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

The Internet Exchange Point Toolkit & Best Practices Guide

The benefits of maximising local traffic via independent Internet exchange points (IXPs) is well-recognised as essential for facilitating a robust …

We Need Your Feedback: IXP Toolkit And Best Practices Guide

Imagine a world where everyone can access and develop a connected, borderless, permission-less, limitless Internet that creates opportunity and progress …

The African Union Commission Selects the Internet Society for the Regional Internet Exchange Points and Regional Internet Carrier Workshops of the African Internet Exchange System (AXIS) Project

Capacity building workshops to support the establishment of national and regional Internet Exchange Points The Internet Society today announced that …

Connectivity in Latin America and the Caribbean: The Role of Internet Exchange Points

This report takes stock of the development of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in Latin America and the Caribbean, documenting best …

Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum Day Two

Theme: Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Promoting National and Regional Interconnection The Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum kicked off the …

Five Questions for Michuki Mwangi

In 2010, the Internet Society, held the first Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF) in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting was …

Average price per GB of traffic in Sub-Saharan Africa for Internet access

Average price per GB of traffic in Sub-Saharan Africa for Internet access bundles Lower prices for Internet access are Important …

Fourth Annual African Peering and Interconnection Forum to Focus on Policy Aspects of IXPs, Content, and Cross-Border Interconnections in Africa

Internet Society to host AfPIF 2013 in Casablanca, Morocco, 3 – 5 September AfPIF 2013 accorded High Patronage by the …

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