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RealizingtheGlobalPromiseoftheInternet:

TheFutureofInternetGovernance

ConstanceLedouxBook

JannaQuitneyAnderson

MicheleHammerbacherAnneNicholsonDannikaLewis

ErynGradwell

August13,2008

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ExecutiveSummary

Background

TheUnitedNations,underamandateestablishedin2005duringtheWorldSummitontheInformationSociety(WSIS),launchedadialogueonInternetgovernance.TheWSISisanefforttodevelopaglobal

informationsocietybuiltupontheassetsoftheInternet.Whilenotempoweredtoenactpolicychanges,proponentshopeWSISwillleadtothepromotionofsuccessfulInternetinitiatives.TheInternetGovernanceForumsareonepartoftheWSISeffort.Theyarebeingheldannuallyforfiveyears

toexploreglobalpolicyissuesrelatedtothemanagement/deploymentofcriticalInternetresources,ensuringaccess,safety,security,opennessanddiversity.TheForumsarefosteringdiscussionsthatcouldleadtoaseriesofrecommendationstoWSISandtheUnitedNationsonbestpracticesrelatedto

globalInternetpolicy‐building.ThisstudysurveyedparticipantsatthesecondInternetGovernanceForuminNovember2007inRiodeJaneiro,Brazil,onattitudesaboutcurrentandlikelypolicyinitiativesandtheirpotentialtoaidinmeetingWSISobjectives.

Responsesweregatheredfrom206IGFattendees(roughly15percentofForumparticipants)

representingmorethan60countries.ThedataarevaluablebecausetheycaptureareadingoftheviewsofactiveparticipantsintheseforumsthatmighteventuallyshapeWSISpolicy.

Thefindingshereshouldnotbetakenasarepresentativecross‐sectionofopinionsofthoseinterestedintheForumsor,indeed,thosewhocareaboutthefutureoftheInternet.TheIGFattendeesmost

motivatedtoinvestthe20to30minutesoftheirtimethatwasrequiredtocompletethissurveyweremostlikelytobestakeholderswithvestedinterestsintheissuesfacedbytheirindividualcountriesoruniqueconstituenciesandrootedintheculturestheyrepresent.Althoughthestudysamplewasdiverse

andengagedwiththeissuesaddressed,itshouldnotbeconstruedasencompassingtheviewsofallForumparticipants.Atthesametime,whilenottobeextrapolatedtoawideraudience,thisselect,

conveniencesampleofrespondentsdoesprovideinsightsthatarelikelytoappearinmore‐generalpublicdiscussionsastimepassesand,intruth,theInternetitselfismuchliketherespondentstothisstudy–widelydiverse.

KEYINTERNETGOVERNANCEISSUES

Sixtypercent(60%)ofsurveyparticipantssaidtheybelievetheInternethassuccessfullyconnectedthe

world.However,globally,justoneinfivepersonshasInternetaccess.Itisnotsurprising,then,thatapluralityofrespondentstothissurvey(38%)alsosaidaccessisthesinglemostimportantissuebeingaddressedbytheInternetGovernanceForum.

Respondentsindicatedothertop‐rankingInternetgovernanceconcerns:

• EquitablecontrolofcriticalInternetresources(infrastructure),anissuecloselyrelatedto

access,wasdescribedasmostimportantby17%.

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• Internetsecuritywasseenasthekeyissueby14%ofrespondents.

• Eightpercent(8%)saidthemostimportantissueisInternetopennessand3%saiditisdiversityofInternetcontent,appealanddesign.

• OneinfivesaidthemostcriticalInternetissuetodayisacombinationofalloftheabove.

ThefirstInternetGovernanceForumsweredesignedtoconcentrateonfivekeyareasofpolicyconcern:

Access,Diversity,CriticalInternetResources,OpennessandSecurity.ThesecategorieswereeachaddressedwithaquestionsetintheIGF2007survey.Followingisabriefoutlineofresults.

ACCESS:DIGITALINCLUSIONANDCLOSINGTHEDIGITALDIVIDE

Mostrespondents(51%)agreedthataglobalsolutiontoInternetaccessisachievable,andthatcostistheprimarybarrier(78%).Whenaskedtorankfourpossiblemethodsoffundingtheresourcesto

increaseInternetaccessonascalefrommost‐effectivetoleast‐effective,mostrespondentsindicatedthatcommercialprovidersshouldsolvethisproblemwithalow‐costaccesssolutionforthepoor(aratingaverageof1.9outof4).Intheirresponsestoanotherquestion,47%saidmarketplace

competition,ratherthanregulationistherightmeanstotheendoftheaccessproblem.

Some87%ofrespondentssaidtheircountrieswillhavelittlefutureeconomicsuccesswithoutmoreaccess.Most(60%)saidtheybelieveglobalInternetaccessimprovestheeconomy–throughthecreationofmoreandbetterjobs–andtheyalsoagreedwiththestatementthatInternetaccess

improveshealthcare(74%).

Respondentswereaskedtoexpresstheirconfidenceincurrentinitiativesaimedataccess,andmostsupportedInternetdiffusionthroughschool‐basedandpublic‐accessprograms.Theresponseofparticipantswhenaskedfortheonebestmethodtoincreaseaccess:

• Internetaccessandinstructioninpublicschools(49%).

• PublicInternetkiosks,hotspots,inpublicspaces(38%).

• Connectivitythroughcommunity‐accessmobilephones(14%).

• Public‐privatepartnershipsliketheOneLaptopPerChildprogram(12%).

HalfofrespondentsagreedtheUNshouldworkwithcommercialproviderstoestablishaglobalfundforauniversalbasiclevelofInternetaccessforeveryone.

Mostrespondents(51%)werehopefulthatthereisawaytoprovideaglobalsolutiontoensureInternetaccesstothosewhodesireit,and58%agreedwithanassertionthattheUNshouldcoordinatea

coalitionofcorporate,government,technologyindustry,andcivil‐societystakeholderstoachievethegoalofabasicconnectionforeveryone.Inaddition,44%agreedwiththisstatement:“LeadershipfrommycountryistheonlymeanstoensureallofthepeopleinmycountryhaveInternetaccess.”

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Some77%ofIGFsurveyparticipantsbackedanassertionthatonlyopenandneutralInternetaccesscanclosethedigitaldivide.

Inopen‐endedcomments,respondentsexpressedconcernsthatthelaststagesofInternetdeployment

mightbelefttocommercialbroadbandmonopolies,leavingless‐developedcountriesatadisadvantage.TheyalsoarguedthatdemocracywillonlythriveincountrieswithInternetaccessandtheysaidspammayharmtheInternet’sglobalpromise.

