Internet Governance in the Region past, present and future An example from Egypt

Transcription

1 Internet Governance in the Region past, present and future An example from Egypt Christine Arida

2 Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it. Winston Churchill Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past" MACHIAVELLI 2

3 Outline Egypt Internet Evolution 1 2 Early Internet Governance Experiences Internet Governance in the Region 3 4 Trends shaping the Future

4 History of Internet Development in Egypt Started and developed outside the formal telecommunication sector Government provided support at early stages Collaboration among government/ academia/private sector playing a major role in raising Internet awareness

5 Late 80 s Networking in Egypt paving the road for the Internet 1989 FRCU (the focal point of the EUN) connected to EARN via a leased line to Montpellier France (9.6Kb/s link) becoming main EARN node in Egypt and gateway to outside world of EARN/Bitnet Services included file transfer and using store & forward technique Main computer centers at 11 Egyptian universities connected to FRCU computer center and joining EARN as mail only node IDSC connected to FRCU through a 9.6Kb/s leased line to FRCU and becoming EARN node.eg cctld delegated to the EUN First IP address block in Egypt assigned to IDSC ( XXX.XXX)

6 Egypt Internet Evolution initial stages 1993 IP routers installed at IDSC & FRCU and connections migrated to TCP/IP Oct 1993: First Internet connection via the 9.6Kb/s link between EUN and France Limited community of users (~2000 mainly from Academia) 1994.EG domain policies - 4 main subdomains: Com Gov Sci EUN Sep 1994: UN international conference on population and development held in Cairo Raising gov awareness on Internet potential Gov funding to upgrade Internet link to 64Kbit/s (450,000 USD) Cooperation between IDSC, EUN and ARENTO (Telecom Egypt) to setup 1 st digital backbone for data communication in Egypt First spread of Internet services nationwide: IDSC/RITSEC offer Internet accounts free of charge to orgs (gov/ngo/private sector) Growth and geographic spread of Internet usage Dec 1994: Early regional cooperation RAITnet (technical/policy)

7 Egypt Internet Evolution initial stages 1993 IP routers installed at IDSC & FRCU and connections migrated to TCP/IP Oct 1993: First Internet connection via the 9.6Kb/s link between EUN and France Limited community of users (~2000 mainly from Academia) 1994.EG domain policies - 4 main subdomains: Com Gov Sci EUN Sep 1994: UN international conference on population and development.eg Egypt cctld held in Domain Cairo Name policy setting: Raising gov awareness on Internet potential Gov.EG funding registry to reaching upgrade out Internet to stakeholders link to 64Kbit/s (IDSC(450,000 RITSEC USD) Cooperation ENSTINET) between IDSC, EUN and ARENTO (Telecom Egypt) to setup Second 1 st digital level registration backbone for and data delegation communication in Egypt First Secondary spread of Internet DNS server services agreements nationwide: IDSC/RITSEC offer Internet accounts DNS registration free of charge policies to orgs and (gov/ngo/private process sector) Growth and geographic spread of Internet usage Dec 1994: Early regional cooperation RAITnet (technical/policy)

8 RAITnet Early Regional Networking Technical obstacles are part of the barriers to Internet growth in the region. Yet the Internet is still affected by other non-technical financial, political and cultural aspects. Main objectives: - Support the acceleration of the software industry in the region; - Maximize the utilization of the technical resource; - Help exchange experience among professionals in Information Technology; - To follow the state-of-the-art international developments in the related fields. Challenges: - Lack of public data networks - Incompatible transport facilities and proprietary protocols - Lack of standards for Arabization The Internet has been considered as the most suitable transport facility for regional networking Main beneficiaries: IT professionals in gov and non-gov agencies. Main services: list, regional gopher / WWW servers & discussion forum First time services in the region!!!

