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Policy Network on Internet Fragmentation

 

Introduction

The IGF Policy Network on Internet Fragmentation (PNIF) focusses on policy, technical, legal and regulatory measures that threaten the open, interconnected, and interoperable nature of the Internet. The PNIF, an IGF intersessional activity, emerged from a community effort led by a multistakeholder coalition of civil society, business and technical organizations. The PNIF aims to raise awareness of actions and measures that risk fragmenting the Internet and serve as a platform tor fostering dicussions on how avoid such fragmentation.

PNIF Framework for Discussing Fragmentation

The PNIF Framework for Discussing Fragmentation was developed bottom-up through discussions held in 2022 and 2023. Its overall goal is to serve as a general guiding and guiding tool for continuing the dialogue about fragmentation, engaging more people and stakeholders in a holistic and inclusive debate. Simultaneously, it aims to create a space for focused discussions, and working towards concrete solutions, policy approaches and guidelines to avoind Internet fragmentation.  The framework conceptualises three key dimesions of fragmentation: Fragmentation of the Internet user experience, Fragmentation of the Internet's technical layer, and Fragmentation of Internet governance and coordination. (link)

PNIF 2024 activities

PNIF Webinar 1 - Avoiding Internet Fragmentation. Still a matter of concern in 2024?

When the PNIF launched in 2022, it was strongly inspired by the UN Secretary General's call to address 'avoiding fragmentation of the Internet' in the Global Digital Compact (GDC). Two years later, with ongoing preparations for the GDC and the upcoming WSIS+20 discussions, the PNIF seeks to evaluate how this call is being followed up and how the PNIF platform and framework can be most effective in fostering holistic and inclusive discussions on fragmentation, thereby reflecting on and contributing to these critical dialogues.

 

PNIF Webinar 2 - tentative date 1 October 13:00-14:30 UTC - registration link

 

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participate All interested stakeholders can join an open dedicated mailing list and take active participation through regular meetings and others means of collaboration. ‎ The PNIF 2024 proposal was confirmed at the IGF 2024 MAG Meeting, 28-29 February 2024, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Within the PNIF is a Multistakeholder Working Group of experts which ‎supports transforming community’s expressed views into concrete actions, such as outputs and actionable next steps.

 

 
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Background and PNIF activities 2022-2023

PNIF Framework for Discussing Internet Fragmentation

The PNIF's Framework for Discussing Fragmentation was developed through bottom-up and collaborative work in 2022 and 2023. The overall goal of the framework is to serve as a general guiding and orienting tool for continuing the dialogue about fragmentation and bringing in more people and stakeholders, allow a more holistic and inclusive debate, and at the same time create a space for focused discussion and work towards concrete solutions, policy approaches and guidelines.

 

PNIF Framework for Discussing Internet Fragmentation

The Policy Network and PNIF Framework for Discussing Fragmentation got noticed!  References to and comments on the PNIF work:

  • Nakayama Shapiro, M., Kumar, S. 2024. "Internet Fragmentation and Human Rights: How to counter threaths to an open interoperable and global Internet.' Global Partners Digital. url
  • Sabbah, C.Y., Sharabi, M. 2023. "States as labatories of democracy in the international sphere: harnessing an "experimentation approach" to address internet fragmentation." The Federmann Cyber Security Research Center. 10 May. url .
  • IGF Leadership Panel. 2023. "Contribution to Consultation on the Global Digital Compact.' url.

PNIF 2023 activities

Policy Network Internet Fragmentation - 2023 output report

IGF 2023 PNIF - Summary     IGF 2023 PNIF - Report

Highlights PNIF Activities 2023

PNIF Outreach

 

PNIF Discussion Paper (input IGF2023) & Call for Feedback

18 September 2023, 14:30 UTC,  Launch PNIF Call for feedback 

What ?   PNIF Discussion Paper (input IGF 2023) - Call for community feedback

How?  Send your feedback to PNIF-2023 /at/ intgovforum.org 

Deadline? preferred deadline Sunday 1 October  (allows that your input feeds into the session at IGF2023.  (final deadline 10 Oct)

Links

PNIF Discussion paper - download

Overview of received feedback - link

 
PNIF 2023 coordination call working groups

3 August, 14:00-15:00 UTC

  • meeting recording
  • summary

[draft agenda]

1. Discussion on the practical approach and timelines for the three working groups that are further exploring the governance and coordination, user experience, and technical layer dimension of Internet fragmentation. 

3. AoB and next steps

 

[discussants]

 

[moderation and coordination]

Ms Sheetal Kumar, PNIF co-coordinator, Ms Bruna Martins dos Santos, PNIF MAG co-coordinator, Mr Wim Degezelle IGF Consultant PNIF.

