Local access and community networking
The initiative “Connecting the unconnected: Supporting community networks and other community-based connectivity initiatives” is a project being implemented by APC in partnership with Rhizomatica that aims to directly support the development of community networks, with funds from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). This project builds on APC’s existing local access-related work currently being implemented with Sida’s core support, and the knowledge ga...
Internet connectivity opens many opportunities for civil society groups and activists to participate in their countries’ political life, defend their rights and promote government transparency and accountability. However, much of the populations in developing countries remain unconnected and thus cannot fully participate in civic life. This was the focus of my intervention at the “Innovative Citizen Participation in Restrictive Environments” seminar, which I attended in Kuala Lumpur fro...
Welcome to the 19th monthly round-up of developments impacting your local access networks. 1. Events and conferences Until 30 June 2019, the call for travel support to attend the Internet Governance Forum 2019 annual meeting is open. The IGF, a global multistakeholder platform of the United Nations that facilitates the discussion of public policy issues pertaining to the internet, will happen...
There is increasing concern over the worldwide slowdown in the growth of voice and internet users. The networks being deployed by national operators are now only expected to connect 60% to 70% of the world’s population by 2025. This indicates that the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which anticipate attaining universal connectivity by 2030, are unlikely to be achieved. Despite d...
As part of our work connecting the unconnected, APC convened a community networks meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, between 30 April and 3 May 2019. Its purpose was to gather the twelve community networks that were selected for the community network learning grants and provide a platform for them to exchange their knowledge. The programme hopes to contribute to ongoing l...
In many countries around the world, especially wealthy, developed countries, network operators are on the cusp of rolling out 5G networks, a development that is gaining growing attention. According to Peter Bloom, founder of APC member organisation Rhizomatica, “The push towards 5G encompasses a plethora of interest groups, particularly governments, financing institutions and telecommunicatio...
APC will be at RightsCon Tunis, the first RightsCon summit hosted in the Middle East and North Africa, where more than 2,500 expert practitioners will come together across over 400 sessions to shape, contribute to, and drive forward the global agenda for the future of human rights in the digital age. APC will join RightsCon to promote conversations on a range of issues, including...
Welcome to the 18th monthly round-up of developments impacting your local access networks. 1. Events and conferences The Africa Internet Summit is taking place from 9 to 21 June in Kampala, Uganda. Read more here and here. Access Now’s RightsCon programme has been released, announcing the event taking place from 11 to 14 June in Tunis, and includes many sessions on co...
Welcome to the 17th monthly round-up of developments impacting your local access networks. IMPORTANT TO NOTE: APC and Rhizomatica have released a call to apply for the catalytic intervention grants aimed at supporting a more sustainable community network environment. The deadline for applications is 15 May 2019. Read more. 1. Events and conferences “Community Networks and the Id...
APC joined Rhizomatica, Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), the AfChix Uganda chapter, BOSCO Uganda and the Internet Society to submit comments to a public consultation on the proposed review of the licensing framework for the telecommunications sector in Uganda. The submission emphasises the need to enable alternative approaches to broadband deliver...
Association for Progressive Communications (APC) 2019
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