9 RAITnet Early Regional Networking Technical obstacles are part of the barriers to Internet growth in the region. Yet the Internet is still affected by other non-technical financial, political and cultural aspects. Main objectives: - Support the acceleration of the software industry in the region; - Maximize the utilization of the technical resource; - Help exchange experience among professionals in Information Technology; - To follow the state-of-the-art international developments in the related fields. Challenges: - Lack of public data networks - Incompatible transport facilities and proprietary protocols - Lack of standards for Arabization The Internet has been considered as the most suitable transport facility for regional networking Main beneficiaries: IT professionals in gov and non-gov agencies. Main services: list, regional gopher / WWW servers & discussion forum First time services in the region!!!

10 RAITnet Early Regional Networking Regional Seminars (Cairo & Tunis) to address different aspects: Technical Issues Infrastructure Upgrade Network Security Arabization Main objectives: - Support the acceleration of the software industry in the region; - Maximize the utilization of the technical resource; - Help exchange experience among professionals in Information Technology; - To follow the state-of-the-art international developments in the related fields. Technical obstacles are part of the barriers to Internet growth in the region. Yet the Internet is still affected by other non-technical financial, political and cultural aspects. Cultural Issues Language Barrier Open Environment Financial Issues Challenges: - Lack of public data networks - Incompatible transport facilities and proprietary Infrastructure protocols - Lack of Pricing standards for Arabization Future Issues The Internet has been considered as the Development of an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) most suitable transport facility for regional Cooperation between different networking sectors nationally Development of regional information servers covering areas of regional interest Main (e.g. beneficiaries: Tourism, IT professionals Culture,...) in gov and non-gov agencies. Coordination with international data carriers to develop a new tariff Main services: list, regional gopher structure for higher / WWW speed servers & discussion forum First time services in the region!!! Professional development of technical know-how

11 Egypt Internet Evolution initial stages Commercialization of Internet Services: landmark decision by government to establish open door policy for commercial Internet services 12 ISPs start operation Internet usage jumps to 50,000 in 1997 served by 20 ISPs and 250,000 in 1999 served by 50 ISPs The Internet Society of Egypt (ISE) is formed as an NGO Becomes the Egypt Chapter of the Internet Society (ISOC) 1999 Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) is formed Working groups of community veterans and industry experts at the newly established ministry ( ) to discuss Internet technology and policy National ICT initiatives: Free Internet ADSL (LLU) & Broadband PC for Every Home

12 Egypt Internet Evolution initial stages Commercialization of Internet Services: landmark decision by government to establish open door policy for commercial Internet services 12 ISPs start operation Internet usage jumps to 50,000 in 1997 served by 20 ISPs and 250,000 in 1999 served by 50 ISPs The Internet Society of Egypt (ISE) is formed as an NGO Becomes the Egypt Chapter of the Internet Society (ISOC) 1999 Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) is formed Working groups of community veterans and industry experts at the newly established ministry ( ) to discuss Internet technology and policy National ICT initiatives: Free Internet ADSL (LLU) & Broadband PC for Every Home

13 Egypt Internet Evolution initial stages Commercialization of Internet Services: landmark decision by government to establish open door policy for commercial Internet services 12 ISPs start operation Internet usage jumps to 50,000 in 1997 served by 20 ISPs and 250,000 in 1999 served by 50 ISPs The Internet Society of Egypt (ISE) is formed as an NGO Becomes the Egypt Chapter of the Internet Society (ISOC) 1999 Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) is formed Working groups of community veterans and industry experts at the newly established ministry ( ) to discuss Internet technology and policy National ICT initiatives: Free Internet ADSL (LLU) & Broadband PC for Every Home

14 Internet Society of Egypt embracing multi-stakeholder governance in the 90s Established in 1996 as a Non-profit organization of professional individuals and institutions dedicated to promoting, managing, and facilitating the use of Internet in Egypt 15 BoD members elected by the society GA & spanning government private sector academia Provide community leadership to address key issues on the role and use of the Internet & increase awareness of Internet usage nationwide Internet Society of Egypt Your own text goes here

15 Internet Society of Egypt embracing multi-stakeholder governance in the 90s Established in 1996 as a Non-profit organization of professional individuals and institutions dedicated to promoting, managing, and facilitating the use of Internet Internet in societal Egypt awareness Internet use code of ethics ISPs subcommittee (define ground for 15 BoD members commercial elected relation by the with incumbent) society GA & Professional spanning government competence and skills development private sector academia Liaison with international bodies Provide community leadership to address key issues on the role and use of the Internet & increase awareness of Internet usage nationwide Internet Society of Egypt Your own text goes here

