Internet Service Providers' Association

iWeek 2006: 4^th - 7^th September 2006

 

 

Overview

 

The Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA), in association with UniForum SA, the CO.ZA Administrators, are pleased to announce that they will be co-hosting a three day series of presentations, workshops and social events in Johannesburg.

 

The Department of Comunications has secured Platinum sponsorship, with MTN Networks securing Gold sponsorship and Storm securing a Bronze sponsorship.

 

iWeek 2006 is proud to announce its annual conference and exhibition to be held at the Kyalami Castle in Midrand, South Africa from 4 - 7 September 2006. This is a specialist conference targeting local players and decision makers within the Internet industry in South Africa as well as regional players within Africa.

 

iWeek 2006 prides itself on bringing together the relevant parties from Government and infrastructure providers down to the smallest entity offering Internet access to the consumer to discuss, highlight and explore worldwide trends and local issues in a harmonious and constructive manner for the greater good of the Internet.

 

iWeek 2006 is set to be the Internet industry event of the year. The conference celebrates a decade of work by The Internet Service Providers Association of South Africa, the unwavering support of its co-host UniForum South Africa (the .co.za registrars), their uplifting social development programme promoting the use of the Internet and assisting under-privileged communities to get connected.

 

This auspicious occasion is about celebration - The ISPAs 10th anniversary and iWeeks 5th anniversary.

 

iWeek 2006 programme

 

The programme brings an extensive range of industry experts from across virtually every continent, making this the premier event to exhibit at. Themes include:

• The Internet in South Africa: The last 10 years and the next 10 years
• The Wireless Internet Boom
• VoIP and Spam
• Regulatory development
• Who is watching what? Interception, data retention and content

About the hosts

 

The Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA)

 

The Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA) is a non-profit South African Internet industry organisation. It was formed on 6 June 1996 and currently represents in excess of 112 Internet service providers with a diverse range of services and target markets. Members include non-profit providers and educational networks, as well as commercial service providers.

 

ISPA's Internet exchange

The ISPA is an active industry body, facilitating communication between Internet service providers in South Africa. Collaboration levels have historically been very high, leading to the formation of the Johannesburg Internet exchange (JINX) in 1996. This exchange point routes Internet traffic between different Internet access providers and serves as a means to keep South African traffic within the country's borders. This reduces the costs of international Internet links and provides consumers with improved access to South African networks.

 

Regulatory and policy activities

 

Since its launch, ISPA has played an important role in the development of South Africa's telecommunications and Internet policy. ISPA has participated in policy discussions and made numerous presentations to policy makers in a number of important legislative processes, including:

• VANS and PTNs licensing regimes
• Facilities leasing and interconnection guidelines
• Telkom rate review
• Telecommunications Amendment Act
• Electronic Communications and Transactions Act
• Regulation of Interception & Provision of Communication-Related Information Act
• Film and Publications Amendment Act
• Electronic Communications Act

ISPA produces regulatory advisories on issues of importance to the industry and makes these advisories publicly available via its web site.

 

The ISPA has applied to the Department of Communications for recognition as an industry representative body and has also made a submission to the industry representative body (IRB) guidelines.

 

ISPA and the South Africa community

 

The Internet industry believes that it should give back to the community at large. Many of ISPA's members provide cost-based or free services to educational organisations and other non-profit organisations.

 

In 2001, ISPA launched its own social development program, partnering with UniForum SA to provide Internet training to school teachers. ISPA hopes to expand this programme in the future and the project team is currently holding discussions with the Department of Communications.

 

UniForum South Africa

 

Uniforum SA is a non-profit organisation tasked with the administration of the CO.ZA domain name space. With more than 240000 registrations, the majority of South African domain names can be found in CO.ZA. These names represent 95% of the total number of registrations in .ZA and a large percentage of African ccTLD registrations for the entire African continent.

 

Funds resulting from UniForum's domain registration activities are applied to education in the disadvantaged communities. Education is a common passion amongst the CO.ZA community as a sound education results in a more competitive economy and ultimately a better life for all the citizens of this country.

 

Through its participation in the Mindset, NetDay and ISPA projects, the organisation attempts to address learner education, educator development and the provision of IT infrastructure. UniForum's social development takes place under the CO.ZA Cares banner, honouring those parties who have registered CO.ZA domain names, thereby keeping our country ahead in the road to a better education.

 

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Should you have any queries please contact:
iweek @ ispa.org.za