IGF21 | Open Forum #67 Access to the Open Internet

IGF 2021 Open Forum #67 Access to the Open Internet: benefits, challenges and policy approaches

IGF 2021 MAIN FOCUS: Universal access and meaningful connectivity

Practical locally-driven policy solutions: What lessons can be drawn (and how) from successful policy solutions to universal access and meaningful connectivity around the world, while taking into account local specificities and needs? In particular, what are the relevant practices implemented by local actors (local government, civil society, local providers and entrepreneurs) to advance universal and meaningful access?

Key questions

Access to the Open Internet, not only telecom connectivity, is a key challenge to ensure meaningful connectivity and bridge the digital divide. Why does access to the Open Internet matter, what are the challenges operators, governments, and end-users face in rolling out and accessing the Open Internet, and how to overcome them? What infrastructures and technologies do we need to boost access to the Open Internet? What are the policy approaches and digital cooperation mechanisms to promote the Open Internet globally?

Overview of the issue

Allowing access to the Open Internet and the vast array of online services and information it provides should be a central, inherent component in the global efforts to provide meaningful connectivity to all and bridge the digital divide. The Open Internet is a key driver for innovation, socio-political, economic, and cultural development. It enables people in multiple ways: knowledge- and ideas- sharing, skills development, research and innovation, entrepreneurship, expression of opinions, interaction with governments, participation in societal and political debates, etc. Trustworthy data flows based on the Open Internet empower small and medium-sized enterprises to enter value chains, develop new services, contributing to job and GDP growth. In particular, ensuring full access to the Open Internet is a real opportunity for developing countries to deliver the above benefits to their citizens in a cost-efficient manner while protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms online.

Open Internet deployment faces a number of challenges that might impede fully harvesting the benefits above such as a weaker development of the local Internet ecosystem, lower connection speeds and service quality, limited national and international connectivity, but also government control – including possible internet shutdowns, loss of privacy and security, etc. Connectivity policies should then cover the deployment and upgrade of key internet technologies, standards (e.g. IPv6 for future-proof IP connectivity; QUIC for enhanced data transport, etc.) and infrastructures (e.g. international connectivity, Internet Exchange Points, data centers), and provide regulatory support towards building dynamic, trustful and democratic local Internet ecosystems that can guarantee secure and stable access to the Open Internet. The forum will take stock of current initiatives to develop access to the Open Internet and reflect how effective partnerships between governments, industry, and civil society can help developing countries develop Open Internet connectivity for the benefit of all their citizens.

Approach

The sessions will be organised around several interventions from various stakeholders from the public and private sector and from civil society, from different geographic regions including developing countries and countries providing foreign aid in the digital sector. It will give ample space for interaction with the participants, in order to provide a broad perspective on the issue and stimulate the discussion. It will aim to explore the above-mentioned challenges and trigger reflection and constructive approach on how to improve access to the Open Internet as a means for digital development and safe, prosper and inclusive digital societies.

1. How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for the online and on-site participants? The sessions will be organised in a way that allows interventions both online (chat and Q&A pods) and on-site. The answers would be provided to the full (online and onsite) audience attending the session. We are also in the process of contacting our internal experts to shape the session in the most valuable way. The EC has vast experience in organising online, on-site and hybrid meetings.
2. If the speakers and organizers will all be online, how will you ensure interactions between them and the participants (including with on-site participants)? Given that the session would be hybrid, there will be at least 1 or 2 panelists/speakers present on-site. In addition, the approach shaped under 1) would take into consideration this question should COVID-related difficulties persist.
3. Are you planning to use complementary tools/platforms to increase participation and interaction during the session? The EC will reach out to all its networks and Delegations around the world to promote the session and ensure high-level participation. We have access to and can implement complementary communication tools as appropriate.

Organizers

European Commission

Speakers

• Mr. Yoichi IIDA, Deputy Director-General for G7 and G20 Relations, Global Strategy Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan
• Mr. Esteve SANZ, Head of Sector Internet Governance and Multi-stakeholder Dialogue, European Commission
• Ms. Mame Maty TALL, Representative of Sonatel
• Dr. Raquel GATTO, IGF Secretariat Consultant, Policy Network on Meaningful Access Facilitator

Onsite Moderator

Dr. Tereza HOREJSOVA, Director Project and Partnerships, Diplo/Geneva Internet Platform

Online Moderator

Laura Ferre Sanjuan, European Commission

Rapporteur

Velimira Nemiguentcheva-Grau, European Commission