New management for ISPA elected

The Internet Service Providers' Association of SA (ISPA) has named the management committee for 2011-2012 that will lead the organisation through a time of unprecedented change and growth in South Africa's telecommunications industry. Marc Furman of Internet Solutions (IS) and Jaap Scholten of eNetworks will lead the management committee as joint chairs, while Mike Silber of Liquid Telecom is the treasurer.

Said Furman: "We thank members of the management committee for the previous year for their service, particularly those that are stepping down. The management committee this year will follow the course they have plotted towards a more competitive telecoms market in line with ISPA's mandate from its members," Furman said.

This year ISPA will continue to push for ICASA to resolve the last few remaining roadblocks to a truly competitive industry, including the delays holding up the spectrum allocations needed for wireless broadband services as well as the slow pace of local loop unbundling.

The organisation will also continue to work with international ISP associations and local stakeholders to address global issues such as spam and child porn. Helping to nurture black-owned technology enterprises and supporting technology training in South African schools will also be priorities.

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.