16 Internet Growth Induced by Multi- Stakeholder Cooperation January 2002, the Free Internet Initiative is launched by MCIT in cooperation with TE and ISPs, providing access to the Internet across country at the same price as a local phone call, with specific prefixes ( ) April 2002, Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) is introduced by NTRA ISPs allowed to share the local loop with the incumbent TE to provide broadband Internet access using ADSL technology November 2002, the PC For Every Home Initiative is launched by MCIT in cooperation with Telecom Egypt and Banque Misr, allowing citizens to buy computers with monthly installments and access low-cost Internet services September 2004, the first broadband initiative is announced by MCIT & NTRA in cooperation with ISPs Internet access prices are reduced by 50%

17 Internet Masr Egypt s ISOC Chapter Revived 2011 Co-founders group getting together: Bi-laws and legal documentation First official founders meeting and election of first temporary board 2012 Incorporation as civil society under law 84/ Chartered by ISOC as the Internet Society Egypt Chapter First ordinary election of Board

18 Internet Masr Egypt s ISOC Chapter Revived Represent the voice of Egypt s Internet community at national, regional and international levels, and to build bridges amongst local Internet Role stakeholders from individuals, business, government, civil society and Co-founders group academia. getting together: Bi-laws and legal documentation Incorporation as civil society under First official Serve founders as ameeting platformand fostering engagement law 84/2002 in community efforts to Mission election of promote first temporary the Internet board as a key tool for empowering the Egyptian society. Use of the Internet to develop Egypt s economy and knowledge-based 2013 society 2016 Promotes Internet access all over the country and across all sectors of the society Online freedom of expression and free flow of information Chartered Development by ISOC as the of Internet Internet and technology First ordinary relatedelection skills of Board Society Egypt Chapter Raise awareness and develop local capacities on Internet technical and policy issues Strategic Influence Internet policy making and related national legislations and Objectives regulations Platform for community exchange on Internet Connect to relevant international Internet fora

19 Internet Masr Egypt s ISOC Chapter Revived Represent the voice of Egypt s Internet community at national, regional and international levels, and to build bridges amongst local Internet Role 2011 Activities: 2012 stakeholders from individuals, business, government, civil society and Co-founders Quarterly group academia. getting public together: seminars on hot issues (blockchain, Bi-laws Internet and legal service documentation in Egypt, cyber Incorporation crime legislation, as civil society OTT, under First official Serve founders as ameeting platformand fostering engagement law 84/2002 in community efforts to Mission Egypt election of promote as Internet first temporary the Internet exchange board as a key tool hub, forinnovations empowering thein Egyptian society. education, privacy & digital security, cybersecurity Use of the Internet to develop Egypt s economy and knowledge-based 2013 regulation) society 2016 Promotes IPv6 Internet five-day access training all over program the countrywith and across AFRINIC all sectors of the society Online freedom of expression and free flow of information Chartered Contest Development by ISOC for as best the of Internet Arabic Internet and local technology content First ordinary relatedelection skills of Board Bi-monthly Society Egypt Chapter Raise awareness hangouts and develop local capacities on Internet technical and ISOC policy 25th issues anniversary node Strategic Influence Internet policy making and related national legislations and Objectives regulations Platform for community exchange on Internet Connect to relevant international Internet fora

20 from a regional perspective

21 The League of Arab States Council of ICT Ministers & Inter-governmental expert groups Arab Working Group on Internet Issues (formerly on Domain Names) reporting to the Standing Committee on ICT of the Arab Telecommunications and Information Council of Ministers Endorsement for the project to link Arab Internet networks by the Arab Economic, Development and Social Summit (Jan 2011).) عرب - (.Arab Arab TLDs project Arab Regulators Network founded Apr 2003 discussing topics including: OTTs Internet Infrastructure IXPs Cloud Computing IoT

