FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 26, 1999

CONTACT:

Craig Jelinek, jelinek@isoc.org, 408-395-3858
Susan Webb,swebb@edelman.com, 202-326-1707


INET'99 PLACES EMERGING MARKET ISSUES ON THE GLOBAL INTERNET AGENDA


Internet Society Warns that the Internet Can Increase the Economic and Information Gaps As Easily As Close Them

RESTON, Va- In keeping with its mission to extend market opportunities and the economic benefits of the Internet to developing countries, the Internet Society is holding a day-long symposium to assess the progress in connectivity and address key issues that will impact the growth of the Internet in developing countries. "The Internet can be the instrument that closes the economic and information gaps between developed and developing countries or it can widen them if universal access isn't achieved, " said Don Heath, president and CEO of the Internet Society. "What is needed is a talent pool of IT workers, healthy investment, and a supportive political environment."

Practical solutions for furthering the implementation of the Internet will be the focus of the Developing Countries Networking Symposium, which will be hosted on Monday, June 21, as part of the INET'99 conference in San Jose, California. The Symposium will reflect on the pressing issues through the case studies, lessons and results, of several international connectivity projects.

Many developing countries with emerging technology, for example, are for the first time dealing with issues of cost sharing and tariffs in international connectivity, negotiating geographic representation to emerging institutions such as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and coordinating with international development agencies, among others.

Additionally, while the Internet in developing countries is still used primarily for exchange of information, ecommerce is on the rise. Companies interested in emerging markets and challenges in those markets will gain insight into how quickly markets will open, as well as potential restrictions, from participation in the symposium.

"The Symposium will bring to life the significant role the Internet plays as an economic and cultural development tool for developing countries, while delivering practical measures for taking advantage of the market opportunities," said Dr. Nii Quaynor, developing countries networking symposium co-chair for INET'99. "A significant benefit that both the Symposium and INET'99 also provides is the opportunity for individuals from developing countries to meet face-to-face with others who share similar challenges and to build working relationships that last beyond the conference."

"The Internet Society is committed to creating global opportunities with the advancement of Internet technology," said Heath. "By raising the global visibility on issues impacting growth in developing countries, we hope to encourage investment of counsel, networking talent and financial resources that culminate in the expansion of the Internet into developing countries. We've seen much progress in the nine years we've been hosting the INET conference."

The Internet Society's Network Training Workshop also is directly helping develop the IT talent needed to expand growth of the Internet in developing countries. Held June 13 - 20 prior to the INET'99 conference, the workshop provides intensive training for networking professionals from countries that have recently connected or want to connect to the Internet.


About INET'99

INET is the premier event of the Internet industry and provides an international forum for advancing the development and implementation of the Internet networks, technologies, applications and policies around t he globe. Established and organized by the Internet Society, INET brings together world leaders and pioneers of cyberspace, information technology professionals, business executives, educators, and government officials to exchange experiences and shape the future of the Internet.

INET'99, which will be held June 22-25 in San Jose, California, is expected to attract 3,000 attendees from more than 100 countries to address issues emanating from the Internet's impact on commerce and finance, education, technologies and societies throughout the world. INET'99 will also include presentations of more than 100 research papers, technical reports and case studies.

Information on the INET'99, including detailed information on registration and program tracks, is available on the Internet at www.isoc.org/inet99.


About The Internet Society

The Internet Society is the international organization for global coordination and cooperation for the Internet. The Internet Society was established in 1992 in response to a recognized worldwide need for a non-governmental, international organization to help support global expansion, standardization and change of the Internet. Today, the Internet Society assists the needs of the growing worldwide Internet Community in many ways: through its annual INET conference; other sponsored events, tutorials, statistical and market research; advocacy programs; network training workshops for emerging countries; and with publications like its award-winning bimonthly magazine OnTheInternet. The Internet Engineering Task Force, the Internet standards body, conducts its work under the auspices of the Internet Society. The Internet Society is comprised of members from more than 150 countries.