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.

A woman stands in front of a tall red tower

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

From Cyber Café to Digital Revolution: The Story of Joseph Bishi and Murambinda’s Community Network

Joseph Bishi started with a small cyber café in Murambinda in 2003. He grew his vision into transformative community network …

APRICOT 2025

Representing Asia Pacific’s largest international Internet conference, Asia Pacific Regional Internet Conference on Operational Technologies (APRICOT) draws many of the …

Connection for a Cause: One Woman’s Journey of Digital Empowerment 

Growing up in a small village in Murang’a County, Kenya, Ruth Njeri had nearly no access to the digital world …

Ethiopia Peering Day

The Internet Society and the Internet Society Ethiopia Chapter organized the Ethiopia Peering Day on Friday, 24 January 2025, at …

African Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF) 2025

The African IXP Association (AFIX), with the support of the Internet Society (ISOC) and hosted by Internet Exchange Point of …

No Power = No 1s and 0s. Internet Resilience Requires Electrical Resilience

In the last three months, Ecuador, Kenya, Senegal, and Venezuela have all experienced nationwide power outages related to infrastructure, all …

Girls in Rural Pakistan Are Tackling Inequality Using the Internet

WALI Community Network WALI community network serves nearly 400 children and youth from Ahmed Abad village of the Lasbela district …

Internet Exchange Points in Argentina: Network Infrastructure Improves the Balance of Trade

Internet Exchange Points (IXPS) have become vital assets in Argentina, where they ensure that data travels seamlessly, efficiently, and at …

The Building of Human Resilience is the Power of AfPIF

On 21 August 2024, Internet Society President and CEO Sally Wentworth spoke in the welcoming session of the 2024 Africa …

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