An interview with Naveed Haq from the Internet Society
The Internet Society (ISOC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with a global presence. Committed to a vision of a free, open, and accessible Internet for all people and communities worldwide, ISOC has played a significant role in shaping the digital landscape.
Over the years, ISOC has been involved in various activities including organizing events, advocating for secure routing protocols and end-to-end encryption and launching remote community network initiatives.
In recognition of the importance of increasing online connectivity for underserved communities, especially as nearly 33% of the global population still lacks Internet access, we have joined forces with the Internet Society to help develop Internet infrastructure in remote areas.
We backed their recent initiative to provide Internet to Sherpa communities in Nepal, specifically in the villages of Khunde and Khumjung near Mount Everest. Despite encountering obstacles like harsh weather and the necessity to lay fiber optic cables over extensive distances, the project was effectively finalized in 2023. For more details, check out our blog post titled “Bringing the Internet to remote Sherpa communities in Everest”.
Enhancing Internet connectivity brought benefits to the communities by increasing educational opportunities, improving healthcare services, and economic development through boosted tourism.
To learn more about this successful project, we had the chance to have a great chat with Naveed Haq, Regional Director of Infrastructure and Connectivity at ISOC. With experience in the ISP and telecom sectors, Naveed is an expert in internet technology, policy, and regulations. As he defines himself, his “professional appetite has been to work with the people, for the people” and he is “lucky to fulfil it over the years in various capacities and through different projects.”
Watch our discussion to explore the key points we covered and learn how you can support similar projects by donating to the Internet Society.
