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Internet Society @internetsociety

We’re a global charity working with our passionate community to connect the unconnected and advocate for a trusted Internet. Because the #InternetIsForEveryone.

Joined February 2009
  • Tweets 17,246
  • Following 2,329
  • Followers 68,511
3,970 Photos and videos
Our Internet Society community—from staff to alumni to board members and beyond—stayed busy at #ICANN86 this past week in Seville, Spain!🇪🇸 We’re always excited to have an opportunity to come together, deepen our connection with the Internet technical community, and engage with stakeholders across spheres. Thanks to everyone who chatted with us!🙂
A group of people sit together at a table.

ALT A group of people sit together at a table.

Two men stand together and smile

ALT Two men stand together and smile

people sit around a table and watch a virtual presentation

ALT people sit around a table and watch a virtual presentation

A large group of people stand outside and socialize

ALT A large group of people stand outside and socialize
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We are proud to share that four videos highlighting the incredible work of our global community have won Viddy Awards this year! 👏    The @ViddyAwards are an international competition that recognizes excellence in video creation, production, and delivery. Our videos celebrate efforts to connect the unconnected, harness the Internet as a force for good, and change lives for the better.    Congratulations to everyone involved in these initiatives. Watch all of the award-winning videos ⬇️ internetsociety.org/blog/202…

Community-Centered Connectivity Initiatives Earn Viddy Awards Recognition - Internet Society

We are proud to share that four videos highlighting community-centered connectivity initiatives have won Viddy Awards this year.

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An Internet exchange point (IXP) can only be truly successful if it is sustainable, actively managed, and continuously evolving. In other words, if it’s not a zombie. Zombie IXPs run on autopilot, with little planning, investment, or new peers. But they don’t all look the same, and can emerge from different governance models and challenges. Hear from Russell Bean, our IXP development expert, on some of the most common types of zombie IXPs, their symptoms, and how to treat them ⬇️ internetsociety.org/blog/202…

Zombie IXPs: The Four Types of Exchanges That Refuse to Die, but Fail to Live - Internet Society

Zombie IXPs are operating on autopilot, with little planning, investment, or new peers. But they don’t all look the same.

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Internet Society retweeted
Internet Society Pulse@isoc_pulse
Jun 5
A Circular Letter issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs in September 2024 has led to a 11% increase in #IPv6 adoption in the world's 4th-most populous country, from 15% to 26% pulse.internetsociety.org/en… #IPv6week2026
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Many content providers are moving away from working with local Internet exchange points (IXPs) and are instead making agreements with larger Internet service providers, which become virtual peering partners. This shift towards virtual peering erodes local infrastructure, creates international dependencies, reduces Internet resilience, and encourages monopolies. Learn more ⬇️ internetsociety.org/blog/202…

The Shift in Peering Threatening the Internet’s Foundations - Internet Society

As more Internet service providers become virtual peering partners, they begin neglecting Internet exchange points.

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Internet Society retweeted
Internet Society Foundation@ISOC_Foundation
Jun 1
🔐 Cybersecurity is a public good, but who protects the protectors? 🛜 Every day, journalists, human rights defenders, NGOs, and activists face sophisticated digital attacks.
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Many of us in the Internet community are mourning the loss of Alan Barrett. For more than three decades, Alan played a foundational role in shaping the Internet in Africa and beyond. He helped establish the first connection to universities in South Africa, co-founded the country’s first commercial Internet service provider, became one of the key architects behind AFRINIC, and participated in various groups, councils, and boards. But beyond the titles and accomplishments, many will remember Alan for the thoughtful, reliable, and dedicated person he was. Rest in peace. internetsociety.org/blog/202…

Remembering Alan Barrett: A Builder of the African Internet - Internet Society

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Alan Barrett, a friend, colleague, mentor, and one of the builders of the Internet in Africa.

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Community-centered connectivity is one of the most effective approaches for bringing the world’s hardest-to-connect areas online. Uganda’s Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement has put this model to practice, with two fully operational, community-owned digital hubs now serving 4,500 people in a region with limited grid power, high connectivity costs, and uneven digital access. Read more: internetsociety.org/blog/202…
A purple arrow with an email icon and a partners icon. Text explains that partnership has helped connect thousands in Uganda's Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement.

ALT A purple arrow with an email icon and a partners icon. Text explains that partnership has helped connect thousands in Uganda's Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement.

A man in an orange vest. Text explains why community-centered connectivity is an effective connectivity model.

ALT A man in an orange vest. Text explains why community-centered connectivity is an effective connectivity model.

Community members help lay connectivity infrastructure. Text explains that partner organizations have helped train refugees and community members to build and operate their own networks.

ALT Community members help lay connectivity infrastructure. Text explains that partner organizations have helped train refugees and community members to build and operate their own networks.

A group of people stands together, smiling. Text explains that we share this case study so others can adapt this model.

ALT A group of people stands together, smiling. Text explains that we share this case study so others can adapt this model.

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When Internet exchange points (#IXPs) keep traffic local, costs fall while speed and reliability increase. In 40 out of 50 countries we analyzed, the share of income needed to afford basic mobile broadband fell by more than 10% after receiving a grant from the @ISOC_Foundation for IXP development or local peering ecosystem support. In several countries, the improvement is far larger—well above 50%—suggesting substantial shifts in affordability over time. Read more ⬇️ internetsociety.org/blog/202…

Local Infrastructure, Lower Costs: How Peering Is Moving the Needle on Internet Affordability -...

