“The newly-appointed WISPA chairman is former Ofcom head of broadcasting and telecommunications for Wales, Hywel Wiliam.”
According to the Wales Online website.
We can confirm that this announcement has nothing to do with wispa Limited, and Hywel Wiliam is not our chairman…
According to the same article Mr Wiliam is quoted as saying:
“I firmly believe that Wales has a bright digital future but we want other providers to join us fast and we also want to sit down with BT at the earliest opportunity. Wales must not get left behind.”
Which would seem to suggest that someone at least is trying to get the provider industry in Wales organised – which is great. Anything that helps companies and individuals to gain better broadband can only be a great thing for Wales, although with there being such a strong division of Ofcom in Wales (Ofcom Wales Website) it does beg the question as to what an organsiation like this may be seeking to do?
There is very little additional information on Wales Online – but what is there can be found in full here:
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FOLLOW UP (03/06/2011)
It seems that WISPA (Welsh ISP Association) is aiming to bring a more ordered and focussed approach to the Welsh ISP fleet, by having (admittedly volountary) a code of practice that ISPs will need to adhere to. This is something that will be in addition to the legal requirements laid down by Ofcom, so can only be viewed as a good thing if policed properly. Additionally, they are seeking to act as a single point of contact (not their words) for what happens in Wales from a broadband perspective.
This could be a fantastic thing for Welsh broadband if managed well and if they gain a voice that is listened to. If that happens it can only be good for the consumer and bring a degree of balance to the somewhat one-sided (BT led) conversations that take place with the Welsh Assembly at the moment.
Let’s hope that is what happens.