IGF 2012 Workshop Proposal :: (No: 72) Broadband Measurement and Metrics for a Sustainable Internet

Status:

IGF Theme(s) for workshop: Managing Critical Internet Resources

Main theme question address by workshop: What IG choices, best practices and technical and policy challenges impact the migration of resources starting to run over IP

Concise description of the proposed workshop:

The Internet has been a driver for economic development globally. To continue to maintain and grow the Internet as a force for economic and social development, it is essential to understand broadband networks. Without good data on network performance, regulators, industry leaders, and consumers are operating in the dark. They are unable to responsibly make the decisions that will ensure a sustainable, healthy Internet. Broadband networks are hugely complex, decentralized, and dynamic. Because of this, a clear understanding of network health requires new approaches from all stakeholders, and a new paradigm of collaboration between industry, academia, and government that can draw on the expertise of each to ensure that this complex and crucial resource is maintained, and that decisions are made based on sound, scientific data.

During this workshop a diverse panel of stakeholders will examine the state of broadband measurement, data collection, and meaningful analysis. The themes discussed will range from the technical challenges of broadband measurement, to new regulatory approaches for using and communicating available data, to new models for consumer education and empowerment around broadband performance. Existing broadband measurement solutions will be discussed, along with ideas on the future of measurement and data-based understanding of network performance.

Background Paper:

 

Name of the organiser(s) of the workshop and their affiliation to various stakeholder groups:

  • This workshop is being hosted by Meredith Whittaker at Google, although the project and interest relates to Google’s collaboration with academic researchers and with government bodies that measure broadband performance.

Have you, or any of your co-organisers, organised an IGF workshop before?: Yes

Please provide link(s) to workshop(s) or report(s):

Report is at the bottom of the Workshop description: http://goo.gl/A5UJ7

 

Provide the names and affiliations of the panellists you are planning to invite:

  • Meredith Whittaker, Program Manager, Google Research (Moderator)
  • Thomas Gideon, Sr. Staff Technologist, New America Foundation (US) (Confirmed)
  • Serge Fdida, Professor, Network and Performance Group, University Pierre et Marie Curie (France) (Confirmed)
  • Timur Friedman, Professor, Department of Engineering, University Pierre et Marie Curie (France) (Confirmed)
  • Harald Wium Lie, Senior Analyst, Nexia (Norway) (Confirmed)
  • Nikolaos Tsarmpopoulos, Helenic Post and Telecommunication Commission (Greece) (Confirmed)

We will confirm at least one of the following additional panelists:

  • Ragnar Anfinsen, Senior Architect CPE, Altibox (Norway) (Invited)
  • Joe McNamee, Advocacy Coordinator, European Digital Rights (Brussels) (Invited)
  • Marzena Lipman, Digital Policy Manager, Consumer Focus (UK) (Invited)

 

Name of Remote Moderator(s):

Sarah Falvey, Google