Internet experts invited to enter for ISPA's iWeek

The Call for Papers specifies that the initial proposal to be considered as a speaker for iWeek should be submitted to ISPA by the end of May, with the final deadline for submission of the speaker's profile and presentation content being 30 June. Presentations should be no longer than 30 minutes and should cater for a few questions afterwards. Most talks will be streamed live via the web and all presentations will be posted on the iWeek website subsequent to the event.

"Potential speakers should note they will be speaking to an interesting mix of the most competent individuals from the greater Internet industry. Furthermore, iWeek is in its 11th incarnation which by itself implies high standards," says Jaap Scholten, co-chair of ISPA.

Three content streams

ISPA plans to offer three content streams at iWeek 2012. Potential speakers should be cognisant of the fact that their presentations should address business trends, legislation and governance or technical advances in the Internet industry. Examples of topics that would be considered for discussion include the pointers below.

The business trends track is focused on what lies ahead for ISPs: Where is the business case for an ISP these days and where will it be in the near future? Who are the up-and-coming examples of planning for the future? Build or sell? Financing equipment through investment or leasing? Diversify or focus? Where will the "un-capped" frenzy end? Is there space for multiple VoIP providers, or will we consolidate into three or four major players? How to provide a CDN at globally competitive rates? How do you market SaaS to SMBs?
Delving into new technologies

The legislation and governance track is there to help ISPs figure out how to capitalise on markets that are opening up from a governance point of view such as whitespace and local spectrum. Where are we going with privacy, copyright and spam? How do ISPs remain compliant on a budget?

The technical advances track will be delving into the new technologies that are busy defining the tasks and efficiencies of today's ISPs. Ranging from the much-hyped cloud to billing systems, IPv6 to high-speed fibre, these talks have to provide ISPs' technical staff with information on subjects that will make their customers happier and their engineering lives easier. Topics such as building the cloud, turning it into off-site storage, or even a content delivery network. What to do with the insatiable P2P network demands. How can we provision more cost-effective national bandwidth?

For more information, go to www.iweek.org.za.