk.
Nicholas Lansman, ISPA Secretary General, said, “ISPA would like to welcome its two latest members to the association and is looking forward to working with them in the future."
Penrith and the Border Broadband Conference 18th September 2010
...Connecting Cumbrian Communities
Rory Stewart MP is holding a Broadband Conference on Saturday 18 September at Rheged Centre, Penrith, which he very much hopes you will be able to attend.
It will be opened by The Hon Ed Vaizey, Minister for Broadband. Speakers will include Stuart Burgess, Chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities and Bill Murphy, Managing Director Next Generation Access BT, alongside community activists and technology entrepreneurs. The aim of the Conference is to explore the ways in which industry, government and local people can work together to bring Broadband to one of the most challenging and dramatic landscapes in England.
For further details please see our website www.rorystewart.co.uk/broadband.
The cost of the conference is £15.00 including lunch and coffee. The Conference is open to all and to purchase your ticket please contact Jo Dunning-Thomas at Rheged on 01768 860011 or email jo.dunning-thomas@rheged.com.
ISPA Member Discounts at Forthcoming Events
ISPA members receive discount on entry to many forthcoming events including the SDP Global Summit, The Digital Economy Act, User Generated Content and the Mobile Cloud Computing Forum in September and November.
For details on the events and discounts for members visit -http://www.ispa.org.uk/events/page_23.html.
ISPA In the News
ISPA was quoted in the news this month on issues ranging from the initial obligations code, cyber security and fibre optic broadband.