CRITICALINTERNETRESOURCES:CONTROLOFKEYARCHITECTUREANDPOLICY

RespondentswereaskedaseriesofquestionsaboutwherepowerovertheInternetcurrentlyresides.TherewasnoconsensusaboutwhorunsthingsontheInternet.

• 47%agreedwiththestatement“TheInternethasnocenterofgravity–nooneconcentratedlocationofcentralcontrol.”

• 36%saidtheInternetdoeshaveaconcentratedcenterofpower.Oftheserespondents,65%

saidthecenteroftheInternet’sinfluenceorconcentratedpowerisintheUnitedStates,and22%ofthosewhosaidthereisapowercentercitedthecountriesoftheNorthernHemisphere.AfewrespondentssaidITcompaniesarethecenter,and4%indicateduserswhocreatecontent

arethe“centerofgravity”fortheInternet.

• 17%ofrespondentsneitheragreednordisagreedwiththestatement.

ThetechnicalrealityisthatcontroloverdecisionsaboutthearchitectureandoperationoftheglobalInternetisdispersedthroughoutanumberofglobalorganizations.OneofthemostpowerfulistheInternetCorporationforAssignedNamesandNumbers(ICANN),whichassignsdomainnamesand

InternetProtocoladdressesandisinchargeofroot‐serversystemmanagement.ICANNhasprovidedacriticalservicetotheestablishmentofaglobalInternet,howeverastheInternethasmaturedthe

organization’seffectivenesshasbeenquestioned.Nearlyhalfofstakeholders(45%)agreedwiththestatementthattheorganizationasitisstructuredtoday“isnoteffectiveanditshouldbeplacedinamoreneutral,globalcontrolstructure.”

TheIGFsurveyrespondentsgenerallyagreedthatestablishedinstitutions,especiallygovernmentsand

corporations,areactiveparticipantsintoday’smanagementofcriticalInternetresourcesand,asaresult,theyinfluenceaccesstotheInternet.RespondentsgenerallysupportedideasallowingseveralrepresentativestakeholdersegmentsofsocietytomakeInternetpolicies.Forinstance,77%agreed

withthestatementthattheInternetisatransborderresourceanditshouldbegovernedglobally.TheywereparticularlyinsistentthatsignificantcontributionstogovernanceoftheInternet’scriticalresourcesshouldcomefromtheouteredges,includingrepresentativesofcivilsociety.Infact,mostrespondents

(69%)favoredfewerofficialpoliciesasawaytokeeptheInternetinnovativeanddynamic.

WhenconsideringhowtoestablishcriticalInternetresourcesintheircountries,aboutone‐thirdofrespondentsfavoredsupportformarketplacesolutions,suchasencouragingcompetition.Aboutone‐

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thirdsaidindividualcountriesshouldprovidefundingtoofferaccesstothosewhocan’taffordit.Aboutone‐fourthfavoredcommercialbroadbandcompaniesestablishingaglobalfundforalevelofuniversal

service–afundmuchliketheoneestablishedbytelephoneandcablecompaniesintheUnitedStates.

DIVERSITY:ALLOWINGALLTOPARTICIPATEEQUALLY

RespondentssupportedthenotionthatthereshouldbeculturaldiversityontheInternet.Themajority(77%)saidtherepresentationofdiverselanguagesontheInternetshouldbegivenglobalpriority,

howeverrespondentsweresplitonwhethertheInternetcurrentlyenhancesordiminishestheirlocalculture.Some42%saidtheInternetdoesfosterlocalculture,while32%saiditdoesnot.Inaddition,50%saidthereshouldbeglobalpoliciesaimedatfosteringmulticulturalcontent.

Strongsupportwasalsoexpressedforglobalpoliciesthatestablishprotocolsfordisabledusersto

accesstheInternet–47%saidthatshouldbeapriority.

AmajoritysupportedtheestablishmentofglobalpoliciestoensureneutralandequitableaccesstotheInternetforallpeople(52%).

Lesssupportwasindicatedforglobalpoliciesrelatedtoprotectingthefreeflowofuser‐generatedcontent(42%)orglobalprovisionsthatensureInternetcontentisaccurate(28%).Aboutathirdof

respondentsdonotbelievethataccuracyofInternetcontentisanInternetgovernanceissue.

OPENNESS:PROTECTINGCIVILLIBERTIESINCYBERSPACE

RespondentsindicatedstrongsupportfortheestablishmentofaglobalInternetusers’BillofRights.Some66%agreedwiththestatement:“AglobalInternetusers’BillofRightsshouldbeadopted.”While

manyrespondentsalsoindicatedstrongsupportforfreedomofinformationontheInternet(76%),manyexpresseddoubtsthataglobalpolicyonInternetcontentcontrolscanbereached(49%).Three‐

quartersofsurveyparticipantsagreedthatsuchapolicyisneededtoensurefreedomofexpressionontheInternet;62%saidtheybelievecontentcontrolsweakentheInternet.

WhenaskediftheircountryshouldretaintherighttoapprovecontentdisseminatedtoitspeopleviatheInternet,aboutoneinfouroftherespondents(28%)agreedwhile59%disagreed.Evenmore

disagreed(63%)thatacommercialInternetserviceprovidershouldhavethatright.

Nearlyhalfofrespondentsindicatedtheybelievecontentregulationscannotbesuccessfullyleveragedduetotheopennatureoftheonlinerealm.Some47%agreedand34%disagreedwiththefollowingassertion:“PoliciesthatregulatecontentontheInternetarenotenforceablebecauseoftheborderless

natureoftheInternet.”

Inopen‐endedcomments,respondentsexpressedconcernsaboutachievingthecorrectbalancebetweencivillibertiesandasecureInternet.MostseebalancingfreeexpressionwithprivacyrightsandasecureInternetasthemostimportantfutureconcerninthisareaofInternetgovernance.Manyfear

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governmentcensorshipwilllimitfreeexpression.Forexample,onerespondentwrote,“Whiledifficulttoachieve,wecanhaveanopenInternetandstillprohibitcriminalactivitylikechildpornographyand

cyberterrorism.”Anotherrespondentwrote,“Aboveall,politicalspeechontheInternetshouldbeprotectedglobally.”

