Current projects
APC helps people get access to the internet where there is none or it is unaffordable, we help grassroots groups use the technology to develop their communities and further their rights, and we work to make sure that government policies related to information and communication serve the best interests of the general population, especially people living in developing countries. In all of our work we encourage people to network as a means of making other activities more sustainable. If people share their experiences and skills they have greater value over a longer period and often create a ripple effect.
Here are some of our current projects. Note: This is not a complete listing.
Communication for influence in Central, East and West Africa (CICEWA)
APC and KICTANet draw on the experience of their successes in the Africa ICT Policy Monitor project and the CATIA project to bring an integrated approach to ICT policy research, dissemination and advocacy through the building of sub-regional networks. They operate using the principle of multi-stakeholder partnerships developed through the CATIA experience to engage in evidence-based policy change. The project seeks to identify the political obstacles to extending affordable access to ICT infrastructure in Africa and to advocate for their removal in order to create a sound platform for sub-regional connectivity in East, West and Central Africa that will provide a platform for the effective use of ICTs in development processes.
Communications and Information Policy in Latin America - Advocacy
Oriented to influence national and regional ICT policy processes to ensure that demands and perspectives of civil society organisations are considered.
Communications and Information Policy in Latin America - Raising awareness and building capacities
Oriented to develop and strengthen capacities in civil society organisations to effectively engage and influence global, regional and national ICT policy processes .
Communications and Information Policy in Latin America - Website
Available since 2001, the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) ICT Policy Monitor website gathers essential news and documentation about policies relating to information and communication technologies (ICTs). Through the website, the only one of its kind across Latin America and the Caribbean, APC aims to demystify internet policies and regulations.
Global Information Society Watch 2008
The global civil society community and other stakeholders have expressed their commitment to play their role as Global Information Society watchdog.
Open access in Africa: EASSy, SAT-3/WASC research
In Africa, APC’s main focus is on access to infrastructure. Africa currently has to pay for some of the most expensive bandwidth in the world and the hard currency paid leaves the continent. Because East Africa does not have international fibre connections it is paying even more than West African countries connected to the monopoly-controlled SAT3/WASC cable.
Open access in Africa: FibreForAfrica.net
APC’s FibreForAfrica.net site provides basic information about international bandwidth in Africa, its costs and the existence of monopoly access to it. It focuses especially on the proposed East African cable projects and the ending of the monopoly of SAT-3.
South African National Broadband Forum
APC is currently building a coalition of civil society organisations and businesses to campaign for the lowering of costs associated with the internet in South Africa. The project being carried out with the support of the Partnership for Higher Education in Africa (PHEA) will mobilise a number internet service providers (ISPs), communications workers, content providers, academics, alternative energy experts, a number of civil society organisations and private sector associations to advocate for affordable broadband access for all South Africans.