The ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) is the highest governing body of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Held every four years, it sets the ITU’s strategic and financial direction, elects leadership, and adopts resolutions that shape global telecommunications and Internet policy for the next four years.
Internet Society at PP-26
The Internet Society is actively engaged in the lead-up to PP-26 to ensure that outcomes protect the open, globally interoperable Internet, reinforce the multistakeholder model, and do not expand ITU mandate into areas of Internet governance and open Internet standards that function well under the existing multistakeholder ecosystem. This page is our public hub for tracking issues, engagements, and publications throughout the preparatory process.
What We Are Monitoring
PP-26 will address a broad agenda. We are tracking the issues below for their potential impact on the open Internet, the multistakeholder ecosystem, and Internet Society’s core policy priorities.
| Issue Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Connectivity and the digital divide | Governance of LEO satellite constellations, submarine cable resilience, and spectrum policy—where the appropriate regulatory venue and framework remain contested among member states. |
| ITU mandate | Proposals that would extend ITU authority into open Internet standards, DNS administration, or Internet governance processes. |
| Alternative network architectures | Proposals for future or next-generation networks that could displace the open, IP-based Internet with architectures that centralize control or undermine global interoperability. |
| Cost-sharing frameworks | “Sender pays” and other traffic-routing cost-sharing proposals that could fragment the Internet’s interconnection model, raise costs for smaller operators, and harm users in developing countries. |
| Multistakeholder model integrity | Whether WSIS+20 commitments to the multistakeholder model are reflected in PP-26 outcomes, and whether proposals seek to shift Internet governance decisions toward intergovernmental-only bodies. |
| Emerging technology mandates | Resolutions on AI, quantum technologies, and other emerging areas that could embed specific technologies in ITU mandates. |
| International Telecommunication Regulations | Whether proposals to convene a new World Conference on International Telecommunications resurface, potentially reopening the divisive 2012 ITR debate on Internet-related provisions. |
Where We Are Engaging
PP-26 preparations run through ITU’s regional telecommunication organizations (RTOs), where member states develop shared positions before the conference.
| Forum | Region | Timing | Internet Society’s Engagement |
|---|---|---|---|
| African Telecommunications Union (ATU) | Africa | Ongoing | Participating |
| Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) | Asia-Pacific | Ongoing | Participating |
| European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) | Europe | Ongoing | Participating |
| Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) | Americas | Ongoing | Participating |
| PP-26 Conference, Qatar, Doha | Global | 9-27 November 2026 | Delegation; side events; bilateral meetings |
What We Are Producing
We are developing a suite of resources to inform our community, support member engagement, and contribute to well-informed PP-26 outcomes. This table reflects the current publication pipeline.
| Publication | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| PP-26 Background Paper | A comprehensive overview of PP-26’s mandate, key issues, and the Internet Society’s engagement priorities. | In progress; to be published in June/July |
| Issues Matrix | A structured analysis of key proposals by issue area, regional group positions, and our analysis. | To be published in October |