ISPANZ is a non profit, industry group that represents most Internet Service Providers operating in New Zealand. Our membership includes all the major ISPs outside those of Telecom and TelstraClear, plus a broad range of medium and small ISPs. We exist to promote a fair and fully competitive Internet marketplace where our members can deliver the full benefits of the Internet to the New Zealand public and our economy. Our primary goals are to:
- Improve New Zealand’s poor International ranking for broadband uptake,
- Enable New Zealand businesses to become more competitive internationally through use of Internet enabled technology,
- Improve Internet pricing and services for ordinary Kiwis,
- Enable New Zealand to reap significant economic benefits as it becomes a broadband enabled society.
1. WORK PLAN SUMMARY:
- Broadband Reform
- Telecom Operational Support
- Telecom UBS Backhaul and Interconnection
- Internet Code of Practice
- Peering
- Membership Participation
- Communications Strategy
BROADBAND REFORM WORKING GROUP
Scope:
To work with key stakeholders (especially the Government and Telecom) to ensure the NZ broadband marketplace is overhauled to deliver a vibrant wholesale market offering consumers world-class products and pricing.
Members:
David Diprose - ihug (Project Leader)
Graham Walmsley - CallPlus
Scott Bartlett - Orcon
Action plan:
- Produce a Position Papers on Operational Separation (ongoing)
- Determine the best approach to deal with backhaul congestion issues and lobby both the Government and Telecom for improvement (ongoing).
- To provide appropriate input into the implementation of the Government’s Regulatory Reform package, including meetings with key stakeholders and submissions, plus presenting at ICT conference (ongoing).
- To work with Telecom and the rest of the industry to agree technical specifications and implementation details for enhanced UBS and LLU (ongoing).
- To lobby the Government and Telecom for quick wins with enhanced UBS and network information availability.
- To monitor changes in the broadband space and produce timely press releases aimed at producing optimal outcomes for ISPs and raise awareness of key issues (ongoing).
TELECOM OPERATIONAL SUPPORT WORKING GROUP
Scope:
Encourage Telecom to provide ISPs with a higher level of operational support.
Members:
Jenny Longhurst - ICONZ (Project Leader)
Kim Thibault - Maxnet
Desmond Chan - Orcon
Ahmed Moharam - ihug
Background:
ISPANZ members have historically been disappointed with the level of operational support received from Telecom Wholesale. There is reasonable a level of engagement now.
Operation:
The group meets with Telecom every two months, reporting back afterwards. Members with issues can advise the project leader who will test with the other members to identify whether it is a broad issue or individual to the ISP.
Action plan:
- Maintain regular meetings with Telecom to raise and resolve issues (ongoing).
- Use ISPANZ working group as a liaison point to resolve common ISP concerns with Telecom and if necessary lobby externally for resolution (ongoing).
- Maintain an issues register which outlines the major issues experienced by ISPs and circulate to Telecom and ISPANZ members (ongoing).
- Ask ISPANZ members for operational issues experienced, document in issues register to ensure visibility of issues, and allow members to raise the importance of an issue if required (ongoing).
TELECOM UBS BACKHAUL AND INTERCONNECTION WORKING GROUP
Scope:
To improve the congestion concerns with Telecom UBS backhaul and the efficiency and scalability of network interconnection between Telecom's broadband network and the ISP’s network.
Members:
Mark Frater - Compass (Project Leader)
David Diprose - ihug
Jenny Longhurst - ICONZ
John Butt - ICONZ
Graham Walmsley - CallPlus
Action plan:
- Work with all UBS providers to develop an improved UBS backhaul dimensioning proposal and present to Telecom.
- Develop a technical specification for interconnection based upon proven data networking technologies that allow fast and cost effective data transfer.
- Develop a framework for a commercial agreement based upon a shared-cost network interconnection model.
- Get ratification from Telecom and UBS providers for the adoption of this interconnection method.
- To get agreement from telecom for the use of alternative cost effective interfaces for UBS handoff and timing around delivery.
INTERNET CODE OF PRACTICE WORKING GROUP
Scope:
To review ISP views of the latest draft of the Internet Code of Practice, in light of the Customer Complaints Code and Telecommunications Dispute Resolution Service, determine likelihood of support from ISPs, and recommend any changes.
Background:
A code of practice for ISPs was released in draft form by InternetNZ in March 2005. Since then the TCF has produced the Customer Complaints Code and is setting up the Telecommunications Dispute Resolution Service. InternetNZ is redrafting the ICOP to remove duplication with the CCC and TDRS.
Members:
Richard Wood (Project Leader)
David Diprose - Ihug
Robert Hunt - Plain Communications
Action plan:
- Receive redrafted ICOP
- Research members’ views
- Determine likelihood of ISP support and advise ISPANZ council
- Draft any proposed changes for council to submit.
PEERING WORKING GROUP
Scope:
To support and help facilitate the re-introduction of local peering and educate members and external stakeholders on the requirements and benefits of peering.
Members:
Jamie Baddeley - FX Networks (Project Leader)
Bruce Trevarthan - ZeroOne
Mark Frater - Compass Communications
Action plan:
1. Negotiate with Telecom regarding its peering proposals
MEMBERSHIP PARTICIPATION
Scope:
To increase the participation of the members in the activities of ISPANZ and keep an eye out for new member possibilities.
Members:
Jamie Baddeley - FX Networks (Project Leader)
Jenny Longhurst - ICONZ
Action plan:
- Explore ideas around increasing participation of members
- Identify any new member possibilities and approach for membership
COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY WORKING GROUP (INACTIVE)
Scope:
To maintain an ISPANZ communications strategy to help us achieve our key objectives.
Members:
Mark Frater - Compass (Project Leader)
Brett Herkt - Maxnet
David Diprose - ihug
Action plan:
1. To maintain a communications policy for how the ISPANZ president, directors, working groups and members should communicate both proactively and reactively (completed).