SECURITY:ASSURINGSAFETY,TRUSTANDARELIABLE,SCALINGNETWORK

RespondentswereaskedaboutInternetandglobalpolicymakingrelatedtocybercrime.Most

respondents(70%)saidtheInternet’sarchitectureandtheprotectionofinfrastructureshouldprimarilybetheresponsibilityoflocalgovernments.RelativelylowsupportwasexpressedfortheestablishmentofaglobalInternetpoliceforcetaskedwithprotectingtheInternet’sinfrastructure.Just38%backed

theidea.However,therewasstrongsupportforcreationofaglobalpoliceforcetofightcybercrime–56%ofrespondentssupportedthisidea.ThisfindingisnotsurprisingconsideringthestrongsupportforglobalprotocolsforconductingbusinessovertheInternet–fully81%ofrespondentsbackedthis

notion.Halfofstakeholderssaidindividualusers’rightstoprivacyoutweightheneedforsecurity,whileaboutathird(35%)saidsecurityoutweighsprivacy.Globalcooperationisnecessarytofindabalancebetweentheprotectionofcivillibertiesandthemaintenanceofasecure,trustedInternet.

GOINGFORWARD:ADDRESSINGGOVERNANCEINTHEFUTURE

ThesurveydatasuggestthatrespondentsbelievethatglobalpoliciesaredesirableandachievableintheInternetgovernancearena.Mostrespondents(52%)saidtheInternetisgovernable–eventhoughtitisatransborderphenomenonwithoutaprimarylocusofcontrol.Theysupportedmultiplemeasuresfor

achievingbroaduseraccesstotheInternetthatcenteraroundpoliciesatthelocalandgloballevel.TheyseevalueinmarketplaceapproachestobringingInternetaccesstothosewhoarestill

unconnected.Theyalsobelievethatachievingaccessispossiblethroughglobalpoliciesandthatthisisthekeyareaforpolicymaking.

StrongsupportforimprovingInternetaccessthroughschoolsandeducationwasexpressedamongstakeholders.ThepromiseofmobiledevicestobringtheInternettotheunconnectedreceivedpositive

support.

Significantsupportwasalsoexpressedforestablishingglobalprotocolstoensurethesafe,secureconductofbusinessovertheInternet.ThisfindingsuggeststhatthecommercialapplicationsoftheInternetareastrongbasisforbuildingconsensusamongglobalstakeholdersonissuesofpolicy.These

policiesarelikelytofindastronglevelofsupport,whereaspoliciesrelatedtoregulatingInternetcontentwillfindtheleastconsensus.

Iftheopinionsoftheserespondentsareanyindicator,globalpolicymakerswilllikelyfindrobustdebateandlittleagreementonhowtostrikeabalancebetweenmaintainingasafeandsecureInternetand

protectingusers’civilliberties.TheanswersheresuggestthatsometensionsmightbeeasedbyadoptingaglobalInternetBillofRights;thisconcepthadstrongsupport–morethan66%of

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respondentssupportedtheconcept,andonly6%disagreed,suggestingthisisanopportunityforIGF.Iftheserespondentshadtheirway,aBillofRightsmightcontainstatementsaddressingareaswhere

Internetgovernancestakeholdersareinagreement,suchas:theInternetshouldbeaccessibletoallpeopleoftheworld,availableintheirnativelanguageandatanaffordablecost.

Therewasanevensplitofrespondentswhentheywereaskedwhethertheyseemarketplacedemandorgovernment‐mandatedpolicyasthebestlikelyshaperoftheInternet’sfuture.

Themultistakeholdermodelisthepolicy‐settingconfigurationmostsurveyrespondentssaythey

support.Thisevolutionary,edges‐informatisemployedbyIGF,ICANN,theInternetSocietyandotherorganizationsthatarebuildingthepoliciesandstructuresunderpinningtheInternetbycombininginputfromrepresentativesfromtherealmsofbusiness,government,technologyandcivilsociety.

Whilemostsurveyedstakeholderssayasystemismostinnovativeanddynamicifitremainsas

unregulatedaspossible(70%),athirdsaytheInternetwillnotprosperwithoutadditionalglobalpolicies.Themajoritybelieves,though,thatpublicpolicywillalwaysremainastepbehindtherealitiesofonlinelifebecauseofacceleratingtechnologicaldevelopment.Theseareindicatorssupportingthe

ideathatguidingprinciplesdifferentfromthoseappliedtopreviouscommunicationstechnologiessuchasbroadcasttelevisionorthetelephonearenecessarytobestshapefutureInternetpolicy.

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RealizingtheGlobalPromiseoftheInternet:TheFutureofInternetGovernanceINTRODUCTION

DuringthemeetingoftheWorldSummitontheInformationSociety(WSIS)heldinTunisin2005,a

requestwasmadetotheUnitedNationsGeneralSecretariattoestablishaseriesofmeetingsthatwouldcreateaglobaldialogueonInternetgovernance.Thesefive,annual,multi‐stakeholder,transparentmeetingsweremandatedtocreateongoingandinclusiveglobalpolicydiscussionsonpressingInternet

issuesrelatedto:

theestablishmentofInternetaccessandtheavailabilityofcriticalInternetresources;

furtheringasafeandsecureInternet;

promotinganopenanddiverseInternet.

Whilenotdirectedatcreatingandimplementingpolicy,theInternetGovernanceForumsareexpectedtobringkeyissuestolightandestablishadialogueamonggovernment,businessleaders,membersofthetechnologycommunity,andactivistsincivilsocietysotheycanleveragethisknowledgetofoster

theobjectivesabove.ThefirstInternetGovernanceForumtookplacein2006inAthens,Greece,andthesecondtookplaceinRiodeJaneiro,Brazil,in2007.TheeventsdrawadiversesampleofInternetstakeholders,fromInternetProtocolinventorsVintCerfandRobertKahntoyouthfuladvocatesintheir

20sonhandtofightforaccessforall.TopleadersfromICANN,ITU,UNESCO,OECD,WIPO,INTERPOL,theCouncilofEurope,theInternationalChamberofCommerce,SunMicrosystemsandMicrosoftattendthemeetingsonanequalfootingwithyoungstudentsbeingtrainedaboutInternetGovernanceissues

throughtheDiploFoundationandmembersofcivilsociety.

AftereachForum,staffwiththeIGFSecretariatappointedbytheUnitedNationsandmembersofaMultistakeholderGrouponInternetGovernanceplanthenextForumandreleasesummativereports

thatbuildabridgetothenextmeeting.DiscussionisongoingastowhethertheForumsmightultimatelygenerateaseriesofrecommendationsregardingdirectionstofollowinencouragingthepositivedevelopmentoffutureglobalpolicies.

