A third of the world is still offline. We’re changing that.
The Internet is a necessity of modern life. But two billion people still don’t have reliable, affordable access to it. 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.
Establishing Internet access in overlooked or hard to reach places takes passion and creativity. And it takes resources. We provide people 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.
How We’re Bridging the Digital Divide
We get Internet access to those who need it most.
Connecting the Unconnected
Skills, infrastructure, and regulation all play a key role in Internet access. We get people online by working across all three of these areas.
Measuring the Internet
We collect Internet data and analyze global trends to help journalists, policymakers, civil society organizations, and everyone in between understand the Internet’s availability and resilience.
Sustainable Peering Infrastructure
Peering lowers costs and improves network performance and resilience by using Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) to replace expensive, international links with local traffic.
Communities We Connected
After Nearly a Decade, Bolivia’s IXP Gets a Boost
Our Bolivia Chapter took on the role of trust building and maintenance to help get an existing, underutilized Internet exchange point off the group.
As a result, Internet access and resilience have improved dramatically in the region.
Narrowing the Digital Divide in Rwanda
Teachers in a Rwandan village had to travel long distances for Internet access until our Rwanda Chapter built an Internet access center for the community.
Internet access centers around Rwanda’s Bugesera district have connected thousands of teachers, students, and community members.
Bringing the Internet to Extreme Heights in Nepal
We helped build the highest community network in the world, which is creating new opportunities in the Nepalese villages of Khunde and Khumjung.
We also returned to train locals in computer and fiber networking so they can manage and troubleshoot the network.
Connecting the Indigenous Women of the South American Chaco
The Gran Chaco region is home to several Indigenous peoples, many of which are cut off from the opportunities the Internet brings.
The NANUM Mujeres Conectadas project has connected thousands of people in remote communities, including nearly 20 Nivaclé communities in Paraguay.
After Nearly a Decade, Bolivia’s IXP Gets a Boost
Our Bolivia Chapter took on the role of trust building and maintenance to help get an existing, underutilized Internet exchange point off the group.
As a result, Internet access and resilience have improved dramatically in the region.
Narrowing the Digital Divide in Rwanda
Teachers in a Rwandan village had to travel long distances for Internet access until our Rwanda Chapter built an Internet access center for the community.
Internet access centers around Rwanda’s Bugesera district have connected thousands of teachers, students, and community members.
Image copyright:
© Chris Gregory, ©Victor Ndonnang/Internet Society, © Nyani Quarmyne, © Gustavo Castellanos Echazú, © Carlos Sanabria, © Nyani Quarmyne