Next generation Internet and its governance : foundations for a new communication economy

Abstract

The first generation internet was developed by publicly-funded R&D and experimentation. It was driven by a " grants economy," with priorities placed on the technical innovation. The second generation has been driven primarily by the commercial interests of the ICT sector, Focusing on innovations generated within the sector. Through these phases, narrowly focussed self-regulation has guided development. The next generation internet is being driven increasingly by internet based applications that go beyond the ICT sector and narrow economic considerations. Broader issues of policy governance neccessary to shape both the direction and structure of the next generation internet, as well as the future internet economy, are now coming to the fore. This article outlines a preliminary exploration of issues of governance of the internet in a new internet communication economy, within the larger context of effective governance of this new economy.