Internet Society Disappointed over Fundamental Divides at World Conference on International Telecommunications

Statement from the Internet Society CEO and President, Lynn St. Amour:

Dubai, 14.12.2012 – The Internet Society, like other participants at the World Conference on International Telecommunications, came to this conference looking for a successful outcome.  We were hopeful that it would result in a treaty that would enable growth, further innovation, and advance interoperability in international telecommunications.  It was extremely important that this treaty not extend to content, or implicitly or explicitly undermine the principles that have made the Internet so beneficial.

While progress was made in some areas such as transparency in international roaming fees, fundamental divides were exposed leaving a significant number of countries unable to sign the ITRs. Statements made by a host of delegations today made it very clear that Internet issues did not belong in the ITRs and that they would not support a treaty that is inconsistent with the multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance.

We are disappointed that the conference has not been successful in reaching consensus. The Internet Society is dedicated to working with all stakeholders around the world to create the environment that will allow the Internet to grow for the betterment of all people.