OneofthegovernancebreakthroughstotakeplaceattheinitialIGFswastheformationofanumberof

“dynamiccoalitions”(DC)thatincludepeoplewithbackgroundsinacademia,civilsociety,business,government,thetechnologyindustryandkeyInternetgovernanceorganizationssuchasICANNandtheInternetSociety.TheseadhocgroupsmetandjoinedtogetherasaresultoftheirdiscussionsatIGF.

EachIGFDCaddressesaspecificissueonacontinuingbasisoutsidetherealmoftheForumaswellasduringtheannualevents.Amongthe14dynamiccoalitionsnowactivearethosecoveringgender,linguisticdiversity,childsafety,spam,globalwarmingandtheestablishmentofabillofrights.

Nearly1,400stakeholdersinthefutureoftheInternetattendedtheBrazilmeeting,whereheated

debatessurroundingkeyissueswereheard.Researcherswiththeweb‐basedprojectImaginingtheInternetconductedaglobalInternetpolicysurveyamongattendees.Thisreportdetailsthefindingsof

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thateffort,whichwassupportedbythePewInternet&AmericanLifeProjectandsponsoredbytheImaginingtheInternetCenteratElonUniversityinElon,NorthCarolina.

Figure1

WSISMandatetoEstablishtheInternetGovernanceForum(IGF)

METHODOLOGY

ImagingtheInternet’sonlinesurveywasdesignedtoaddressthekeyareasbeingtackledbyIGFparticipantsandwasadministeredon‐siteinBrazilNovember12‐15,2007.ThequestionswerecraftedafterareviewofthekeyissuesineachoftheareastobeaddressedattheIGFmeeting.Theareasof

policydiscussionare:access,diversity,openness,criticalInternetresourcesandsecurity.Eachpolicyareaiscomprisedofitsowncoreconcepts,andquestionsweredevisedtotestviewsaboutthoseconcepts.Areasinwhichglobalpolicymightbeimplementedwerealsoexplored.Thereviewofrelated

literaturefoundtensionbetweenglobalauthority,stateauthorityandlocalauthority.Thistensionandtheroleofeachofthestakeholderswereexploredinthesurvey.Additionally,respondentswereaskedtoweighinonregulatorymodelsthatarebeingdiscussedaroundtheglobeandthemarketplace

approachtoInternetgovernance.Surveytopicsrangedfromuser‐generatedcontenttothecontroversialissueofcontrolofdomainnamesandtheinabilitytocapturenativelanguages.Inall,the

72. We ask the UN Secretary-General, in an open and inclusive process, to convene, by the second quarter of 2006, a meeting of the new forum for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue—called the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).The mandate of the Forum is to:

a. Discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet;

b. Facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with different cross-cutting international public policies regarding the Internet and discuss issues that do not fall within the scope of any existing body;

c. Interface with appropriate inter-governmental organizations and other institutions on matters under their purview;

d. Facilitate the exchange of information and best practices, and in this regard make full use of the expertise of the academic, scientific and technical communities;

e. Advise all stakeholders in proposing ways and means to accelerate the availability and affordability of the Internet in the developing world;

f. Strengthen and enhance the engagement of stakeholders in existing and/or future Internet governance mechanisms, particularly those from developing countries;

g. Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations;

h. Contribute to capacity building for Internet governance in developing countries, drawing fully on local sources of knowledge and expertise;

i. Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the embodiment of WSIS principles in Internet governance processes;

j. Discuss, inter alia, issues relating to critical Internet resources; k. Help to find solutions to the issues arising from the use and misuse of the Internet, of

particular concern to everyday users; l. Publish its proceedings

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surveypresented33questionstorespondents.1

Figure2ScreenCapturesofIGFonlinestudy

IGFplannersestablishedatown‐squareenvironmentattheRiodeJaneiromeetingvenuethatofferedattendeesapproximately60publiccomputerswithInternetaccessavailableforuse.RepresentativesofImaginingtheInternetsetupatableinthetownsquareandinterceptedattendeesandaskedthemto

participateinthesurveyofglobalInternetpolicyissues.Thesurveywasweb‐based,andparticipantstookitonline.Thesurveywasofferedinthreelanguages,English,SpanishandFrench.Themajorityofrespondents(67%)tookthesurveyinEnglish,19%tookitinSpanishand14%tookthesurveyinFrench.

RESPONDINGSAMPLE2

TheIGForganizersreporttheBrazilmeetingwasattendedby1,363participantsfrom109countries.In

all,206attendeescompletedoursurvey.Thatrepresentsabout15%ofconferenceregistrants.Respondentscamefrom65differentcountriesor60%ofthecountriesinattendance.Brazilianscomprised27%ofconferenceattendeesandweresimilarlyrepresentedinthisstudy.Othercountries

frequentlyrepresented:theUnitedStates(7%),India(3%),UnitedKingdom(3%),Australia(3%)andChina(2%).

Oneinfourrespondentswerewomen,andrespondentsrangedfrom19yearsoldto73yearsold,with

theaverageage41yearsold.

ThemajorityofrespondentsdescribedtheirrolewiththeInternetasanadvocate/voiceofthepeople/activistuser(26%).Thiswasfollowedby“educator”and“consultant”bothmakingup21%ofthesample.Researchscientistswere17%ofthesample,author/editorjournalistsandtechnology

1Sevenofthequestionsposedwereopen‐ended.Theseresponseswerecodedbyfourindependentcodersandcommonthemescollapsedfor

presentationinthisreport.Every10thopencodedcommentwascheckedforintercoderreliability.UsingCohen’skappa,intercoderreliabilityagainst10%ofthesample,kwasfoundtobe.89,averygoodrateofagreement.

2Fullsummariesofthesurveyfindingsanddemographicsareavailableatthecloseofthisreport.

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developer/administratoreachcomprised13%ofthesample.Businessleaderscomprised12%ofrespondentsandlegislators/politicians/lawyersmadeup6%.Therespondentsparticipatedina

conveniencesample–anyonewhochosetorespondtoourinvitationwasallowedtoparticipate.Thus,thisisnotarepresentativesurveyofattendeesoftheForumorofthelargercommunityofstakeholdersinfutureInternetpolicy‐makingandthereisnomarginoferrortoreport.Thesurveydoeshavevalueas

areadingofalargeanddiversenumberofparticipantsinthisInternetGovernanceForum.

WhenrespondentswereaskedwhattypeoforganizationtheyrepresentedintheirInternetwork,mostindicatedtheyworkedwithanon‐profitorganization(36%).Theothermost‐frequentresponseswereacollegeoruniversity(19%)oragovernmentagency(16%).Thismake‐upofrespondentsisconsistent

withtheattendeesattheconference,whichrepresentabroadspectrumofInternetstakeholders.

