# A policy framework for enabling Internet access

https://www.internetsociety.org/sites/default/files/bp-EnablingEnvironment-20170411-en.pdf (April 2017)

註記一下第二份文件
### Introduction

The Internet Society’s goal is to make the Internet for everyone, everywhere. This supports one of the aims of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; to achieve
universal and affordable access to the Internet.1 Already, the Internet has reached over 3 billion users. However, in spite of the increasing availability of the Internet around the world, still just 43% of the global population has Internet access.2 Of even greater concern is that the rate of Internet access growth is slowing down.

If gaps persist between those who access the Internet’s opportunities and those who do not, there is a risk of increased social and economic inequality. In order to achieve the goal of affordable Internet access for everyone, all stakeholders, including governments, will need to renew their focus and commitment. This document provides a policy framework to guide policymakers on how to bring Internet access to everyone.

#### _There are two gaps in Internet adoption that need to be addressed: Those for whom access is still not available, and those who could access the Internet, but choose not to._

To connect the rest of the world’s population who are still unconnected, policymakers need to address two key questions:

- How to extend Internet access to people not currently covered by Internet infrastructure?
- How to attract online those who could access the Internet, but choose not to?

Ten years ago, policy-makers focused largely on infrastructure. There were few submarine cables connecting developing regions to the global Internet, and few fixed lines to enable Internet access nationally. As a result, access was scarce, high-cost, and low-quality. Today the cost of access continues to fall, and at least 70% of the world’s population lives within range of a mobile Internet signal. This shows that in many countries, infrastructure policies have been successful. The arrival of mobile technologies which cost less to deploy and have allowed competition to flourish, has also helped to drive access.

Where deployment costs are high or incomes very low, however, governments should help to lower costs and promote private investment. Where investment is unlikely to take place, such as in underdeveloped rural areas, governments need to invest to provide access and encourage future competition.

Simply focusing on expanding access infrastructure is not sufficient, however. People need to get online in order to enjoy content and services and expand opportunities for empowerment and development. Surveys of non-users show that in many countries cost and availability are no longer the top barriers to going online. Rather, non-users often indicate that what stands in the way is a lack of online skills and low interest in what the Internet has to offer.3 To make sure everyone can and does access the Internet, the focus needs to broaden from simply increasing the supply of Internet access to also boosting demand.

To drive adoption, governments also need to promote the provision of compelling and locally available online content and services. This requires infrastructure to host and deliver content locally, an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) to keep content local, and supporting and encouraging entrepreneurs and developers to generate content and services that meet local demand. These and other steps below will create a flourishing local Internet ecosystem that is more than just a user base for international content. To ensure their country enjoys the full range of opportunities and benefits the Internet
offers, policymakers should promote not just consuming Internet content and services, but creating them.

#### _The next wave of policies must ensure adoption catches up with availability, and promote the creation of content and services, and not just their consumption._

### About this framework

A strong enabling environment for the Internet promotes universal and affordable access and the content, services, and skills that improve people’s lives.

This policy framework provides recommendations policymakers can use to
flexibly create their own Internet-enabling environment. Drawing on the Internet Society’s experience around the world, interactions with members and national chapters, and based on evidence from our research4, this policy framework shows how to support increased investment, adoption and use of the Internet.

The recommendations can be applied to each country’s unique situation across three linked areas:

1. Expanding Infrastructure,
2. Fostering Skills and Entrepreneurship, and
3. Supportive Governance.

These overlapping areas highlight that the
enabling environment is built on the collaboration of three broad groups of stakeholders:

**Private sector**. Investment is needed for the infrastructure to provide Internet access and to create and host content and services, leaving governments to prioritize areas with high costs or low demand.

**People**. A skilled technical community is necessary to deploy and operate access and
content infrastructure. It is also necessary to develop human capacity so that there are entrepreneurs, developers and others to create content and services and the innovative new business and delivery models built on them.

**Government**. Good governance is needed to set the principles and rules of an enabling environment for a local Internet ecosystem, and specific policies to promote infrastructure investment and human capacity. Governments can also deploy their own content and services and encourage people to make the most of the Internet.