 

PNIF 2023 Webinar 3 - Internet Technical Layer

27 June, 12:00-13:30 UTC

[draft agenda]

1. Welcome & introductions - Brief overview of the PNIF and PNIF Framework for Discussing Internet Fragmentation

2. Internet Fragmentation -  Technical Layer

  • question 1: Unpacking - Fragmentation of the Internet Technical Layer: What is it? What is it not?
  • question 2: Prioritizing - Which manifestations of this type of fragmentation pose the highest risk and should be avoided or addressed?
  • question 3: Addressing - What practices, guidelines, and principles could help to address/prevent fragmentation of the Internet Technical Layer?

3. Conclusion and next steps

 

[discussants]

Mr Olaf Kolkman (Internet Society), Ms Mirja Kühlewind (IAB)

[moderation and coordination]

Ms Sheetal Kumar, PNIF co-coordinator, Ms Bruna Martins dos Santos, PNIF MAG co-coordinator, Mr Wim Degezelle IGF Consultant PNIF.

 

PNIF 2023 Webinar 2 - Internet User Experience

24 May 2023, 17:00 - 18:30 UTC

[draft agenda]

1. Welcome & introductions - Brief overview of the PNIF and PNIF Framework for Discussing Internet Fragmentation

2. Internet Fragmentation -  User Experience

  • question 1: Unpacking - Fragmentation of the Internet User Experience: What is it? What is it not?
  • question 2: Prioritizing - Which manifestations of this type of fragmentation pose the highest risk and should be avoided or addressed?
  • question 3: Addressing - What practices, guidelines, and principles could help to address fragmentation of Internet User Experience?

3. Conclusion and next steps

 

[discussants]

Ms Farzaneh Badii, Ms Marielza Oliveira, Mr Zach Rosson.

[moderation and coordination]

Ms Sheetal Kumar, PNIF co-coordinator, Ms Bruna Martins dos Santos, PNIF MAG co-coordinator, Mr Wim Degezelle IGF Consultant PNIF.

 

PNIF 2023 Webinar 1 - Internet Governance and Coordination

16 May 2023, 13:00-14:30 UTC

 

[draft agenda]

The first of three webinars on the three dimensions in the Internet Fragmentation discussion that were conceptuallised in last year's PNIF Framework for Discussing Internet Fragementation.

1. Welcome & introductions - Brief overview of the PNIF and PNIF Framework for Discussing Internet Fragmentation

2. Internet Fragmentation - Internet Governance and Coordination

  • question 1: Unpacking - Fragmentation of Internet Governance and Coordination: What is it? What is it not?
  • question 2: Prioritizing - Which manifestations of this type of fragmentation pose the highest risk and should be avoided or addressed?
  • question 3: Addressing - What practices, guidelines, and principles could help to address fragmentation of Internet goverance and coordination?

3. Conclusion and next steps

 

[discussants]

Ms Anriette Esterhuysen, Dr Wolfgang Kleinwächter, Ms Susan Ness, Ms Raquel Gatto.

[moderation and coordination]

Ms Sheetal Kumar, PNIF co-coordinator, Ms Bruna Martins dos Santos, PNIF MAG co-coordinator, Mr Wim Degezelle IGF Consultant PNIF.
PNIF 2023 Kickoff call 

26 April 2023, 14:00-15:00 UTC

[agenda]

1. Welcome & introductions

2. PNIF 2022 and PNIF framework for discussing fragmentation

3. Plan for 2023

4. Outreach and engagement opportunities

5. AoB and Next steps

PNIF proposal 2023

 

[moderation and coordination]

Ms Sheetal Kumar, PNIF co-coordinator, Ms Bruna Martins dos Santos, PNIF co-coordinator. 

 

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PNIF 2022 activities

PNIF Workshop at IGF 2022 

30 November 2022, 06:30-08:00 am UTC

[draft agenda]

1.  Welcome

2.  The Policy Network on Internet Fragmentation - introduction

3.  Towards a framework for discussing internet fragmentation.

3.1.  Unpacking the draft framework

3.2.  Town hall discussion on internet fragmentation and the draft framework

3.3.  Summary of the discussion and input for the Main session

4. Looking forward - next steps for the PNIF

[discussants]

Ms Mazuba Haanyama, Head of Human rights Policy, Africa Middle East & Turkey, Meta; Ms Nawal Omar, Researcher at ICT Africa; Mr Olaf Kolkman, Principal at Internet Society; Mr Túlio César Mourthé de Alvim Andrade, Deputy Head, Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

[moderation and coordination]

Ms Sheetal Kumar, PNIF co-coordinator, Ms Bruna Martins dos Santos, PNIF co-coordinator, Mr Wim Degezelle, IGF consultant PNIF. 

 
 
PNIF Working meeting - draft PNIF Internet fragmentation framework

14 November 2022, 15:30-17:00 UTC

[agenda]

The PNIF working meeting will discuss and further refine the PNIF Internet fragmentation framework that emerged from the PNIF webinars and prepare it to feed into PNIF session at the IGF. 

