The problem of fragmentation of the global network and the possible consequences of this trend was the subject of discussion among experts at the session “Fight for the Internet: Who Sleeps, Loses” held within the scope of the UN Internet Governance Forum. It takes place in Japan. This was reported by the Russian Center for Global IT Cooperation, which organized the session.
According to Olga Makarova, director of the commercial resource management department of MTS PJSC, who attended the event, according to the theory of economist Carlota Perez, every technological revolution follows the same cycle: a large amount of money and ideas are followed. After a turning point, the state enters the regulatory process, followed by synergy and maturity It’s coming.
“We certainly don’t want lots of fragmented local areas to replace the global internet. Yes, even now the Internet is not an integrated structure, but at the same time its individual components remain interconnected,” said Makarova.
In contrast, Vadim Glushchenko, director of the Global IT Cooperation Center, reminded that substantive discussions on the issue of fragmentation at the Internet Governance Forum started in Germany in 2019.
Glushchenko said that as a solution to the problem, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed the creation of a global digital agreement.
“It is difficult to say at the moment whether the agreement will help stop the fragmentation of the Internet, but it is quite capable of formulating universal rules and principles for the decentralized development of national parts of the Internet,” he said. Global IT Collaboration Center.
OpenLink Group President Milos Jovanovic raised the issue of sovereignty of the digital space, advising market players to produce equipment and create software on their own in order to have technological sovereignty and not be dependent on external players.
Summing up the event, Roman Chukov, chairman of the board of the Global IT Cooperation Center, emphasized that the world community should seek the opinion of the Global South on fragmentation issues.
“We are trying to avoid a situation where fragmentation in developing countries is caused by a lack of technology and critical infrastructure. To do this, it is necessary to promote international cooperation to ensure that all countries have the necessary equipment to maintain a stable Internet connection,” Chukov concluded.