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

A Village in Kyrgyzstan Is Using the Internet to Fight for Their Rights 

Zardaly Community Network The Zardaly community network connects over 500 households in Batken, the most remote province of Kyrgyzstan. The …

2024 East Africa Submarine Cable Outage Report

Discover the impact of the submarine cable cuts on local connectivity in East Africa and the importance of resilience in …

Return to Everest: Happily Connected Sherpas

We returned to the villages of Khunde and Khumjung to provide technical training so residents can manage and troubleshoot their …

Seminar Series on Internet Shutdowns for Journalists

The journalist seminars on Internet shutdowns will provide data and context on the impact, technology, and players behind Internet shutdowns …

Expanding Economic Opportunities in the Paraguayan Chaco

Boquerón Community Network Part of the NANUM initiative to connect Indigenous women in the Chaco. The Fa’ay Lhavoquey—the Women Carob …

West Africa Peering Forum (WAPF) 2024

Join us at West Africa Peering Forum 2024 on 26-27 June and learn about issues related to Internet interconnection and …

Central Africa Peering Forum 2024

The forum featured experts in the Internet ecosystem in the Central African subregion and beyond. The speakers’ intervention will focus …

The Importance of Strong Technical Communities and Partnerships in Africa

The recent outage in West Africa caused by submarine cable damage could have been a lot worse. A strong community …

The Internet and Climate Change

As we celebrate Earth Day 2024, the world seems to be on fire. Quite literally with some regions battling extreme …

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