{"id":229253,"date":"2025-12-05T09:25:58","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T09:25:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.internetsociety.org\/?page_id=229253"},"modified":"2025-12-18T17:09:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T17:09:40","slug":"connectivity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.internetsociety.org\/our-work\/connectivity\/","title":{"rendered":"Connectivity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>
\n
<\/div>\n

Connectivity<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>
\n
<\/div>\n

A quarter of the world is still offline. We\u2019re changing that.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A quarter of the world is still offline. We\u2019re changing that.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

There are over 2 billion people without access to the Internet. Many more are connected, but not to affordable and reliable services. That\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>
\n
<\/div>\n

Connectivity<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A quarter of the world is still offline. We\u2019re changing that.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

There are about 2 billion people without access to the Internet. Many more are connected, but not to affordable and reliable services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>
\n
<\/div>\n

Key Connectivity Links<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Key Connectivity Resources<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>
\n
<\/div>\n
\"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>

Community-Centered Connectivity<\/h3><\/div>

Skills, financing, infrastructure, partnerships, and regulation all play a key role in Internet access. <\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n
\"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>

Sustainable Peering Infrastructure<\/h3><\/div>

Peering makes connectivity cheaper, better, and more reliable by using Internet Exchange Points (IXPs).<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n
\"two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>

Standards that Help Grow the Internet<\/h3><\/div>

We promote standards, such as IPv6 and Open Fiber Data Standards, to make the Internet more reliable for everyone.<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>
\n
<\/div>\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>

Internet Shutdowns<\/h3><\/div>

Internet shutdowns are intentional disruptions of Internet connectivity, cutting access or making it effectively unavailable for a specific population, location, or mode of access.<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n
\"Ruth<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>

Internet Resilience<\/h3><\/div>

A resilient Internet connection is one that can maintain an acceptable level of service in the face of faults and challenges to normal operation. <\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n
\"Three<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>

Policy and Advocacy<\/h3><\/div>

We engage with policymakers to create an enabling environment for community-centered connectivity solutions.<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>
\n
<\/div>\n

Making the Internet More Reliable in Panama<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Making the Internet More Reliable in Panama<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Watch this story<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n
\n