A monthly series from the Web Foundation
View ([link removed]) this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed]
** Community networks: Internet for the people, by the people
------------------------------------------------------------
In the Little Rann of Kutch ([link removed]) , a salt marsh in the remote reaches of India, farmers work in extreme conditions to extract a rare type of salt. The sea takes over the mudflat for four months of the year, but for the remaining eight months, 3,500 families — and over 5,000 donkeys — call the region home.
Now, thanks to a van powered by solar panels ([link removed]) , those families have a link to the outside world ([link removed]) via broadband internet connectivity.
The atenna atop the specially designed vehicle connects to a tower at the outskirts of the region ([link removed]) to provide WiFi access to users wtihin a 100-metre radius.
The project is one of over 30 community networks supported by the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) ([link removed]) , in partnership with Internet Society ([link removed]) .
Community networks deliver access to underserved areas with infrastructure built, managed and used by local communities, oftentimes in areas that are financially unattractive for mainstream internet service providers.
In this edition, we look at the do-it-yourself networks built for the people, by the people — and why public access solutions like community networks are a key tool for closing the digital divide.
[link removed]
** Actually it is not rocket science. It is just an application of existing technology in a very innovative and beautiful way.
------------------------------------------------------------
- Osama Manzar, Digital Empowerment Foundation Founder and Director ([link removed])
[link removed]
** The village that built its own wi-fi network - BBC News Africa ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Community networks Q&A
[link removed]
** Why do they matter?
------------------------------------------------------------
Getting online remains a challenge for billions across the globe, thanks in large part to cost. Community networks can serve as a solution ([link removed]) . The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) hosted a webinar ([link removed]) on the topic, featuring experts from DEF and Internet Society.
[link removed]
** What are the benefits?
------------------------------------------------------------
Lower consumer costs. Investment in local economies. Development of local skills. Steve Song ([link removed]) , founder of VillageTelco ([link removed]) and Mozilla fellow, explores the reasons to support the growth of community networks ([link removed]) .
[link removed]
** How do they work?
------------------------------------------------------------
From clients and servers to frequency ranges and more, understand the basics of community networks ([link removed]) with this how-to guide ([link removed]) , edited by Luca Belli ([link removed]) and produced by experts from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), FGV Direito Rio and Internet Society.
[link removed]
** Any success stories?
------------------------------------------------------------
In partnership with Internet Society ([link removed]) , Deutsche Welle profiled three community networks ([link removed]) providing connectivity in the Republic of Georgia ([link removed]) ; South Africa ([link removed]) ; and Zimbabwe ([link removed]) . BBC Radio 4 profiled Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN) ([link removed]) , connecting rural communities in the United Kingdom.
[link removed]
** What are the barriers?
------------------------------------------------------------
Lack of income. Lack of local skills. Lack of awareness of the potential benefits. Carlos Ray-Moreno investigates the barriers that prevent the creation of community networks ([link removed]) or limit the sustainability of pre-existing ones in this report ([link removed]) for Internet Society.
[link removed]
** Any lessons learned?
------------------------------------------------------------
Ownership by the community and support from the government are essential to long-term sustainability of community networks, according to lessons learned from the 43 case studies ([link removed]) featured in Global Information Society Watch ([link removed]) , co-produced by APC ([link removed]) and IDRC ([link removed]) .
[link removed]
** Can they drive gender equity?
------------------------------------------------------------
Do women tend to be passive users or more active participants in the operation of community networks? Can community networks help transform gender roles ([link removed]) ? GenderIT.org takes a look ([link removed]) .
[link removed]
** How do I start one?
------------------------------------------------------------
US-based Next Century Cities ([link removed]) compiled best practices and successful strategies into a toolkit for communities looking to improve connectivity ([link removed]) .
Community networks by the numbers
4.4 million+ ([link removed]) — Unique users connected to Project Isizwe's ([link removed]) 1,500+ free WiFi hotspots in South Africa
170 ([link removed]) — Number of engineers the Digital Empowerment Foundation ([link removed]) trained to operate and maintain community network wireless facilities
$40,000 USD ([link removed]) — Amount of an Internet Society ([link removed]) grant that largely financed the creation of a community network to deliver access ([link removed]) high up in the Greater Caucasus Mountains in Georgia (The New York Times ([link removed]) )
How governments can support community networks
Community networks should be a key piece of policy frameworks to achieve universal access. A4AI Deputy Director and Policy Lead Eleanor Sarpong ([link removed]) explains that governments can support community networks in four crucial ways.
1. Establish an enabling policy environment - Removing regulatory obstacles to building networks is crucial to attract funding and scale up. Governments can reduce permitting bottlenecks and set up fees to speed up deployments. Regulations should be forward looking to encourage innovation.
2. Provide financial support —
Funding is necessary to ensure the sustainability of these networks. Governments, alongside private sector companies, can fill funding gaps. Universal Service Funds ([link removed]) are an untapped resource ([link removed]) that could support the growth of community networks and help close the digital divide. Governments can also provide access to land and refrain from taxation for a period.
3. Open up the space the networks need to operate — Governments can allocate spectrum — the radio frequencies that allow for wireless communication — to enable community networks to develop. This can be achieved either by specific licenses for these networks or by providing access to unlicensed spectrum.
4. Facilitate partnerships with mobile phone operators — Public access solutions require commitment from a variety of stakeholders. Governments can facilitate or even incentivise partnerships with mobile phone operators to aid in the creation, supply of technology and maintenance of community networks.
[link removed]
** Community networks have emerged as an increasingly popular means to providing public access — particularly for rural communities — and are an important strategy for governments to consider as part of a policy framework to achieve universal access.
------------------------------------------------------------
- Alliance for Affordable Internet Affordability Report ([link removed])
Enjoying this newsletter? Share it with a friend! They can sign up here ([link removed]) .
Donate ([link removed]) to help us build a better web.
============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
World Wide Web Foundation, ** CC BY 4.0 ([link removed])
2019
Our mailing address is:
World Wide Web Foundation
1110 Vermont Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. xxxxxx
** U ([link removed])
** pdate your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
