Summary of Trade Association Initiative

AIM
Achieve advantageous changes to relevant national policies by establishing a unified point of contact for the industry,
which facilitates the bi-directional communication of pertinent information and viewpoints in respect to promoting
and advancing the agenda of regional internet service providers.
OBJECTIVES
➢ Establish a trade association to coordinate interests and promote the industry.
➢ Publish an independent, econometric based report to highlight the economic worth of regional ISP’s.
➢ Produce a definitive white paper that presents an integrated plan for all service offerings and their subsidization.
➢ Achieve political and regulatory wins for the industry’s policy objectives and legislative agenda.
PROVISIONAL AGENDA: SHORT + LONG-TERM ITEMS TO BE VOTED ON BY MEMBERS
➢ Engage with ComReg and respond to consultations.
➢ Lobby the government and members of the Oireachtas.
➢ Undertake media spots with regard to radio and television interviews.
➢ Challenge the Advertising Standards Agency on contract non-performance.
➢ Establish a blacklist to prevent non-paying customers hopping between ISP’s.
➢ Achieve a regulated price for backhaul fibre access.
➢ Win dedicated access to several blocks of preferable spectrum.
➢ Advocate for a strict ‘Use it or lose it’ policy for spectrum utilization.
➢ Streamline bureaucratic processes: e.g. applications for grants, ComReg response times, etc.
➢ Pursue access to ducting and approval for the laying of fibre.
➢ Develop a subsidization plan for each service offering: FTTM, FTTH, FWA, etc.
➢ Create alternative solutions for the NBP tender process.
OUTPUTS
➢ A unified point of public engagement in the form of a trade association with a dedicated representative for
interfacing with government and the media.
➢ A definitive evaluation of the industry’s worth to Ireland as compared to other potential providers of broadband.
➢ The design and advancement of integrated policy positions on service offerings and issues affecting regional ISP’s.
➢ Development of proposals for subsidization options for each type of service activity offered by regional ISP’s.
➢ Effective engagement with key civil society organizations who have a vested interest in rural broadband.
➢ Lobbying and political support by way of meetings with members of the Oireachtas and the Government.
➢ A website to promote the services provided by association members and allow prospective customers to identify
members who cover their area and the services that they can offer.
FORMAT
➢ The association will be an Irish company limited by guarantee that will be governed by a restrictive constitution,
thereby preventing members and officers of the association from profiting personally from the company.
➢ The policy positions promoted by the trade association will be determined through a deliberative caucus of
members and require consensus decision-making in the form of a simple majority to be adopted.
➢ A one-member, one-vote system will preside; with each ISP constituting one member and all votes being equal.
FINANCE
➢ The initiative will utilize an all or nothing funding model; a minimum funding target has been set and if the
association does achieve this target then the funds will be returned, less banking transfer fees, to each contributor.
➢ The membership fee will be based upon each member’s turnover, expressed as a percentage of all membership
fees; thereby ensuring that all member contributions are proportionally equal.
➢ The voting influence of all ISP’s will be equal irrespective of their membership fees; one member (ISP), one vote.
➢ Monthly statements will be provided as to the financial position of the trade association.
CLARIFICATIONS
➢ There are no legal obligations on ISP’s who choose to support the trade association.
➢ ISP’s will not be obliged to renew their support the following year and may withdraw their support at any time.
➢ ISP’s should note that fees cannot be returned if the association has begun implementing its agenda.
➢ ISP’s will not be legally liable for either the activities or undertaking of the association.
➢ ISP’s are not required to divest their equity to support the association; there is no impact to the individual
ownership that current ISP’s enjoy over their companies nor the decision-making processes therein.