Global Internet Report 2014 - Open and Sustainable Access for All

Against a backdrop of relentless growth, the Internet continues to change and evolve. It is remarkable that only in 2004 did fixed broadband connections exceed dial-up access, the number of users only exceeded one billion late in 2005, or that the first smartphone was only introduced in 2007. This report focuses on the open and sustainable Internet – what benefits it brings, and how to overcome threats that prevent users from enjoying the full benefits, and what keeps non-users from going online in the first place. Given the rapid pace of change, it is important to solidify and spread the benefits of the open Internet, rather than taking them for granted. This report shows why it is important to maintain, and strengthen, the open and sustainable Internet that has enabled not just the growth, but also the evolution of the Internet.