Sept. 17 — Today, the Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition) marked its official launch with a video announcing the group's formation from i2Coalition co-founder and Board Chair Christian Dawson. With 42 current member companies, i2Coalition is comprised of key players representing global and U.S. Internet infrastructure providers and related tech firms. The i2Coalition will fill a void by serving as the public policy voice of the Internet's infrastructure, helping to ensure the future of this vital engine for economic growth and innovation. The group's charter members will provide leadership for the i2Coalition, and includes representation from cPanel, Rackspace, Softlayer and Endurance International Group. The inaugural video highlights the mission and goals of the organization, and details the role the coalition will play working with its members to represent the best interests of the public it serves and the industry it represents.

The i2Coalition supports the trailblazing enterprises that make significant private investments and drive innovation for the "nuts and bolts" of the Internet – including web hosting and data center providers, registries and registrars, software and service delivery and cloud computing services. The genesis of the organization began in 2011, when many of the i2Coalition's founding and charter members joined forces during the successful effort to prevent the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) from becoming law. After mobilizing to ensure the Internet's free flow of information and commerce, Dawson and other executives realized the ongoing need for an industry voice. The coalition is dedicated to educating the public, policymakers, opinion leaders and the media and will strive to share best practices among its members to promote the financial and innovation benefits that the industry delivers.

"We believe the continued expansion of the Internet is vital for fostering economic growth in the U.S.," said Christian Dawson, i2Coalition co-founder and Board Chair. "The i2Coalition will serve as a liaison between its members, the public they serve and policymakers to ensure that the Internet infrastructure industry continues to harness the full potential it has for creating jobs and driving innovation in the United States."

i2Coalition members share a common goal: to be the principle voice and leading advocate for the Internet infrastructure industry. The coalition will facilitate public policy education and advocacy, develop market-driven standards formed by consensus and give the industry a unified voice. Members will receive the support and tools they need to be heard in Washington and by their state and local officials across the country.

"Tens of thousands of people work on the Internet, and the hosting and software fields are still growing. Legislative issues that would harm the Internet's future growth will continue to arise," said Dennis Johnson, i2Coalition board member. "As the WebHostingTalk.com lead administrator, I believe that creating an organization to represent our voice needs to become a priority."

According to a market research study by Tier1 Research , the Internet infrastructure industry generated and estimated direct and indirect $46 billion in annual revenue in 2010 with expected 20% growth by 2013, and a trade flow to the United States of $9.2 billion. New jobs more often than not require a reliable infrastructure for the Internet, and the industry drives innovation at every level.

"The services provided by the Internet infrastructure industry are now fundamental in our society. As a group, we have the opportunity not only to help policy, but to help shape the future of the Internet," said David Snead, i2Coalition co-founder and board member.

Companies that serve the Internet infrastructure such as web hosting and data center providers, registries and registrars, software and service delivery, cloud computing services and related industries are invited to join the i2Coalition. Interested parties can visit http://i2coalition.com/get-involved/ for more information about membership.

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Source: i2Coalition