FINDINGS

WhatistheMOSTimportantInternetgovernanceissuetoday?

ThefivekeyareasbeingaddressedbytheInternetGovernanceForumsweretestedtoseewhichonewouldleadasbeingthemostimportant.Rankingfirstamongrespondentswas“improvingInternetaccess”(38%).Thiswasfollowedby1in5respondents’indicationthatallissuesbeingdiscussedatIGF

forumsareequallyimportant.Seventeenpercent(17%)indicatedthat“equitablecontrolofcriticalInternetresources”istheMOSTimportantInternetgovernanceissuetoday.

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Inthe“other”category,respondentsindicatedthatensuringchildprotectionandsafetyisthemostimportantissuefacingInternetgovernancetoday.Otherrespondentsindicatedthelackofglobalgovernanceandtransborderagreementsisthemostimportantissue.

TheInternetandCriticalResources

RespondentswereaskedaseriesofquestionsaboutcriticalInternetresources,theestablishmentofinfrastructureandend‐userdevicesthatbringstheInternettothepeople,andtheroletheseresourcesplayintheircommunities.Thevastmajority(87%)agreedthatareasoftheworldwithoutwidespread

Internetaccesswillonlyhavelimitedeconomicsuccess.

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RespondentsweresplitwhenaskediftheyagreedthattheInternethassuccessfullyconnectedthe

world.Whilethemajorityagreedwiththestatement(59%),oneinfourdisagreed.

TheInternetCorporationforAssignedNamesandNumbersisalarge,international,multistakeholder

groupthatmanagesInternetrootserversandassignsdomainnamesandInternetProtocoladdresses.DespitethefactthatithasbeenscalingandadjustingitsoperationstokeepupwiththegrowthoftheInternet,ICANNhasbeenatthecenterofsomeInternetgovernancecontroversyinrecentyears.While

itisaglobalorganizationwithgloballeadership,ICANNwasestablishedandisheadquarteredintheUnitedStatesandoperatesunderanagreementwiththeUSCommerceDepartment.ICANN’sUS‐centeredoriginsandthatcountry’scontinuinginfluence,thefactthatkeyrootserversarelocatedinthe

USandthefactthatthecorelanguageoftheInternet’sdomain‐namesystemisEnglisharejustafewoftheissuesunderchallenge.ICANNleadershavebeenmakingprogresstowardanewinternationalizeddomain‐namesystem,andtheorganizationintroduceditinabetaformatatIGFinBrazil,atalocationin

thepublicsquarenotfarfromthekiosksatwhichsurveyparticipantsofferedtheiranswersforthisweb‐basedstudy.

WhenqueriedabouttheworkoftheInternetCorporationforAssignedNamesandNumbers(ICANN),45%ofrespondentsagreedwiththestatementthatICANN“isnoteffectiveandshouldbeplacedina

moreneutral,globalcontrolstructure.”Twenty‐ninepercent(29%)disagreedwiththatstatementand26%remainedneutralontheissue.

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TheInternet’sCenterofGravity

SincesomeInternetgovernancestakeholderssaycontrolofthecriticalresourcesoftheInternetistooUS‐centricdespitetheeffortsofICANN,theInternetSociety,civil‐societygroupsandothergovernance

organizationstointernationalize,IGFattendeeswereaskedifthereisoneconcentratedlocationofcentralcontrolovertheInternet.Forty‐sevenpercent(47%)ornearlyhalfagreed“theInternethasnocenterofgravity”;36%disagreed.

Thosewhoseresponseindicatedthereisacenterofgravitywereaskedtofollowupbyfillingintheblank,“TheInternethasacenterofgravityanditislocated____________.”Fifty‐four(N=54)respondentsfilledintheblank.ThemajorityindicatedthecenterofgravityoftheInternetisinthe

UnitedStates(65%).Other“centers”ofInternetcontrolincludedtheGlobalWestandNorthofthe

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Equator,aswellasmajorITcompanies.Fourpercent(4%)indicatedthatuserswhocreatecontentarethe“centerofgravity”fortheInternet.

FundingtoEstablishCriticalInternetResources

DifferentmodelsforfundingcriticalInternetresources(infrastructuredeploymentandhardwaresuch

astheroutersandserversthatarethearchitectureoftheInternet)beingdiscussedintheglobalcommunityweretested.Receivingthemostsupportwastheencouragementofcommercialcompetitionasameanstolowerpricesandcreatemoreaccess;35%rankedthisoptionfirst.

Thesecond‐most‐frequentchoiceforfundingcriticalInternetresourceswasthateachindividualcountry

provideitsownfundingtoestablishInternetaccessforthosewhocannotaffordit(32%rankingitfirstasafundingoption).

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Oneinfourrespondentsrankedfirsttheestablishmentofaglobalfund,financedandrunbycommercialInternetcompanies,muchliketheuniversalservicefundestablishedbytelephoneandcablecompanies

intheUnitedStates.

Leastpopularamongrespondentswastheestablishmentofaglobaltax,collectedfromInternetusers

andmanagedbyanon‐UNnon‐governmentalorganization(NGO).

RespondentswereaskedtoconsideraseriesofstatementsabouttheimpactofcriticalInternetresourcesoneconomicandphysicalhealth,and3in4agreedthatInternetaccessreducespovertyandcreatesmoreandbetterjobs.Respondentsrejectedthestatementthatthereisnorealevidencethat

theInternetimpactstheseareas.

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Threeinfour(74%)disagreedwiththeobservationthattheInternetis“sofulloffolkloreandquackerythatthereisn’tanyreasonyettothinkthatitisimprovinghealthcare.”ThisfindingsuggeststhegloballegitimacyofInternetcontent.

SurveyparticipantswereprovidedanopportunitytolistthemostimportantconcernstheyhaveaboutthefutureofcriticalInternetresourcesandInternetgovernance,and112respondents–justabouthalf–didso.Thetopthreefutureconcernsincluded:

• Thatbroadbandprovidersexistingasmonopoliesintheircountrieswillcontrolthefinal

stagesofInternetdiffusionandcreateadependencyindevelopingnationsonthesecompanies,severalofwhichweredescribedashavingtheirownpoliticalagenda.

• TheimportanceofcriticalInternetresourcestodevelopingandmaintaininginclusive,humanisticpoliticalsystems.

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• CreatingasecureInternetwithstrongcontrolsforspam,childpornographyandsexualsolicitation,privacyprotectionsandtransactionalsecuritywhenconductingbusinessover

theInternet.

