A Democratic Cooperative Organisation

INCA is registered as an Industrial & Provident Society under cooperative rules promoted by Co-operatives UK and as such is regulated by the Financial Services Authority. INCA is a democratic organisation, each full member having one vote at General Meetings regardless of their contribution to share capital.

Full members

Full membership of INCA falls into one of the following categories:

Networks: organisations that are building or operating eligible networks and have a responsibility for the future of those networks. 

Aspirant networks: organisations planning to build networks that will become eligible networks.

An eligible network is independent of the incumbent network operators and either:

  • Fully open, offering wholesale access to service providers that wish to offer end users a complete bundle of services;
  • Less open but owned by the community it serves.

Eligible networks include open (or mutually-owned) backhaul as well as “first mile” networks.

Full members pay membership fees entitling them to a vote at General Meetings of the Association and to elect the board of INCA.

Example eligible networks:

  • A local FTTP network built with private or public sector investment offering wholesale access to service providers.
  • A local FTTH network owned by the local community and offering its own ISP, TV and telephone services.
  • A backhaul network co-owned by networks that use it Full members have a vote and pay membership fees.

Supporting members

Supporting members are organisations that support and contribute to the aims of INCA but which are not networks themselves. Examples include: Equipment suppliers Network constructors Public sector bodies encouraging the development of networks Supporting members do not have a vote at General Meetings, nor elect the board, but otherwise play a full part in the deliberations of the association. Supporting members pay a membership fee.

Membership Fees

INCA’s membership will sustain the organisation into the future. Like many regional and local projects INCA is at an early stage and the initial fee levels have been set to reflect this fact. During INCA’s initial phase a simple flat fee will be applied for both full members and supporting members, with an option for the board to agree a special lower fee to take account of special circumstances.

The INCA Board will review the fee structure and levels on an annual basis.

Membership CategoryAnnual Fee
Full member£500 plus VAT (£600 in total)
Supporting member£500 plus VAT (£600 in total)

Contribution to Share Capital

INCA is structured as a co-operative association that aims to develop services of benefit to its members in addition to its representational activities. By making contribution to the share capital of INCA members can invest directly in the development of services. Members are encouraged to contribute an equivalent of the membership fee to INCA’s share capital.

Share capital in a co-operative attracts interest at a rate decided by the board and can be withdrawn according to conditions specified by the board.

If your organisation is eligible you can apply for membership now:

Voluntary & Community Sector Special Interest Group

In recognition of the fact that many early stage projects are often developed on a purely voluntary basis with limited resources the INCA board has supported the creation of a Special Interest Group (SIG) to facilitate engagement with voluntary and community projects. Eligibility criteria and fees (if any) for membership of the Special Interest Group will be determined in consultation with voluntary and community projects.

To keep up to date with news about the Voluntary & Community Sector Special Interest Group please sign up to the SIG mailing list.