As well as news from INCA itself we are keen to include relevant news items from INCA members. Please send relevant items of news, ideally including a photo where relevant, to news@inca.coop. We'll publish news from members that we feel is of interest.
Following the successful INCA Conference held on 16/17 October in Manchester, where we enjoyed record levels of participation, we've now compiled all of the videos, the photographs, and the speaker presentation decks from the event.
Here's a quick taste of what's on offer:
Following on from the work we've been involved in over recent months on the rapidly approaching changes to the method for consumers to be able to switch their broadband connection / internet services provider, we've scheduled our first event for members to enable us to provide a briefing and gather feedback on what's happening.
The new process for Cross Platform, Gaining Provider-Led Switching, which we cover in more depth in this briefing note, will need to be adopted by every INCA Member who runs a network and/or retails internet access services to consumers and SMEs.
The achievements of some of the UK’s best independent network organisations and individuals were acknowledged last night at our second annual INCA Golds Awards Dinner.
As the Government pledges to reach its full fibre targets ahead of 2025, the awards recognise the innovative work being done by independent network operators to build next-generation networks to meet future broadband demands.
Acknowledging the efforts of companies and individuals across the sector, eight awards were presented, with accolades going to:
A major change to the broadband industry affecting all network operators is coming and coming fast. Based on the new EU Electronic Communications Code (EECC), Ofcom is mandating a new method for consumers to be able to switch their broadband connection, which needs to be in place by 21st December 2020.
The new method will be a "Gaining Provider-led" switching process where the customer is moving between retailers whether they use the same or different access infrastructures (e.g. Openreach to another wholesale platform & vice versa). It even applies to non-fibre or copper infrastructure such as FWA.
As we approach our Annual Conference, we have great pleasure in announcing the names of the people and organisations that have been shortlisted for an INCA Gold Award this year.
As with last year, we received a high number of excellent entries. Our judging panel were impressed with the quality of submissions, which only served to make their task harder. However, they have reached a decision on the shortlist, which is as follows. The organisations shortlisted are:
When INCA started back in 2009 many of the leading independent digital infrastructure providers were a glimmer in the eye of their founders, or just starting out. Today they represent a genuine and fast growing force to compete with BT and Virgin Media, delivering the new communications networks that we will all depend on for decades to come.
Following a flurry of last minute activity to try to get awards entries submitted before the deadline, we've decided to extend the deadline to ensure that everyone has a chance to enter.
The time pressure is off, but not by much. There is still everything to play for. Our judges haven't seen any entries yet, and won't until after the new deadline has passed. So get cracking, and send us your entries to be in with a chance to win the recognition of your peers, and a shiny INCA Gold trophy to boot!
All the details you need are here. The new - and final - deadline is mifnight on Friday 13th September. Lucky for some!
We are hosting a number of exhibition pods for INCA Members at the Connected Britain event at the Business Design Centre in London's Islington this week 18/19 June.
We are also there to discuss two hot topics: Gold Standard Quality Mark, and Wholesale Switching / IP Migration.
As more Gold Standard accreditations are processed, this is a good opportunity to check your progress with INCA and, if you haven't applied yet, get your accreditation started.
The issue of IP Migration will affect every INCA Member providing wholesale or retail services in the marketplace. We are forming policy with interested Members and sit on various groups including the IP Consumer Communications Working Group. If you want your opinion in the mix, that's what INCA is for.
Secure Web Services Ltd (SWS) has become the first wireless services provider to achieve our Gold Standard Quality Mark which recognises network excellence. As a fixed wireless access (FWA) network provider, SWS met the stringent criteria of the scheme and can now use the Gold Standard Quality Mark Scheme logo as part of its branding to highlight that its network is among the best in regard to performance, design and operation.
New INCA and Point Topic survey finds industry expects this to rise – but INCA CEO says there is still more to be done to meet Government targets
A new report has today revealed that the UK’s independent network providers increased full-fibre coverage by 30% in 2018, reaching almost 1.3 million premises. Compiled for INCA by Point Topic, using data from independent network operators, the report – ‘Metrics for the UK independent network sector’ – puts the total number of premises passed or addressed by altnets at nearly 3.32 million premises. This includes more than two million premises which are estimated to be covered by Fixed Wireless Access (FWA).
