WAPA focused on bridging the gap to true Broadband at iWeek 2012

Cape Town, 12 September 2012 — It’s all wireless today at South Africa’s premier Internet Service Providers' conference, iWeek 2012, Century City, Cape Town The annual major event, organized by Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA), ZA Domain Name Authority (ZADNA), ZA Central Registry (ZACR), South Africa Chapter of the Internet Society (ISOC-ZA) and Wireless Access Providers Association (WAPA) is being hosted at the Crystal Towers Conference Center in Century City. The Conference is a 5 day event. WAPA day, Wednesday, is packed with international and local speakers ready to inform delegates on Wireless, Licence Exempt bands, Broadband, SIP Peering and more. A Wireless Training Workshop which promises to be a fully booked, is also offered. WAPA has experienced much growth in 2012, with members rising to 136, and many projects underway to increase wireless internet presence in South Africa. WAPA Chairman, Christopher Geerdts is eager to deliver his annual report on WAPA’s achievement at the AGM. Mr. Geerdts will also share some news on WAPA’s involvement with major corporations such as Neotel, Broadband Infraco, Tenet/Google, Western Cape Government Broadband Initiative and Telkom Wireless technology has changed much over the years. With a higher demand for broadband, wireless has become to quickest and lowest cost method to provision internet service. WAPA members have reported business growth surpassing 30% year on year. With hundreds of Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) in the country, collectively, the WISPs form South Africa’s largest wireless internet network. WAPA has a strict Code of Conduct which protects the consumer from the infamous ‘Cowboy WISPs’. Consumers should insist on their Wireless Internet Service Provider to have WAPA membership. Hobbyist Wireless User Groups (WUGs) have formed nationwide. The cellular providers have also announced an increase in data usage nationally. The day promises to be filled with industry insight and Corporate, Small/Medium Enterprise or Government representatives are welcome to attend the event, held at the Crystal Towers Hotel near Virgin Active at Ratanga Junction, Century City, at no cost. Registration begins at 8:30 but delegates will be welcome throughout the day-long event. More information of the event can be found on the Conference Website iweek.org.za About WAPA The Wireless Access Providers’ Association (WAPA), established in 2006, is a non-profit IRB (industry representative body) acting as a collective voice for independent wireless operators in South Africa. For information on WAPA, please visit wapa.org.za