Internet Service Providers' Association

Welcome to the Internet Service Providers' Association.

The Internet Service Providers' Association is a South African Internet industry body not for gain. ISPA currently has more than 145 members, comprised of large, medium and small Internet service and access providers in South Africa. Formed in 1996, ISPA has historically served as an active industry body, facilitating exchange between the different independent Internet service providers, the Department of Communications, ICASA, operators and other service providers in South Africa.

For more information on why you should join ISPA please view this page.

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What can ISPs do about undesirable content?

ISPA has commissioned a paper by Paul Esselaar with regard to the issue of undesirable content.

In this paper the first issue that is addressed is the stakeholders who hold the keys to the flow of information via the Internet. Only these stakeholders are in a technically feasible position to filter or block content. Thereafter we focus on the definition of what constitutes "undesirable" content and the degree of "undesirability" of that content. A crucial next step is to differentiate the concepts of content blocking and content filtering as they are substantially different and are often misnamed in the popular press. The next section considers the practical implications of "opt-out" and "opt-in"" Internet connectivity, where end-users would be provided with the choice to either opt-in or opt-out to receive certain undesirable content (such as adult pornography). The crucial role of education with reference to the many dangers present on the Internet is considered as well as the mechanism of Take-Down notifications which is already present in South African law. Finally some recommendations are made as to whether content should be filtered and if so, the practical ways in which the various stakeholders would be able to assist in combating undesirable content.

You can download the paper here - (updated) 668KB

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ISPA Members who register domain names in client's name

At a Code of Conduct workshop held on 15 November 2006, it was noted that the most common complaints lodged with ISPA are domain names disputes. Specifically, ISPA often receives complaints from customers who have requested the transfer of their domains names, only to discover that they are not, in fact, the official registrant for that domain because their ISP has registered the domain in the ISP's name.

The list of ISPA members who register COZA domain names in their client's name is here.

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ISPA's letter to ICASA with regard the ADSL Regulations

Download the PDF document from here (178kb).

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Industry Association Participation

• ISPA is a proud member of AfrISPA
  http://www.afrispa.org
• ISPA also has a Memorandum of Understanding with EuroISPA
  http://www.euroispa.org
• ISPA is also an active participant in the World ISPA Forum.

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Valued Partnerships

• The Internet Society of South Africa, representing the interests and needs of South African Internet users.
  http://www.isoc.org.za
• The LINK Center, a leading research and training body in the field of information and communications technology (ICT) policy, regulation and management in Southern Africa.
  http://link.wits.ac.za

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Related Resources of Interest

• Internet Cafe Directory:
  http://www.internetcafedirectory.co.za
• South African ISP map:
  http://www.ispmap.org.za
• Useful industry resources and legislation:
  http://www.internet.org.za

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Social Development

ISPA has an ongoing Social Development project training teachers in basic computer skills. Since inception of the social development program 1340 educators have been trained, and by Septermber 2007 this number will be 1400.

Find out more information about ISPA's Social Development program here.

Download the application form for the start-up ISP training course here and send to queries [at] ispa.org.za or fax to fax to 086 606 4066.

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Website

We hope you like our new look website. Should you have any suggestions feel free to email the webmaster.