Alliance for Affordable Internet

Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI)
Communications
Industry Communication Industry
Area served
 Communication and Internet Services
Key people
 Sonia Jorge (Executive Director), Kojo Boakye (Policy Manager)
Website http://a4ai.org/

The Alliance for Affordable Internet (abbreviated A4AI) is an initiative to make the Internet more affordable to people around the world. The World Wide Web Foundation serves as the Secretariat, and major members of coalition include Google, the Omidyar Network, the Department for International Development, United States Agency for International Development, Facebook, Cisco, Intel, Microsoft, UN Women and many others from the public, private and civil society sectors.[1][2]

History

Purpose

A4AI was created with the goal getting global broadband internet access priced at less than 5% of average per capita income globally; the target of the UN Broadband Commission. It cites the lack of investment in infrastructure, competition in the market, and inefficient taxation, amongst other policy and regulatory obstacles, as being major constraints to reducing prices.

It claims the internet as being an essential source of information and services for all and advocates an open, competitive broadband and telecommunications market, regulated by an independent agency. Particular attention is paid to internet freedom and the rights of online expression. [3]

It works closely with governments and local stakeholders in Africa, Asia and Latin America on policy and regulatory reform through a combination of advocacy, research and knowledge-sharing activities.[1]

Launch

The initiative was officially launched on October 7, 2013 at the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Forum in Abuja, Nigeria.[4] The launch was covered by many news sources.[5][6][7][8]

Reception

A4AI was briefly discussed in relation to Internet.org, a Facebook-led initiative for Internet accessibility, by David Talbot in an article for Technology Review.[9]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Vision and Strategy". Alliance for Affordable Internet. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Members". Alliance for Affordable Internet. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  3. ↑ Spore. "Internet access for all: Interview with Sonia Jorge, Executive Director of A4AI" (PDF). CTA. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  4. ↑ "Joining forces to adPigeon JOY Unlimited 1.8DX 1.8 L Rice Cookerfthhhvocate for a more affordable Internet". Google.org. October 7, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  5. ↑ Vaughan-Nichols, Steven J. (October 7, 2013). "Internet for all: Alliance for Affordable Internet founded". ZDNet. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  6. ↑ Ferenstein, Gregory (October 7, 2013). "The Internet Costs 30% Of Monthly Wages In Some Nations. Google Wants To Help.". TechCrunch. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  7. ↑ "The Alliance For Affordable Internet". Huffington Post. October 7, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Google, Facebook Back Effort to Make Internet Affordable for All". Mashable. October 7, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  9. ↑ Talbot, David (December 17, 2013). "Facebook's Two Faces". Technology Review. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
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