Connectivity

A quarter of the world is still offline. We’re changing that.

A quarter of the world is still offline. We’re changing that.

There are over 2 billion people without access to the Internet. Many more are connected, but not to affordable and reliable services. That’s why our global community is working to close the digital divide and make sure that no matter where people live, they can enjoy all the benefits the Internet has to offer.

The communities most affected by the digital divide are also among the most marginalized. Women, Indigenous Peoples, and displaced populations often face unique barriers to connectivity. Changing this takes passion and creativity. And it takes resources.

We push this change in three ways: we pool resources from partners to fund people building solutions to close the digital divide. We provide people with the expertise and technical components they need to establish resilient, affordable Internet access. And, together, we advocate for policies that help grow the Internet and create a safe online environment for all.

Connectivity

A quarter of the world is still offline. We’re changing that.

A boat moves down the center of the Chagres River

There are about 2 billion people without access to the Internet. Many more are connected, but not to affordable and reliable services.

That’s why our global community is working to close the digital divide and make sure that no matter where people live, they can enjoy all the benefits the Internet has to offer.

The communities most affected by the digital divide are also among the most marginalized. Women, Indigenous Peoples, and displaced populations often face unique barriers to connectivity. Changing this takes passion and creativity. And it takes resources.

We push this change in three ways: we pool resources from partners to fund people building solutions to close the digital divide. We provide people with the expertise and technical components they need to establish resilient, affordable Internet access. And, together, we advocate for policies that help grow the Internet and create a safe online environment for all.

Key Connectivity Links

Key Connectivity Resources

Two men standing on a rooftop, gazing intently at an unseen object

Community-Centered Connectivity

Skills, financing, infrastructure, partnerships, and regulation all play a key role in Internet access.

Two men speaking with each other at a peering event

Sustainable Peering Infrastructure

Peering makes connectivity cheaper, better, and more reliable by using Internet Exchange Points (IXPs).

two men climbing on an antenna

Standards that Help Grow the Internet

We promote standards, such as IPv6 and Open Fiber Data Standards, to make the Internet more reliable for everyone.

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Internet Shutdowns

Internet shutdowns are intentional disruptions of Internet connectivity, cutting access or making it effectively unavailable for a specific population, location, or mode of access.

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Internet Resilience

A resilient Internet connection is one that can maintain an acceptable level of service in the face of faults and challenges to normal operation.

Three people standing in a circle having a conversation during the Internet Development Conference

Policy and Advocacy

We engage with policymakers to create an enabling environment for community-centered connectivity solutions.

Making the Internet More Reliable in Panama

Making the Internet More Reliable in Panama

If you send a WhatsApp message to your friend in a neighboring town, why should the data have to travel to another country first just to ultimately reach someone close to you? In Panama, peering keeps data local, improving Internet speed, cost, and reliability.

Watch this story

Latest Updates

Latest Updates

Three women sit on the grass outside
Blog

Community-Centered Connectivity Initiatives Earn Viddy Awards Recognition

We are proud to share that four videos highlighting community-centered connectivity initiatives have won Viddy Awards this year …
A gray ethernet cable on a gray background
Blog

Zombie IXPs: The Four Types of Exchanges That Refuse to Die, but Fail to Live

Zombie IXPs are operating on autopilot, with little planning, investment, or new peers. But they don’t all look the same, and can emerge from different governance models and challenges …
Two men in yellow vests mount a network antenna on a roof.
Blog

The Shift in Peering Threatening the Internet’s Foundations

As more Internet service providers become virtual peering partners, they begin neglecting Internet exchange points …
People stand outdoors celebrating the completion of the Internet hub in the Siripi zone, waving at the camera.
Blog

From Email to Case Study: What We Learned About Connecting Refugee Communities in Just One Year 

In Uganda’s Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, we worked with local partners to train refugees and members of the surrounding community …
Community-Centered Connectivity in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, Uganda
Resources

Community-Centered Connectivity in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, Uganda

Internet Society and partners empower Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement in Uganda with community‑owned connectivity, digital skills, and sustainable inclusion …
A man sets up Internet infrastructure outside
Blog

Local Infrastructure, Lower Costs: How Peering Is Moving the Needle on Internet Affordability

Local infrastructure impacts Internet affordability for users: if the cost is lower and speed and reliability are higher, providers can …
Diagram showing a decentralized peering ecosystem centered around a local Internet Exchange Point (IXP). Five networks and two hyperscalers connect to the IXP through open peering relationships, allowing traffic exchange through a shared neutral interconnection point. Two direct peering relationships are also shown: one between Network 1 and Network 2, and another between Network 4 and Hyperscaler B. The illustration emphasizes a distributed Internet architecture where networks can interconnect locally through multiple paths, improving resilience, redundancy, and local traffic exchange.
Resources

The Peering Disconnect

This report examines the risks of centralized and virtual peering, showing how monopolies and outages threaten resilience, and why local …
AHERINet’s Kenneth Ombette, Core Network Engineer, and Victoria Oduor, CEO, beside AHERINet network equipment at the K-City shopping complex in Kisumu, Kenya, which houses a number of SMEs. AHERINet, a community network that aims to provide unserved and underserved residents and SMEs in Kisumu and the surrounding area with affordable internet connectivity, has installed a hotspot in the complex to enable vendors to conduct business online.
Blog

From Coverage to Meaningful Connectivity: How Kenya Is Leading Africa’s Internet Future 

In Africa, where the connectivity discussion has traditionally focused on coverage, there’s a recent shift toward making access growth meaningful. Kenya …
Four people stand together at a workshop
Blog

Digital Inclusion and Indigenous Connectivity

The community-centered connectivity model can help advance connectivity efforts in Indigenous communities across the US and beyond …

Image copyright:
© Internet Society, © Chris Gregory, © Victor Ndonnang/Internet Society, © Nyani Quarmyne, © Ed Mukoma/Internet Society Foundation, © Flawless Events