Local infrastructure impacts Internet affordability: if cost is lower and speed and reliability are higher, providers can offer lower prices.

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Whether by design or by accident, Internet policies can make it harder for people to connect or have a safe online experience. These policies put the Internet’s core principles—openness, decentralization, and interoperability—at risk. Our community helps combat threats to the Internet by advocating for favorable Internet policies at local, regional, and international levels.
A photo of people smiling and waving on a staircase. Title reads: Putting people at the heart of Internet policy and regulations in 2025.

ALT A photo of people smiling and waving on a staircase. Title reads: Putting people at the heart of Internet policy and regulations in 2025.

A photo of four people sitting together. A map shows where the Internet Society has funded Internet Governance Forums and Schools of Internet Governance. Text highlights advocacy and funding wins.

ALT A photo of four people sitting together. A map shows where the Internet Society has funded Internet Governance Forums and Schools of Internet Governance. Text highlights advocacy and funding wins.

Seven people stand together outside in front of a piece of connectivity infrastructure. Text highlights the difference advocacy can make and what our community is doing.

ALT Seven people stand together outside in front of a piece of connectivity infrastructure. Text highlights the difference advocacy can make and what our community is doing.

Three girls smile and sit together. Text highlights the role our community played in securing reaffirmation of the multistakeholder model by the UN.

ALT Three girls smile and sit together. Text highlights the role our community played in securing reaffirmation of the multistakeholder model by the UN.

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Internet Society retweeted
Coalition on Digital Impact (CODI)@CODI_global
May 20
Happy 1 year of CODI! 🎉 In just one year, we’ve helped elevate critical conversations around digital equity and multilingualism online with the help of our members, partners, and advocates. Check out more about CODI’s first year: codi.global/newsroom/buildin… #internet4all #CODI
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There is no clear global consensus on how to report fiber data, and we need one. It would make it easier to plan and implement infrastructure, ultimately bringing more people online. That’s why we’re supporting the Open Fibre Data Standard (OFDS), which describes what data to publish about fiber optic networks and how to structure and format that data, using a set of common concepts and definitions. Read more about the OFDS, why standards matter, multistakeholder governance, and more ⬇️ internetsociety.org/blog/202…

An Open Fiber Data Standard to Make the Internet for Everyone - Internet Society

The Open Fibre Data Standard is an initiative to develop and implement a common language for describing terrestrial fiber networks.

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Internet Society retweeted
Internet Society Foundation@ISOC_Foundation
May 19
❗Last week to apply! 👉 Applications for the 2026 Research Grant Program close on 22 May. If you’re a researcher, don’t miss this opportunity to develop actionable research. 🔗 Apply now: isocfoundation.org/2026/04/a… #Research #Grants #Internet #InternetForEveryone
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Internet Society retweeted
Internet Society Foundation@ISOC_Foundation
May 18
❗Reminder: Don’t miss our upcoming webinar on the Common Good Cyber Fund! 👉Join us on 20 May at 14:00 UTC 🔗Register here: isoc.pub/CGCFinfosession [English, live interpretation in French and Spanish] #CommonGoodCyberFund #Cybersecurity #DigitalSecurity #InternetSociety
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People everywhere deserve an Internet experience that is safe, secure, and protects them online. In 2025, we prioritized targeted grants, training, and advocacy to amplify the knowledge and resources of our global community, enabling people and communities to navigate the Internet safely.
A boy and a girl sit and look at a computer. Title reads: Building a Safe and Secure Internet in 2025.

ALT A boy and a girl sit and look at a computer. Title reads: Building a Safe and Secure Internet in 2025.

A man and a woman smile and stand together. Text explains that online threats are increasing in scale and sophistication, and in 2025, our community responded by supporting safer Internet initiatives.

ALT A man and a woman smile and stand together. Text explains that online threats are increasing in scale and sophistication, and in 2025, our community responded by supporting safer Internet initiatives.

Internet infrastructure outside, with mountains in the background. Text explains that newly connected people are at a higher risk of online threats. The Foundation distributed grants and supported initiatives that help meet communities' needs.

ALT Internet infrastructure outside, with mountains in the background. Text explains that newly connected people are at a higher risk of online threats. The Foundation distributed grants and supported initiatives that help meet communities' needs.

Three women smile and stand together. Text explains that the Foundation supported Fundación PLAN, which supports women entrepreneurs with digital skills training.

ALT Three women smile and stand together. Text explains that the Foundation supported Fundación PLAN, which supports women entrepreneurs with digital skills training.

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It’s not enough to just get everyone online—people need to be able to take full advantage of their access. That’s why, in Africa, where the connectivity discussion has traditionally focused on coverage, there’s a recent shift toward making access growth meaningful. Read more about the importance of community-centered connectivity, how policy can enable positive change, and Kenya’s path to meaningful connectivity ⬇️ internetsociety.org/blog/202…

From Coverage to Meaningful Connectivity: How Kenya Is Leading Africa’s Internet Future  - Internet...

In Africa, the connectivity discussion has shifted from a focus on coverage to making access growth meaningful. Kenya serves as a model.

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