IssuesRelatedtoInternetACCESS

MostrespondentstotheInternetgovernancesurveyagreedthattheprimaryobstacletoInternetaccessformanypeopleacrosstheglobeisthecostoftheservice–about78%ofthestakeholdersresponding–

withjust11%indisagreementwiththestatement.

ThemajorityagreedthattoovercomecostissuesslowingthediffusionoftheInternetcommercialInternetprovidersshouldberequiredtoofferabasic,low‐costlevelofInternetservicetothosewho

cannotaffordtheserviceotherwise.

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Respondentsweresplitovertheamountoftelecommunicationsregulationinforcetoday.While47%agreedthat“toomuchregulationexiststoday”–roughlyoneinthree(30%)disagreedwiththat

description.

ClosingtheDigitalDivide

Aseriesofquestionswasaskedaboutcurrentmeasurestoprovideentrypointstoencouragedigital

inclusionandclosethedigitaldivide.Internetconnectionsandinstructioninschoolsonhowtousesuchconnectionswererankedfirstby49%ofrespondentsasthebestmeanstoprovideaccessanddigitalopportunity.

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PublicInternetkioskswererankedbehindthat,with32%ofrespondentsgivingthemfirst‐choicestatusasameanstoincreasedigitalinclusion.

Public‐privatepartnershipstoprovidelow‐costhardwareliketheOneLaptopPerChildprogramandcommunity‐accessmobilephonesweretheleastlikelytoberankedfirst,chosenby12to14%of

respondentsasafirst‐choiceoptionforincreasingdigitalinclusion.

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TheUnitedNations’RoleandGlobalInitiativestoImproveACCESS

PotentialmethodsforimprovingdigitalinclusiondiscussedbyIGFparticipantsandinthenewsmedia

weretestedtogaugeIGFparticipants’support.WhenaskediftheUnitedNationsshouldcoordinateacoalitionofstakeholderstocreateaglobalfundtoprovideauniversalbasiclevelofInternetaccesstoeveryone,mostagreed(58%)andjust1in5disagreedwiththisconcept.

Additionally,mostrespondentsindicatedtheyareconfidentthatthiscanbeaccomplished,withthe

samenumbersupportingthemeasuredisagreeingwiththestatement,“AglobalsolutiontoensureindividualshaveInternetaccessisNOTpossible.”

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Mostrespondentsalsoagreedthatanyglobalinitiativewouldrequiresupportfromtheirowncountries.Forty‐fourpercent(44%)agreedwiththeobservationthatleadershipfromtheircountry“istheonlymeanstoensureallofthepeopleinmycountryhaveInternetaccess.”

Themajority(77%)saiddigitalinclusionwillexpandsignificantlyonlyifopenandneutralcooperativeeffortbetweenlocalandglobalpoliciesisinplacetoassurethatcommercialinterestsandgovernmentssupporttheinitiative.

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RespondentswereaskedtolistthemostimportantfutureconcernsaboutaccessandInternetgovernance,and67respondentsdidso.Thetopthreeresponses:

• EducationabouttheInternetwouldhelpexpandaccessbyimprovingpeople’s

“capacity”tounderstanditsusesandhowtouseit.• GovernmentinterventionisnecessarytoestablishfinalpointsofInternetaccess.

• PoliciesabouttheInternetshouldkeepitaneutralnetwork.

IssuesRelatedtoInternetDIVERSITY

PotentialglobalpoliciesrelatedtoInternetdiversityarebeingdebatedduringtheInternetGovernanceForums.Aseriesofquestionsaboutestablishingpoliciesintheseareaswastestedamongrespondents.

Themajority(77%)agreedthatglobalInternetpoliciesshouldbeestablishedtoensurethelanguagesoftheworldarerepresentedfairlyonline,andtheyindicatedthattheissueshouldbegivenmore

emphasis.

RespondentsweresplitastowhethertheInternetenhancestheirlocalculturebyprovidinganopportunitytoeducateothersviatheWeborwhetherpeople’suseoftheInternethasdiminishedtheirlocalculture.ThisdichotomydemonstratestheassetsanddeficienciesoftheInternet.Aplurality

disagreed(42%)thattheInternetishavinganegativeimpactontheirculture.

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Aseriesofpotentialpolicyareasweretestedtodeterminewhetherglobalorlocalpoliciesaremostsupportedbystakeholdersasthebestmethodbywhichtoaddresstheissues.

SignificantsupportexistsforglobalpoliciestoestablishasetofprotocolsforInternetdesignthat

supportsthedisableduser(47%).

Globalpublicpoliciestoensurethatcontentreflectsthediversityofthepeopleoftheworldweresupportedbyhalfofrespondents.

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Slightlylesssupport(46%)existsforestablishingglobalpublicpolicyrelatedtouser‐generatedcontent;39%indicatedthatlocalorcommercialprovidersshouldsetpoliciesrelatedtothisissueand10%saidit

isnotanInternet‐governanceissue.

ApluralityofrespondentssaidthequalityofInternetcontentis“notanInternet‐governanceissue,”although28%saiditshouldbeaddressedbyglobalpolicyand24%sawitasalocal‐policyissue.

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ThemajorityfoundthatglobalpublicpoliciesshouldbeestablishedtopromotetheavailabilityoftheInternetinaneutral,equitablemanner.

WhenlistingtheirmostimportantfutureconcernsaboutDIVERSITYandInternetgovernance(N=52),mostindicatedtheirconcernsrelatedtoequalaccess.Mostcommonlyoccurringresponses:

• Equalaccesstoneutral,multi‐lingualcontentanduseofrootwebcodingthatsupports

thelanguagesoftheworld.• Positiveeffectsonlocalizationandculturepreservation.• Usabilityandopennesstoall,includingpeoplefromdevelopingcountriesandthe

disabled.

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IssuesRelatedtoInternetOPENNESS

RespondentswereposedaseriesofquestionsaboutInternetopennessandpotentialpolicyareas.ThefirstexploredestablishingaglobalInternetusers’BillofRights;thisisthegoalofoneofthecurrently

establishedIGFdynamiccoalitions.Morethan66%ofrespondentssupportedtheconcept,andonly6%disagreed,suggestingthisisanopportunityforIGF.TheresponsestothissurveyindicatethataBillofRightsaddressingareaswhereInternetgovernancestakeholdersareinagreementshouldcoverthe

followingconcepts:theInternetshouldbeaccessibletoallpeopleoftheworld,itshouldbeavailableintheirnativelanguageandatanaffordablecost.ABillofRights,couldbethefoundationfromwhichotherInternetgovernancepoliciescouldbeestablished,suchasaglobalcybercrime‐fightingunit(highly

supportedbymostoftherespondentsinthisstudy).

