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.

A person capturing a photograph of a picturesque village

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.

Ruth Njeri

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.

Latest Updates

Latest Updates

Learning to Build and Use the Internet in Rhino Refugee Camp

Connectivity in Uganda’s Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement is unreliable and expensive, limiting access to education, healthcare, and employment.We partnered with …

Moving the Needle on Universal and Meaningful Access 

The latest International Telecommunication Union connectivity statistics remind us how much progress we’ve made and how far we still have …

Policy Brief: Licensing Approaches for Community-Centered Connectivity

Discover how community-centered connectivity solutions empower underserved areas. Explore updated licensing options and principles for meaningful connectivity today …

A Once-Overlooked Tool: How Community Networks Connected Haiti and the World 

Community networks connect us to opportunities across borders and across the globe. Their journey to mainstream discussion has not always …

Internet Society Pulse Research Week

This December, Internet Society and its partners will be holding four days of Internet measurement research discussions and training, highlighting …

Policy Brief: Internet Shutdowns

This policy brief urges policymakers to adopt policies that eliminate shutdowns as a tool and to analyze and weigh the …

World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25)

Creating the conditions to expand Internet access requires decisive action from governments. How can they help close the global digital …

ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25) Background Paper

This background paper is intended to provide the Internet Society community and interested parties with a general overview of the …

Policy Brief: Spectrum Policy

We need deliberate policy and regulatory measures to ensure spectrum availability for community-centered initiatives …

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