Internet Society - Public Policy - FAQ regarding Access

ISOC's Public Policy Activities Principles Strategic Global Engagement Community and Partners Key Issues Internet Governance User Centric Internet Internet Events Calendar Worth a Read Advisory Groups Help Support Public Policy Activities

Topics

Access Capacity Building Domain Name System Innovation Intellectual Property IP Addressing Multilingualism Privacy Security Spam Standardization

Key Issues

Access

Access to the Internet is a fundamental public policy issue with several facets. In a physical sense, access to infrastructure and equipment depends on the availability of computers, modems, telephone lines and network hardware. From a usability perspective, access depends on making the physical devices and online services useful to everyone, including persons with disabilities. Access also has an economic facet, as the cost of infrastructure, equipment, and services can determine the level of access available to regions, communities, and individuals.

ISOC believes that the Internet is for everyone and can help improve the quality of life of people everywhere. Therefore, ISOC promotes policies that sustain an open and universally accessible platform for innovation, creativity, and economic opportunity.

Concepts and questions

Inter-carrier interconnection arrangements

A number of concerns have been raised about the cost of international circuits for developing countries. Study Group 3 of the ITU is addressing the issue of the international settlement regime, with input from business and governments, as are the OECD, the WTO and other organizations. For a contrasting view, refer to the ISP Column.

Local actions can reduce costs of international interconnection

Commentators agree that promoting a competitive communications environment, developing local content, encouraging Internet usage, and establishing Internet Exchange Points, are some of the measures that can be taken to enable the Internet to flourish in developing countries:

On the importance of Internet Exchange Points (PDF: 170KB)
Creating National and Regional Internet Exchange Points (PDF: 601KB) in Africa

Remote and rural communities

The Dynamic Coalition (DC) on Access and Connectivity for Rural, Remote and Dispersed Communities (PDF: 50KB) was set up as an outcome of IGF Athens 2006 to consider the access and connectivity issues and challenges facing remote, rural and dispersed communities around the world. See also the Pacific Internet Technology Centre.