22 Preparations for Tunis ( ) A proposal from Tunisia at the ITU PP 98 Membership from the region at the WGIG: Egypt - Iran - Jordan - Pakistan Saudi Arabia - Tunisia WSIS Regional WSIS coordination Arab Working Group on Regional Preparation for WSIS Divergence of views within the region regarding the Internet Governance debate

23 >>>>>>>>> The Pre-ArabIGF Phase Consultations at IGF Sharm El Sheikh 2009 on ESCWA Study: Internet Governance: Challenges and Opportunities for ESCWA Member Countries >>>>>>>>> Multi-stakeholder Consultation on the Launch of Arab IGF (Beirut, Jan 2012) Outcome blessed by Arab ICT Ministers Multi-stakeholder Expert Group on Arab IG Roadmap (Beirut, October 2010) LAS/ESCWA Initiative: Call by Arab Stakeholders: towards actualization of Arab cooperation Call upon Arab ICT Ministers to launch Arab IGF

24 The Arab IGF Established in 2012 under the joint umbrella of the League of Arab States (LAS), and ESCWA Technical Secretariat at NTRA Egypt Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group (AMAG) to coordinate the Forum program Meetings AIGF-1: Kuwait, 2012 Hosted by the Kuwait Information Technology Society AIGF-2: Algiers, 2013 Hosted by Algerian Ministry of Post & ICT AIGF-3: Beirut, 2014 Hosted by Ogero Telecom AIGF-4: Beirut, 2015 Hosted by ESCWA Reform activities : lead by ESCWA & LAS AIGF-5 TBD

25 ITU Areas of Regional Focus Various views in the region on the role of ITU in the Internet era OTT Recommendation IP addresses (IPv6) WG-Internet IoT identifiers International Telecoms Regulation Treaty (WCIT Dubai 2012)

26 ICANN Middle East Strategy 3-Year MEAC Strategy July June 2019 (Phase ) Multi-stakeholder working group (58 members & 18 observers) Mission: Attract more active and engaged participants from the region to contribute to ICANN's policy development processes and to acquire leading roles within the ICANN community. Strategic Focus Areas Secure, stable, and resilient DNS infrastructure in the region Healthy and competitive domain name marketplace Clarify ICANN's role in an evolving Internet ecosystem through engagement with the MEAC community

27 ICANN Middle East Strategy DNS Forum 3-Year MEAC Strategy July June 2019 (Phase ) Multi-stakeholder working group (58 members & 18 observers) Middle East Space at ICANN Meetings Mission: Attract more active and engaged Key participants from the region to contribute to ICANN's policy development Outcomes processes and to acquire leading roles DNS Webinars tailored to within the ICANN community. Entrepreneurship specific SO/AC members Secure, stable, and resilient DNS infrastructure in the region Middle East Readout Sessions after every ICANN meeting Academic Engagement Partnership with Tunisia Annual Middle East Strategic Focus Areas Healthy and competitive domain name marketplace DNSSEC Train-the- Trainer Annual MEAC School on Internet Governance Capacity Development Programs covering Technical, Business, Marketing, and Legal aspects of the DNS Industry Task Force on Arabic Script IDNs (TF-AIDN) Center (partnership with NTRA in Egypt) Clarify ICANN's role in an evolving Internet ecosystem through engagement with the MEAC community

28 ISOC Chapters in the Region 12 ISOC Chapters from the region with a total of 4516 member Study by ISOC on Digital Opportunities for the Middle East based on community consultation and launched at ICANN60 in Abou Dhabi Middle East Chapters Workshops once a year

29 National IGFs and National SIGs Tunisia School on Internet Governance

30 Trends shaping the future Internet Governance Fake News Content Policies?? Privacy of Personal Data Taxation Localization Issues??

31 Trends shaping the future Increasing concerns about effectiveness and scalability of multistakeholder models Increasing geopolitical and technical risks of fragmentation Increasing pressure to integrate human rights, privacy, and law enforcement into governance mechanisms Increasing risks on security both physical and cyber Increasing government intervention via legislation into the Internet ecosystem

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