Fifty‐ninepercent(59%)ofrespondentsdisagreedwiththestatement“MycountryshouldhavetherighttoapprovetheInternetcontentavailabletopeopleofmycountry.”Twenty‐eightpercentagreed.

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RespondentshadmixedreactionstothepotentialforsuccessfullyachievingaglobalpolicyonInternetcontent.Oneinfoursaiditcanbedone;49%saiditcannotbeaccomplished.

Whiletheconfidenceinachievingitmightbelow,themajorityfeltthatglobalpolicyisneededtoensure

InternetusersareprovidedtherighttofreedomofexpressionontheInternet(76%).

ThemajorityalsoagreedthatcontentcontrolsweakentheusefulnessoftheInternet(62%),withjust18%respondingindisagreementwiththestatement.

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EvenlesssupportexistsfortheconceptthatcommercialInternetserviceprovidersshouldhavetheabilitytocontrolcontent.ThemajoritydisagreedthatcontentcontrolsshouldrestwiththeInternet

servicecommercialproviders(63%).

AlmosthalfofrespondentsindicatedthatifglobalpoliciesweresomehowdevelopedtoapplyInternetcontentregulation,suchpolicieswouldnotbeenforceable.Aboutathirdofrespondents(34%)disagreedwiththisstatement.

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WhenaskedaboutthemostimportantfutureconcernsaboutInternetgovernanceandtheconceptofopennessinanopen‐endedquestion(N=48),respondentsweremostlikelytomentiontheneedto

balancefreedomandsecurity.Amongthemost‐oftenoccuringconcerns:

• ThedifficultyinmaintainingcivillibertiesontheInternetwhilemaintaingasecure,cybercrimefreeInternet(N=19).

• Censorship,freespeechandgovernmentcontrol.• Affirmationthatself‐regulationisthebestInternetpolicytopreserveopenness.

IssuesRelatedtoInternetSECURITY

AnotherareaofemphasisattheInternetGovernanceForumisInternetsecurity;thisisnecessarytoconductbusinessandothercommunicationssafelyandtomaintaintheintegrityofinformationflow,a

requirementforthefurtherpositivediffusionoftheInternet.Respondentswereofferedaseriesofstatementsaboutsecurityissuesbeingdebatedlocallyandgloballyandaskedtoagreetodisagreewiththosestatements.

Thewidemajority(70%)agreedthatlocalgovernmentsshouldberesponsibleformaintainingasecure

Internetinfrastructure.

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Morethanhalfofrespondents(56%)agreedwiththestatementthattheresponsibilityofInternetinfrastructuresecurityrestswiththecompaniesthatbuildit.

RespondentswereevenlysplitonthenotionthataglobalInternetpoliceforceshouldbeestablishedwiththespecificpurposeofprotectingtheInternet’shardwarearchitecture.Thirty‐eightpercent(38%)agreedwiththatconcept,whileanequalnumberdisagreed.Oneinfourremainedneutralontheidea.

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Cybercrimewasmoreaggressivelyconsideredbyrespondentsasanareainneedofpolicing.Eightypercent(80%)ofrespondentsagreedthattheircountryshouldberesponsibleforensuringthatillegalactivityisnotbeingtransactedthroughtheuseoftheInternet.

Oneinthree(36%)agreedthatcommercialInternetserviceprovidersshouldalsopolicethisactivity,whilethemajoritydisagreed44%thatitistheresponsibilityoftheInternetserviceprovider.

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Globalprotocolsforbusinesstransactionswereheavilysupportedbyrespondents,with81%inagreementandverylittledisagreement(4%).Thisoverwhleminglypositiveresponsesuggeststhatthe

commercialtransactionalnatureoftheInternetcouldbeoneoftheleadingenergiesbehindglobalpolicies.

Respondentswerealsoinclinedtosupport(58%)aglobalInternetsecuritypoliceforce,establishedforthepurposesoffightingcybercrime.Oneinfive(22%)disagreedwiththenotion.

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Whenassessingthedifficultbalancebetweensecurityandprivacy,respondentsweremostlikelytosupporttheindividualInternetusers’righttoprivacy.Fiftypercent(50%)disagreedwiththenotionthatsecuritymeasuresoutweightheindividualuser’srights.Thirty‐fivepercent(35%),orroughly1in3,felt

thatitdoes.

WhilethereremainsagooddealofuncertaintywheretheultimateresponsibilityforInternetsecurity

rests–theindividualuserversusthegovernment–mostrespondentswerelikelytosayitisthe“government’sresponsibility”(42%),and30%supportedtheideathatitistheindividualuser’sresponsibility.

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Whenaskedinopen‐endedfashionaboutthemostimportantfutureconcernsaboutInternetgovernanceandsecurity,responses(N=52)werevaried,withanemphasisontheindividualandcybercrime.Thetopthreeconcerns:

• BalancingcivillibertiesandthemaintenanceofasecureInternetforallpeople.• Fightingcybercrime.• Globalcooperationinsecurityinitiatives.

FutureGlobalInternetPolicies

GeneralthoughtsonInternetpolicieswerealsopresentedtorespondentstogaugewheretheystoodon

theroleofglobalgovernanceandthepotentialoftheInternetGovernanceForumtofostereffectivepolicies.Respondentswereaskedaseriesofquestionsaboutglobalpolicymakinganditspotential.

Themajorityofrespondents(77%)agreethattheInternetisatransborderresourcethatshouldbegovernedglobally.Thirteenpercent(13%)disagreedwiththisstatement,andtheremainderwere

uncertain.

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Respondentsweresplitontheideathatindividualcountriesshouldbetheprimarydevelopersof

Internetgovernance.Forty‐onepercent(41%)agreedwiththestatementand39%disagreed.

WhenaskediffutureInternetgovernanceshouldbeabalancebetweenlocalandglobalpolicymaking,mostrespondentsagreedwiththestatement(77%).

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Oneinfiverespondents(23%)agreedthatthephysicalcharacteristicsoftheInternetmakeitimpossibletogovern.Themajority(52%)disagreedwiththeidea,and25%neitheragreednordisagreed.

Whenaskedif“marketplacedemandandnotgovernment‐mandatedpublicpolicy”shouldbetheprimaryinfluenceroftheInternet’sfuture42%disagreed.Aboutthesamenumberagreed(38%)andnearly20%remainneutralonthestatement.Thisfindingdemonstratessomesupportforcommercial

solutionstoInternethurdles.

