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

Internet Society Board of Trustees Expresses Concern about the Potential Impact of the World Conference on International Telecommunications on the Internet

The Internet Society Board of Trustees, during its recent meeting in Vancouver, Canada, discussed the upcoming World Conference on International …

African Union(AU) Selects the Internet Society to Support Establishment of Internet Exchange Points across Africa

Project includes 60 capacity building workshops in 30 countries [Johannesburg, South Africa –23 August 2012] – The Internet Society today …

Internet Society’s African Peering and Interconnection Forum Provides Opportunities for Regional Internet Growth

AfPIF-3 Highlights Regional Interconnection – Addressing Africa’s Internet Transit Deficit [Washington, D.C. and Geneva, Switzerland] – The third African Peering …

Uganda IXP Completes Major Upgrade

The Uganda Internet exchange point (UIXP) has completed a major upgrade that has seen its network transform from the traditional …

New Study Reveals How Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) Spur Internet Growth in Emerging Markets

Internet Society report demonstrates the significant cost and performance gains in Kenya and Nigeria with IXP development [Washington, D.C. USA …

Assessment of the impact of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) – empirical study of Kenya and Nigeria

This study quantifies for the first time how IXPs enable Kenya and Nigeria to save millions in telecommunications costs and raise additional …

Armenian Internet Exchange Project

Starting up the Armenian Internet Exchange project Armenian Internet Traffic Exchange “Armix” Foundation in collaboration with Web LLC, Internet Society …

Africa’s Peering and Interconnection Forum Commits To Further Improve Infrastructure

  Africa’s leading Internet experts have pledged to improve connectivity and interconnection in the region and attract African and international …

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