One Year In, i2Coalition Continues Leading on Key Issues

Group celebrates anniversary, looks forward to building on successes in the year to come

Washington, DC — The Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition), comprised of over sixty member companies representing Internet infrastructure providers and related tech firms, today celebrates its one year anniversary following its launch on September 17, 2012. The i2Coalition had an extremely successful inaugural year, highlighting the important issues that face Internet infrastructure companies. From privacy issues to fighting abusive patent trolls to addressing cybersecurity, i2Coalition educated policy makers on the concerns our members have as the ‘nuts and bolts’ of the Internet.

“In our first year we have positioned ourselves as the leading voice for the Internet infrastructure industry, and we will continue to be on the front lines fighting with and for our members and the Internet infrastructure industry as a whole,” said Christian Dawson, i2Coalition Co-Founder and Board Chair. “As we move into our second year we look forward to building upon the successes we’ve had, and will continue to be a presence both in the United States and abroad.”

In its first year, the i2Coalition was a strong voice for the Internet infrastructure industry when it came to policy issues.  In February, the group hosted an “Internet Advocacy Day” on Capitol Hill, coordinating more than 40 meetings in two days with Hill offices to discuss legislative priorities.  The event culminated in a luncheon and award ceremony honoring Senators Ron Wyden and Jerry Moran and Congressman Darrell Issa, with remarks from Reddit Co-Found Alexis Ohanian.  The luncheon also included 15 demonstration booths from member companies looking at aspects of how the Internet functions, focusing on topics such as Cybersecurity, International Competition on the Internet and the cloud.

“As the value of Internet infrastructure companies grows, so too has the need to address certain areas of public policy,” said Jeanine Wright, General Counsel at Media Temple and i2Coalition Board Member.  “Over the past year, i2Coalition has provided Media Temple and the entire Internet infrastructure community with the means to effectively communicate with lawmakers and the public about the importance of the open Internet, a valuable resource that was previously unavailable to our industry.”

Throughout the year the coalition had numerous meetings with lawmakers as well, and coordinated a variety of tours of member company facilities with legislators in states such as Texas, Minnesota and Virginia.  Additional contact with the offices of legislators came from letters, emails and calls on a variety of issues, from ECPA reform to concerns over NSA surveillance.

Outside of Washington DC, i2Coalition had a busy first year as well.  i2Coalition had a presence at ICANN meetings in Toronto, Beijing and Durban, ensuring that their members’ voices are part of the international governance process.  At HostingCon in Austin, TX, the coalition moderated a series of “Issues and Trends” panels, with topics discussed including patent trolls, the borderless Internet, ways to improve the appeal of U.S. hosting providers on the global market, and the future of customer privacy.  On the final day of HostingCon, Christian Dawson moderated a panel entitled, “NSA Government Surveillance & You.”