In a keynote speech at the USA IGF in July 2015, United States Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Catherine Novelli ably summed up this point of view, quoting a 2014 report from the Alliance for an Affordable Internet (A4AI) that delineated four critical aspects that any Government should consider as drivers of broadband expansion and affordable access: First, drive broadband infrastructure expansion through increased private investment and removal of barriers; Second, intensify competition and level the playing field to increase access, reduce cost and stimulate demand; Third, open access and infrastructure sharing; and fourth, enable access to spectrum. There’s no quick slogan here, but if any the unifying principal is OPEN ACCESS.
So for OneWebDay 2015, it is suggested that you review, and discuss Ms. Novelli’s remarks (24 mins),
View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rLgF6KjhDZY (captions available)
Prepared text: http://www.state.gov/e/rls/rmk/245011.htm
Verbatim transcript: http://isoc-ny.org/usaigf15/08-igf-usa2015-novelli.pdf
FURTHER VIEWING: At the IGF USA this was followed by a panel with reps from USAID, Facebook, Google, Comcast, A4AI, & the Internet Society who expanded on the Connecting the Next Billion theme (60 mins):
View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3ACLPigSZ5o (captions available)
Verbatim transcript: http://isoc-ny.org/usaigf15/09-igf-usa2015-billion.pdf
ACTION: So, what can you do?
1) Post, link to, and discuss the themes above, in particular drawing them to the attention of your local regulators. Use hashtags #onewebday and #thenextbillion.
2) Participate in/contribute to the IGF Policy development process by making a written contribution
Here is one last video – Constance Bommelaer, Senior Director, Global Internet Policy, at the Internet Society, speaking
View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/czAFnU0nGAA