Why talk about local connectivity and community networks for affordable universal access? Internet connectivity is today a basic condition for the exercise of fundamental rights, access to education, health, citizen participation and economic development. However, millions of people in rural, indigenous and peripheral areas continue to face digital exclusion, demonstrating that traditional deployment models have failed to close the gap.
In this context, community-based networks have proven to be a viable, sustainable and deeply rooted alternative to bring connectivity to historically underserved communities. These initiatives, driven by social organization, local knowledge and collaborative work, challenge the idea that only large operators can guarantee access.
This session proposes a multi-sectoral conversation on the challenges and opportunities faced by these networks: How can they be recognized and strengthened through public policy? What regulatory frameworks and financing models would allow for their expansion? What alliances should be forged to guarantee universal, affordable and meaningful access?
Addressing these questions not only contributes to the construction of more inclusive and effective policies, but also recognizes communities as protagonists of their own digital development.
Through a dialogue and exchange of practices and experiences of different NRIs, this session will focus on several policy guiding questions:
This session will focus on concrete, issue-driven discussions across six key areas essential for advancing inclusive and sustainable connectivity through community networks. Participants will explore actionable policy and regulatory reforms to lower costs, expand access, and legally empower local networks. Financing strategies will be discussed, including Universal ICT Funds and tax incentives to ensure long-term viability. The session will also address how public policies can formally recognize and integrate community networks into national plans, while promoting participatory governance for marginalized communities. Emphasis will be placed on multi-sectoral partnerships, meaningful ownership aligned with digital rights, and the capacity-building strategies needed for communities to independently manage and sustain their own network infrastructure.
This session is co-organized by representatives from various National, Regional, and Youth IGF initiatives (NRIs), including
Henry Wang and Una Wang from the Singapore IGF; Judith Hellerstein from IGF-USA; Julián Casasbuenas G. from the Colombian IGF; Levy Syanseke from Youth Zambia IGF; Poncelet Ileleji from The Gambia IGF; Suzete Centeio from Cabo Verde IGF; Tiago Martins from Portugal IGF; Shin Yamasaki from Japan IGF; Zeina Bou Harb from Lebanon IGF; Ahmed Farah from the North African IGF; Fotjon Kosta from Albania IGF; Kasun Tharaka from Sri Lanka IGF; Mary Uduma from the West African IGF; Marcelo Valenzuela from Chile IGF; Elia Gabriela (Rachel Gaby) Vasquez Hermoso from Panama IGF; Saba Tiku from Ethiopia Youth IGF; Lilian Chamorro from LACIGF; and Roberto Zambrana from Bolivia IGF.Expert panel will set the stage before the floor opens to everyone:- Ms. Aicha Jerid, Senior Director of Digital Marketing and Innovation, Honoris Casablanca | North Africa IGF, Arab IGF (Tunisia)
- Mr. Chafic Chaya, Regional Manager for Public Policy and Government Affairs in the Middle East for RIPE NCC | Lebanon IGF Chair (Lebanon)
- Mr. Julius Zube, Head of International Partnerships, NRD Companies (Lithuania)
- Ms. Lilian Chamorro , LACIGF Secretariat Coordinator, Colnodo | Colombia IGF, (Colombia)
- Mr. Claude Dorion, General Director at MCE Conseils | (Canada)
- Mr. Henry Wang, Founder of World Web3 Alliance (W3A) | Singapore IGF (Singapore)
Session flow:- Welcome by the moderator and introduction (5 min)
- Setting the stage by designated and endorsed speakers (20 min)
- Open floor discussion (20 min)
- Conclusion and closing (5 min)
Onsite moderator: Ms. Peace Oliver Amuge, African IGF, APC
Online moderator: Ms. Judith Hellerstein, IGF-USA
Rapporteur: Ms. Noha Ashraf Abdel Baky, ISOC Egypt, Pan-African Youth Ambassador in IG
Open Zoom
