IGF 2025 Open Forum #81 What Gets Measured Gets Addressed: How the US Measures Internet Use

Universal access and maximizing the Internet’s benefits are a top priority for the IGF and governments around the world, but efforts to close gaps in adoption suffer without the data to underlie evidence-based policymaking. Through this Open Forum, experts from the United States’ National Telecommunications and Information Administration will detail the agency’s ongoing efforts in its three-decade-long mission to measure Internet adoption and use to inform Internet policy. There will be sufficient time for questions and a robust discussion amongst participants.

How will you facilitate interaction between onside and online speakers and attendees? The in-person and remote moderators will facilitate interaction between speakers and attendees by alternating questions from remote and on-site participants. How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants? Based upon the assumption of stable connectivity at the IGF venue, as well as from remote participants, both the Open Forum agenda and the moderator will require speaker interventions, as well as attendee interventions, to alternate between “in-person” and “remote,” in order to promote a seamless hybrid environment for all participating. Please note any complementary online tools/platforms you plan to use to increase participation and interaction during the session:  The organizers will ensure that the remote and in-person moderators make maximum use of all features of whichever platform is provided by the IGF2025, to ensure participation and interaction during the session is maximized. We do not anticipate at this stage using multiple tools and platforms, as doing so may actually dilute interaction and participation during the session. However, we are open to suggestions from the MAG or IGF Secretariat.