Internet Governance Impact over BB access for all

1. Internet GovernanceImpact over BB access for all Ibaa Oueichek Syrian Telecom Est. Min. of Communications and Technology

2. What is IG ? • The Term “Internet Governance” (IG) is not easily defined. • A “safe” definition a la “WGIG” is : • Internet governance is the development and application by Governments, the private sector and civil society, in their respective roles, of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programs that shape the evolution and use of the Internet. • IGF is a forum which was set to “talk about” IG after the WSIS (should we say failure of IG efforts in WSIS known as WGIG?).

3. Motivation • Internet today IS broadband • Most “interesting” applications need broadband • Is it a coincidence that countries who have high penetration of BB enjoy high economic growth ? • National policies *DO* have a major role to play • GOAL : Deployment of large scale BB Internet *AND* transforming this into a social and economic development tool. • Question : Could this be reached ONLY through technological means ? • First response : No !! • كل الحق على الطليان => كل الحق على الآيكان !!

4. Provocation • Several issues related to BB development : Technology, business model, national policy, applications, PRICE, etc. • Even in advanced countries, national policies plays a major role in developing BB access • BUT, what about developing countries (US) ? • Even if we have the best technology, best business model , and best national policy, this may not be enough to make the breakthrough • Global IG issues, if unsolved, will remain a major obstacle into limiting bb access in developing countries.

5. IG vacuum • Some areas in the Internet are “over governed”. Mainly those which are under ICANN responsibility • Internet Domains : Impossible to create a new domain w/o ICANN agreement. • IP addresses : IPv4 @ are getting more and more scarce. ICANN/IANA/RIR (Go figure !!) are enforcing more and more restrictive measures for IP allocation. • Main problem : ICANN is “private sector led”, governments have only advisory role (GAC).

6. IG Crisis • Some areas are not covered by ANY governance : • Content : No way to block inappropriate content (NOT only related to cultural values, grey market VOIP could be considered as undesirable content, skype is simply SCARY and cannot even be blocked !!). • Security : No real consensus on cyber crime definition and how to fight against it. Example : currently there is no efficient way to block DDOS attacks, even US CERT suffered !! • Some people see this is good for Internet to stay w/o governance. • They are simply WRONG !!

7. Access • High cost for Internet Infrastructure • Mainly due by the long distance of cables to “hook” to the Internet. • But also by high Internet feed cost (we pay to connect with them, and they use the net to send us content we cannot control : grey market VOIP, SPAM, etc). • A new form of embargo from “new world order” restricting Internet access to countries which they don’t like !!

8. Components of solution • Make the case clear in forums, ask for preferential prices for Internet connectivity (after all, developed countries need also to expand the Internet). • Encourage local hosting of content. Needs real efforts in terms of reliability, performance, and price (local IXP). National policies and initiatives are to be encouraged. • Build “huge pipes” to the Internet to negotiate better prices (e.g : Regional NAPs in the Arab world). • Try to enforce better accounting rules where cost is shared by both sides of the connection. • Encourage “peering” between Arab countries and friends.

9. Multilingualism • The possibility to use the Internet in the native language of the user. • The Internet IS changing, no more an overwhelming majority of English speakers. • South Asian countries are leading the trend. • Two issues here : • Content • Internationalized domain names (IDN) • What is the use of a wonderful website if the user cannot type the URL easily ?

10. Multilingualism Source : http://www.internetworldstats.com/ 2nd Q 2008

11. IDN • Several years of “battle”, finally ICANN approved plans for IDN. • Two types of IDN : “fast track” for ccTLD, and full fledged procedure for gTLD IDNs. • Problem and concerns (will be sent to ICANN during public comments period) : • The gTLD process is open competition, too open !! • Published process doesn’t give rights to governments to object. • Definition of “community” is vague. • IDN is not tested enough to be deployed in gTLD : several problems identified within Arabic script (NOT language !!). • Fast track success is threatened by IDN gTLDs. • We talk about IDN but the whole process docs are in English • Public comments period is too short (45 days !!).

12. Recommendation on Domains • Regarding new TLDs, including IDN : • Use the current public period comments to ask ICANN for a clear right of governments to claim domains which represent national symbols (such as “.arab, .عربي”). • Go for it, make a request and let us have this domain. Ongoing effort, led by the LAS. • Work for a standard version of Arabic characters which could be SAFELY used to register domains. Ongoing effort, IETF information document, hopefully ITU standard, more to come !!

13. Critical resources • IPv4 @ space is almost depleted • Emerging countries facing enormous difficulties obtaining new @ • Routing tables are getting HUGE !! Mainly due to legacy distribution of @ • Process will get even more difficult with the last /8 being put under strict rationing • Worse : “rumors” that some entities which have a lot of IP addresses plan on auctioning them !!

14. Recommendation on addresses • Accelerate migration to IPv6, unfortunately there is no real Arab initiative in this side. • Lobby for a higher share of IPv4 @, dare we say “ask for ArabNIC”, esp. important for Asian Arab countries. • Lobby against auctioning current IPv4 @ by those who “own” them !! • Lobby for a faire share of IPv6 @ (there no such thing as “infinite”) !! • Support other developing countries in their claim for a better share of resources.

15. Conclusion • No doubt that large development of BB Internet is one of the major targets of any country. • IG issues should be addressed and not neglected because they impact seriously this development • Arab countries are trying to have a unified position : heading to Cairo IGF in 2009. Building a common position in front of (not against) ICANN. Working with other International organizations (ITU).

16. Thank you