Internet Service Providers' Association

Apply for ISPA membership

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You can apply for ISPA membership on the website at http://www.ispa.org.za/apply by clicking on the "apply online now" link to the left. However before you do so, please ensure that you have read the constitution and the membership application guidelines which explain the basic requirements for membership; the categories and fee structure.

Once you have completed the form, the application will be sent to ISPA's membership working group for review and the management committee for approval. The process takes approximately 5 - 6 working days to complete.

Membership categories

There are five categories of ISPA membership:

• Large
• Medium
• Small
• Affiliate
• Honorary

Voting members

Large, medium and small are all voting membership categories, while affiliate and honorary are special non-voting categories.

In order to qualify as a large, medium or small member, you must hold an ECS or ECNS licence, and/or be in the business of providing Internet access services.

Internet services include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Internet access providers (including Virtual Internet Access Providers [IAPs])
  [Test: Can a member of the public contact the company and obtain a price for Internet access (including Internet access bundled with VoIP)]
• Server hosting companies
  [Test: Can a member of the public contact the company and obtain a price for the hosting of a physical server? (NOT a web site)]
• Internet infrastructure providers
  [Test: Does the company provide equipment and ongoing services critical to the operation of the Internet in South Africa?]

Determination of membership categories

Applicants are free to determine their own membership category. ISPA provides the following suggested guidelines:

• Large: A company that has its own direct link to a part of the Internet located outside of the African continent (usually the US).
• Medium: A company that operates points-of presence in more than two South African provinces. Alternatively, a virtual access provider with more than 256kbps of bandwidth to its upstream network operator.
• Small: Anyone else.

Non-voting members

Affiliate membership

The affiliate membership category allows persons and organisations in related fields to participate in ISPAs activities. Fees for this category of membership are the same as for the small member classification, but affiliates are non-voting and are not eligible for connectivity to the ISPA exchange.

The types of companies that this category includes:

• Security solution providers
• Cryptography providers
• Internet consultants
• Web development/content companies
• E-Commerce solution providers
• Internet training providers
• Internet authentication and certification providers

Honorary membership

Honorary membership includes educational institutions, schools and non-profit organisations. The ISPA management committee bestows membership upon a selected body. No fees or voting rights apply.

International membership

Organisations situated in the southern African region may join the association and determine their own membership category. In addition to the benefits offered, being the same as those provided to all ISPAs members, international participants are also permitted to connect to the interconnection points. International members do not however qualify for voting rights. Fees will depend on the category selected and are no different to local subscriptions.

Fees

Membership fees

Category	Fees (inclusive of VAT, effective 1 August 2009)
Large	R8 550.00 per month
Medium	R2 280.00 per month
Small	R 570.00 per month (or R5 700.00 per annum)
Affiliate	R 570.00 per month (or R5 700.00 per annum)
Honorary	R 0.00

Important to note:

1. Membership fees are billed monthly or annually as an option for the small and affiliate members. Additional fees are charged for connection to JINX (refer below).
2. In order to ensure the good will of applicants, all new members are requested to settle the first three months of their subscription fees in advance. Alternatively, members are welcome to sign a stop order.
3. Suitable arrangements can be made with the accounts department by sending a message to accounts (at) ispa.org.za.

Code of Conduct

In terms of ISPAs Code of Conduct, there is a requirement for links to be implemented from the ISPs web site to the ISPAs site and Code. Thus a functioning web site is a prerequisite for new members. Applications should not be submitted until such as time as this obligation has been realised.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Secretariat at:

+27.11.314.7751.