The Internet Society (ISOC) is a global non-profit organization that aims to ensure that the internet continues to grow and evolve as a platform for innovation, economic developmental and social progress for people around the world. As you can see from the image, the ISOC vision is “The Internet is for Everyone.”
The three main areas where the ISOC is active are Internet Policy, Technology Standards, and Development. The ISOC advises policymakers to keep the internet open to everyone and continue to support social progress, supports global open standards by funding the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), and back projects focused on building sustainable human, technical, and governance infrastructures.
Ericsson has been a member of the ISOC for a long time and was especially active in the creation of the Organization Members Advisory Council. Ericsson has also hosted several IETF meetings and has recently become part of the Global IETF Host program. Currently a platinum member of the ISOC, Ericsson actively backs open internet policies that aim to promote economic growth and is involved in the development of open standards in many fora, including the IETF. Ericsson's Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility activities and programs under the Technology for Good umbrella share many goals with the ISOC.
My immediate priorities as the new Chairman of the Board relate to the organization’s finances, perception and impact. I want to make sure the ISOC is in good financial health so as to fund its initiatives and the IETF has diverse and sustainable ways to finance itself. I want to help make the ISOC's activities as impactful as possible; understand how the ISOC is perceived by the internet community; and see to it that its success is measured by the positive impact it has on the internet community.