  1. Welcome and introduction, purpose of the framework. 
  2. Open discussion on the drat PNIF Internet fragmentation framework
  3. Conclusion and next steps

[draft PNIF Internet fragmentation framework]

The general goal of the PNIF IF framework is to serve as a general guiding/orienting document paving the way to inclusive and focused discussions about solutions and policy approaches to the issue of Internet fragmentation. 

Elements of the draft framework are:

  • Fragmentation of the user experience
  • Technical layer fragmentation
  • The 'in-between' (eg where technical development tends towards or away from fragmentation of the user experience)
  • Internet governance / coordination fragmentation
PNIF Webinar II - What can be done about Internet Fragmentation, and who should be doing what ?

27 October 2022, 13:30-15:30 UTC

[agenda]

  1. Welcome and introduction. 
    • Summary and key takeaways of the 1st webinar.
  2. Avoiding internet fragementation - Bringing everyone on the same page.
    1. Towards common principles all stakeholders can agree about 
      • Input from the 1st webinar: The internet has never been not fragmented and varying levels of fragmentation are consistent with the development of the internet. However severe fragmentation that causes malfunctioning or breaking the internet is inconsistent with the ideal of an open interoperable internet that respects human rights and allows for critical access. 
      • questions: What are common principles or a common minimal denominator all stakeholders can and should agree about? 
    2. Achieving policy goals without interfering with the Internet's operability
      • Input from the 1st webinar:  Fragmentation can be caused by technical, governmental or commercial practices. There's a need for further and precise discussion about fragmentation, practices and what should or shouldn't be done, including a dialogue on how legitimate goals can be achieved without interfering with the internet's operability.
      • questions: What are examples of practices to achieve policy goals that are good alternatives to existing actives that risk to affect the interoperability of the internet?
    3. Role of multilateral and multistakeholder spaces, including the IGF
      • input from the 1st webinar:  Both multilateral and multistakeholder spaces are relevant and have their own role to play. That the narrative of fragmentation is becoming mainstream and its discourse interwoven with security and competition concerns is a worrying evolution that may impact multilateral cooperation and the multistakeholder model supporting the open interoperable internet.
      • questions: What are priorities for the different stakeholders?  What concerns should be addressed where?  
  3. Summary and key takeaways from the 2nd webinar
  4. Looking forward to IGF 2022  

[discussants and moderators]

Discussants: Mr John Hughes, Mr Greg Nojeim, Ms Tatiana Tropina (additional discussants tbc). Moderators: Ms Sheetal Kumar, Ms Bruna Martins dos Santos.
PNIF Webinar I - 

What does Internet fragementation mean to you ?  Identifying fragmentation and key stakeholders.

15 Sepembter 2022,  13:00-15:00 UTC

[agenda]

  1. Welcome and PNIF introduction -
    • Introduction of the PNIF
    • Setting the scene: Avoiding fragmentation of the Internet is one of the complex digital issues the UN Secretary-General recommends addressing in the Global Digital Compact.
  2. What does Internet fragmentation mean to you
    1. Question 1: there are different approaches to defining and classifying fragmentation.  For policy makers it is important to understand concrete concerns.
      • What are concrete examples where technical, commercial or policy measures lead to fragmentation of the Internet? Why are these examples of concern? How does this measure or practice lead to fragmentation (i.e. what layer does it affect)? How does this impact people’s experience with the Internet? What are further-reaching impacts, e.g. on society?
    2. Question 2: Which parts or layers of the Internet are facing the greatest threat?
    3. Question 3:  What kind of response is needed from policymakers and other stakeholders.
      • Who should be doing what ? What are the possible actions required of different stakeholders ( Governments, Private sector, Technical community, Academia, Civil Society, International Treaty Organisations). What kind of guiding principles are needed?
  3. Wrap up and next steps
    1. Follow-up call:  Avoiding fragmentation of the internet: concrete actions, best practices and principles.

[discussants and moderators]

Discussants: Ms Allie Funk, Ms Anriette Esterhuysen, Ms Carolina Hippolito vor der Weid, Ms Farzaneh Badii, Mr Kevin Kohler, Mr Konstantinos Komaitis. Moderators: Ms Sheetal Kumar, Ms Time Suto
Survey  -  what does internet fragmentation mean to you?

The purpose of the survey is to understand, within the community, the different views of what internet fragmentation is, how it is manifesting and what existing work on understanding this phenomenon exists.

Please find the survey here:  https://forms.gle/A8G74vMLgf5hvqa37

The results of the survey will feed into a series of discussion calls we are planning for this Policy Network in the months of September and October, each which will look at the topic of internet fragmentation and also into the PNIF's report to the IGF this year.

 
PNIF Activities

Subscribe to the PNIF mailing list :  All interested stakeholders are most welcome to subscribe through this link.

Join the Policy Network Internet Fragmentation meetings
webpage of the Policy Network Multistakeholder Working Group of experts