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TogaugewhetherthereissomepredispositiontotreatingpolicymakingabouttheInternetlikeother

formsoftelecommunications,respondentswereaskedwhichofthefollowingservicestothehometheInternetismostlike:

‐broadcasttelevisionorradioservice

‐electricityservice‐telephoneservice‐newspapersubscriptions

‐mutlichannelcableorsatelliteservice‐waterservice‐thereisnocomparableservice

RespondentsweremostlikelytosaytheInternetisn’tlikeanyotherservicetothehome(46%).

Thenext‐most‐likelycomparisonwaswithtelephoneservice(16%).Inthe“other”categoryofthe

question,whichallowedforanopenanswer,somerespondentssaidtheInternetisacombinationof“alloftheabove,”otherssaiditislikenothingwehaveeverknownbeforeandonesaiditislikea“sewersystem”inthatwhatyouputin,yougetout.

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ThesefindingssuggestthatfutureInternetpolicieswillbeuniqueandonlysomeelementsmightbe

successfullybasedonprevioustelecommunicationspolicymodels.

Whenaskedtoreacttothestatementthat“asystemismostinnovativeanddynamicifithasfewerpoliciesthanitisifithasmany,”respondentsweremostlikelytoagreethatfewerpoliciescreatea

moreinnovativeanddynamicsystem(69%).

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However,respondentsindicatesomeuncertaintyastohowfartheInternetwillbeabletoprosperwithoutadditionalglobalpolicies.Forty‐onepercent(41%)agreedthattheInternetwillstillprosper

withoutglobalpolicies,while39%disagreedandoneinfiveremaineduncertain.

ThestakeholderssurveyedalsosaidthatpolicyresponseswillcontinuetolagduetotherapidevolutionoftheInternet;65%saidpublicpolicywillbe“onestepbehinddevelopment”becauseoftheInternet’s

quick‐pacedinnovationandexpansion.

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ClosingQuestions

Respondentswereaskedinopen‐endedfashionabouttheonemostimmediatepublicpolicyfacingtheInternet(N=125).Themajorityofrespondentsreinforcedpreviouslymentionedideasaboutthe

importanceofestablishingaccessforall(N=29).ThiswascloselyfollowedbytheneedforasafeandsecureInternet(22)andadesirefora“lessisbetter”approachtoglobalpolicymaking(N=15).

WhenaskedaboutemergingconcernsforfutureInternetpublicpolicy(N=121),respondentsweremostlylikelytostressestablishingasafeandsecureInternetenvironment(N=24),strikingthebalance

betweenprivacyandgovernmentintervention(N=19)andtheneedforaffordableandeasieraccessibilityforall(N=17).

Inthefinalquestion,respondentswereaskediftherewasanythingthatwasn’taskedinthesurveythattheywouldliketoshare.Fifty‐five(N=55)respondentsprovidedadditionalinformation.Mostasked

howtheIGFcancreatenon‐bindingpoliciestogoverntheInternet,howtechnicalandfinancialhurdlesofInternetdeploymentcanbeovercometobringtheservicetoallpeopleandifglobalnationsatdifferentstagesofInternetdeploymentcancometogetherattheIGFandhaveacapacity‐building

exercise.

ConcludingObservations

AlthoughtherespondingstakeholderswouldpreferaslittleregulationaspossibleandtheysaypolicywillalwaystendtolagbehindtheInternet’srapidevolution,theyagreethatsomeglobalpoliciesare

desiredandachievableintheInternetgovernancearena.MostsaytheInternetisgovernable–thephysicalcharacteristicshavedevelopedtothepointnowatwhichsuchcontrolsarealreadybeingexercised.

Accesscontinuestobetheareawiththemostglobalenergyforpotentialpolicymaking.Themajorityofstakeholdersindicatedtheypreferamultiple‐measuresapproachforachievingaccessthatcentersaroundpoliciesatthelocalandgloballevel.Mostsupportreasonable,fairmarketplaceapproachesto

bringInternetaccesstothosestillunconnected.

StakeholdersrespondingtothisInternetgovernancesurveybelieveaccelerateddiffusionanddigitalinclusioncanbeachievedthroughglobalpoliciesandthatthisisthekeyareaforpolicymaking.Strongsupportforimprovingaccessthroughschoolsandeducationwasexpressedamongstakeholders.

Significantsupportwasalsoexpressedforestablishingglobalprotocolstoensurethesafetyofbusiness

transactionsontheInternet.ThisfindingsuggeststhatthecommercialapplicationsoftheInternetareastrongbasisforbuildingconsensusamongglobalstakeholdersonissuesofpolicy.Thesepoliciesarelikelytofindastronglevelofsupport,whereaspoliciesrelatedtoregulationofInternetcontentwillfind

theleastconsensus.

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GlobalpolicymakerswilllikelyfindstrongdebatearoundthebalancebetweenmaintainingasafeandsecureInternetandprotectingusers’civilliberties.Thesetensionsmightbeeasedbyadoptingaglobal

InternetBillofRights,aconceptthathasstrongsupportamongstakeholders.

WhenrespondentswereaskedwhichoftwotraditionalforcesshouldshapetheInternet’sfuture–marketplacedemandorgovernment‐mandatedpolicy,thevotewassplitfairlyevenly.Inaddition,whenrespondentswereaskedwhichprevioustechnologytheInternetmostresemblestheysaiditis

unique.TheseareindicatorssupportingtheideathatagovernanceformatdifferentfromthoseappliedtopreviouscommunicationstechnologiesisnecessarytobestshapefutureInternetpolicy.Themultistakeholdermodel,anedges‐informat,isemployedbyIGF,ICANN,theInternetSocietyandother

organizationsthatarebuildingthepoliciesandstructuresunderpinningtheInternetbycombininginputfromrepresentativesfromtherealmsofbusiness,technology,NGOs,academiaandcivilsociety–theedges.

Whilemostsurveyedstakeholderssayasystemismostinnovativeanddynamicifitremainsas

unregulatedaspossible(70%),athirdsaytheInternetwillnotprosperwithoutadditionalglobalpolicies.Unfortunately,themajorityalsobelievespublicpolicywillalwaysremainastepbehindduetoacceleratingtechnologicaldevelopment.Thismakesitmoreimportantnowthaneverbeforefor

engagedstakeholderstoworktoanticipatefutureneedsandconcernsinordertoachievepositiveoutcomesastheyscaletheInternetupwardtomeettheneedsofbillionsmoreuserswhileretaininganopen,safeenvironmentforinnovation,discourse,sharingandconnection.