Interception of Communications Bill 2006

Welcome to the ZISPA Website

ZISPA (the Zimbabwe Internet Service Providers' Association) is an independent and voluntary association established to represent all the major ISPs in Zimbabwe and deal with matters relating to the provision of Internet access in Zimbabwe.

ZISPA's mission is to provide a non-profit forum in which Internet Service Providers can address issues of common interest and interface with industry stakeholders so that end-users receive world-class service and industry participants earn a fair return on their investments.

ZISPA's Management Committee meets approximately every two months to discuss industry issues and map a way forward to benefit all Zimbabwean Internet users.

Check to see if a CO.ZW domain has already been registered

Current Activities

Current News

    Bandwidth Problems Affecting ISPs

    Monday 4 Sep 2006: Since the end of last month TelOne has been experiencing "challenges" with regards to bandwidth provision. This in particular relates to their Intelsat Satellite Link which is a 17 Mbps outbound carrier (and their largest outbound link). Whilst the link is up, no traffic is being passed. Some traffic is being routed via their South African link but they accept that this is by no means an acceptable resolution as it is limited. TelOne assure ZISPA that they are working on this issue at their highest level and hope to have it resolved by the end of this week (ie Friday 8 Sep 2006).

    Update (15 Sep 2006): TelOne advises that the reason for the satellite link failure is that Intelsat disconnected them in the last week of August due to non-payment of US$700,000.00 and will not reconnect them until this amount is paid. They say that the Reserve Bank has been advised and money has been requested for 2 weeks now - but no joy. ZISPA is therefore lobbying the Reserve Bank in the hope that the forex can be urgently provided. In the meantime, all Internet users in Zimbabwe will experience ongoing difficulties with browsing the Web - access speeds will be reduced and some sites may not be reachable.

    Update (Thursday 28 Sep 2006): TelOne advised that the outstanding amount had been paid to Intelsat on Monday and that the link had been restored. However ZISPA members reported that the situation did not get back to normal until today.

    Interception of Communications Bill 2006

    Parliament is currently considering the above Bill which would enable the Government to intercept and monitor all Internet communications (as well as phone calls and postal articles). This would include e-mail, web browsing, instant messaging and financial transactions amongst others.

    ZISPA is very concerned about this proposed legislation because of the lack of judicial involvement and oversight, the potential loss of privacy in communications, as well as the costs and technical difficulties involved in meeting the requirements of the Bill.

    ZISPA has expressed its concerns over the Bill to Parliament and also encourages individuals and organisations to do likewise, addressing correspondence to their local MP. (more)

Information about ZISPA

    ZISPA office:

    6th Floor, Green Bridge
    Eastgate
    Sam Nujoma Street
    Harare
    Zimbabwe
    Tel: +263-04-700363 / 499 / 579
    Fax: +263-04-700363
    E-mail: admin@zispa.org.zw 


Please send all queries to admin@zispa.org.zw
Site last updated: 8 August 2007