This year's *OneWebDay <http://onewebday.org/>* celebration has picked up the theme of *Connecting the Next Billion*. This aligns with current *Internet Governance Forum* (IGF) Intersessional Programme *“Policy Options for Connecting the Next Billion <http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/policy-options-for-connection-the-next-billion>”*. It is considered by the e IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) that, while 3 billion are estimated to be online in 2015, “more effort is necessary in order to connect the next billion and to address the digital divide” and “Collaboration between governmental and non-governmental actors is key to meet this challenge.” It is felt that the tried and trusted multistakeholder approach, as exemplified by the IGF, is the only practical method to bring all shoulders to the wheel. 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 <http://a4ai.org/affordability-report/report/#policies,_regulations_and_programmes_for_stimulating_affordable_access>* from the *Alliance for an Affordable Internet <http://a4ai.org/>* (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 <https://youtu.be/rLgF6KjhDZY>* (captions available) *Prepared text*: *http://www.state.gov/e/rls/rmk/245011.htm <http://www.state.gov/e/rls/rmk/245011.htm>* *Verbatim transcript*: *http://isoc-ny.org/usaigf15/08-igf-usa2015-novelli.pdf <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 <https://youtu.be/3ACLPigSZ5o>* (captions available) *Verbatim transcript*: *http://isoc-ny.org/usaigf15/09-igf-usa2015-billion.pdf <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 <https://twitter.com/search?q=%23onewebday&src=typd>* and *#thenextbillion <https://twitter.com/search?q=%23thenextbillion&src=typd>*. 2) Participate in/contribute to the IGF Policy development process by *making a written contribution <http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/policy-options-for-connection-the-next-billion#make-a-written-contribution>* Here is one last video – *Constance Bommelaer*, Senior Director, Global Internet Policy, at the Internet Society, speaking about the "Next Billions" at the African Internet Governance Forum on September 7 . Constance summarizes the theme, and cogently connects it with the various other major policy processes underway such as the WSIS+10 review. She appeals, as we do, for stakeholders to engage in the IGF intersessional policy options development, noting this is the first time that the IGF community has worked between meetings to bring not only best practices, but definitive frameworks that can enhance private and public efforts to improve access via technical, policy, and educational aspects. (19 mins) *View on YouTube*: https://youtu.be/czAFnU0nGAA *Download audio*: http://isoc-ny.org/misc/the_next_billion_constance_bommelaer.mp3 -- --------------------------------------------------------------- Joly MacFie 218 565 9365 Skype:punkcast -------------------------------------------------------------- -