To structure the work, the PNIF proposal suggests a three-layered approach to define and analyse internet fragmentation: (1) TECHNICAL / BACKBONE LAYER: whereby conditions in the underlying technical infrastructure impede the ability of systems to fully interoperate; (2) NETWORK / ACCESS LAYER: whereby conditions at the physical, network, transport layers prevent proper functioning of the Internet and/or hinder meaningful connectivity; (3) APPLICATION / CONTENT LAYER: whereby policies and actions constrain or prevent certain uses of the Internet to create, distribute or access information.