Key Milestones

1996

  • Formation of the Internet Service Providers’ Association of SA (ISPA).
  • SATRA rules that Telkom’s monopoly does not extend to the Internet protocol, blocking Telkom’s attempt to extend its monopoly to include Internet access.
  • Establishment of the Johannesburg Internet Exchange (JINX) by ISPA members.

2000

  • Teachers’ Training program launched to provide computer and Internet literacy to teachers from disadvantaged backgrounds.

2001

  • ISPA and UniForum host the inaugural iWeek conference that continues annually to this day.
  • ISPA becomes a founder member of AfrISPA.

2004

  • WiFi LANs (Local Area Networks) are declared legal by ICASA, as a result of hearings requested by ISPA.
  • ISPA negotiates IPC agreement with Telkom enabling larger ISPs to provide alternative ADSL solutions.

2006

  • The IRB guidelines are published after a period of 4 years, primarily due to the pressure exerted by ISPA.

2007

  • Concerned about the potential anti-competitive consequences ISPA successfully lobbies the Competition Commission to prevent Telkom’s proposed acquisition of BCX.
  • Teachers’ Training program reaches a milestone of 1000 teachers trained.
  • ISPA becomes a founder member of the International Internet Industry Alliance (IIIA).

2008

  • First public Hall of Shame report published for South African spammers.

2009

  • ICASA completes the licenses conversion process for existing VANS licence holders (including many ISPA members) on 19th January.
  • ISPA launches an ISP entrepreneur training course.
  • Teachers’ Training program reaches a milestone of 1500 teachers trained.
  • ISPA officially recognised as an IRB by the Department of Communications.

2010

  • ISPA launches an industry iCode to protect consumers from malware and computer infections.

2011

  • The tenth annual iWeek conference takes place in Johannesburg.

2012

  • The iWeek conference is held in Cape Town for the first time.

2013

  • ISPA concludes Ketler case. ISPA accepted settlement of the costs incurred by ISPA as a result of legal action brought against it by the online marketing company in June 2012.

2014

  • ISPA participates in the national ICT policy colloquiums to develop a new national policy framework.

2015

  • African Union Commission awards INX-ZA a grant to expand the Internet exchanges to support regional users.
  • ISPA’s Code of Conduct comprehensively review to take legislative developments into account.
  • ISPA collaborates with other ICT bodies to form the South African ICT Industry Associations Forum (SAIIAF)

2016

  • DINX becomes the first multi-site exchange point in Africa.
  • Together with SAIIAF and civil society, ISPA lobbies to prevent pre-emptive classification of online content by the Films and Publications Board.
  • JINX expands to cover three sites within Johannesburg.

2017

  • ISPA was represented on the expert working group appointed to review the Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity Bill.

2018

  • The number of annual take-down notices lodged with ISPA exceeds 500 for the first time.
  • CINX expands to become the third city with a multi-site Internet exchange.

2019

  • ISPA launches a consumer mediation process to provide a platform for customer to escalate complaints involving ISPA’s members.
  • ISPA launches a fellowship programme June 2019 for Internet professionals.