The professional organization, Internet Society (ISOC), the mission of which is to promote and provide access to the worldwide web, announced the preparation of a report on the current state of the Internet around the world. According to a statement by the ISOC, the reports, which will be put out annually, will be used to demonstrate a new level of integrated analysis, a qualitative and quantitative assessment of Internet development, and will make a major contribution to the conversation about the problems of development and Internet governance at all levels.
The first ISOC report focused on maintaining and strengthening the openness and the stability of the Internet as key factors behind the growth and evolution of the worldwide web. In particular, the report states that even though the Internet is close to a historical mark of 3 billion users, large swathes of the population are still without Internet access. Low incomes and downplaying the importance of access to the worldwide web are cited among the main obstacles preventing wider coverage. The ISOC report will be published in full on Monday, June 9.
“These reports are important for understanding key issues of the development of the global Internet, and what needs to be done to make the Internet a truly affordable and harmonious global network,” CEO of the Coordination Center for TLD RU/РФ Andrei Kolesnikov said. He stressed that the ISOC staff includes employees of the world's largest Internet companies, government institutions, NGOs and international organizations. It has offices in many countries, and the report can be expected to be truly comprehensive and extremely useful to a wide range of Internet professionals.
