Framework

Three types of internet fragmentation

The question it answers

In what ways can the global internet split?

Origin
Drake, Cerf and Kleinwächter, 2016
Diagram type
Comparison table
Level of analysis
Industry
Topics
Strategy & leadershipData & analytics
Chess knight on a glass compass, icon for strategy and leadership

Diagram

Three types of internet fragmentation

CriterionTechnicalGovernmental (geo)politicalCommercial
What it meansInfrastructure or protocol choices that stop systems interoperatingPolicies that restrict how the internet is usedBusiness practices that restrict use
Typical examplesAlternative standards and protocolsData localisation, shutdowns, excluding vendors from infrastructureProprietary platforms and captive user data

Sources

References

Listed A–Z by author surname, Harvard style. A source with a DOI links to https://doi.org/…; one without links to its page or says plainly that it has no DOI.

  1. Drake, W.J., Cerf, V.G. and Kleinwächter, W. (2016) Internet fragmentation: an overview. Geneva: World Economic Forum (Future of the Internet Initiative White Paper).No DOIwww3.weforum.orgSource page
  2. Hoffmann, S., Lazanski, D. and Taylor, E. (2020) ‘Standardising the splinternet: how China's technical standards could fragment the internet’, Journal of Cyber Policy, 5(2), pp. 239–264.doi:10.1080/23738871.2020.1805482Source page
  3. Mayer, M. and Nock, P.J. (2025) ‘Editorial: Digital fragmentations, technological sovereignty and new perspectives on the global digital political economy’, Global Political Economy, 4(1), pp. 2–13.doi:10.1332/26352257Y2024D000000029Source page
  4. Nocetti, J. (2024) A splintered internet? Internet fragmentation and the strategies of China, Russia, India and the European Union. Paris: Ifri (Études de l'Ifri, February 2024).No DOIifri.orgSource page