Foundation – The APNIC Foundation

TOWARDS A GLOBAL, OPEN, STABLE AND SECURE INTERNET THAT IS AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE ENTIRE ASIA PACIFIC COMMUNITY.

The Internet is now an essential fact of life, providing employment, livelihood, health, education, access to government services, and much more for billions of people.

But among the Asia Pacific’s 4.3 billion people, the total Internet adoption rate remains below half of the total population at 48.4%. By 2023, it’s estimated this will increase to 72% (3.1 billion users), leaving more than a quarter of region’s population still disconnected.

A ‘digital divide’ exists not only between the ‘connected’ and the ‘unconnected’, but between those who enjoy dependable, fast, secure services and those who do not, with serious implications for efforts to achieve sustainable social and
economic development in the region.

A key challenge is cost – the Internet needs to be more affordable, so low income earners don’t have to choose between connectivity and less food on the table.

With reliable, affordable and secure access to a quality Internet, billions of people can be healthier, better educated, and more productive members of society.

The growth and development of the Internet across the Asia Pacific is at a critical juncture: we have the opportunity now to boost investment in building capacity (both people and infrastructure) to foster an open, stable and secure Internet, accessible to all.