2019 European Community Networks Summit

Day 1: Thursday, 14 November 2019

14:00 – 14:30

Introductory Keynotes

Keynote 1: “Community Networks: Connecting the Next Billion”
Frédéric Donck, Internet Society

Keynote 2: Welcome from the Government of Georgia
Eka Kubusidze, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia

Keynote 3
Ucha Seturi, Internet Society Georgia Chapter Representative and Executive Director, Telecom Operators Association of Georgia
14:30 – 15:30

Plenary: The “Community” Component in Community Networks

Examples and initiatives where the role of community is being emphasized as a critical feature for the success of the community networks

- Video presentation, guifi.net
- Video presentation, Georgia
- Presentation by a representative from the Tusheti Community Network
15:30 – 16:00

Break

16:00 – 18:00

Plenary 1: Setting the Scene: Technical Level

The session will feature an overall discussion on the many technical aspects of community networks, including technology, models, content, connectivity/BB and fiber network plans as a baseline for a community network as well as best practices in Europe.

Panelists:

- guifi.net (Barcelona, Spain) - Ramon Roca, Founder, guifi.net
- Sussamyr Community Network, Kyrgyzstan - Talant Sultanov, Internet Society Kyrgyz Chapter
- Community Network, Greece - Vassilis Chryssos, Sarantaporo.gr
- Tusheti & Pshavi-Khevsureti Community Network, Georgia - Ucha Seturi, Internet Society Georgia Chapter
Moderator: Max Stucchi, Regional Technical Advisor, Internet Society
Rapporteur: Juan Peirano, Policy Advisor, Global Policy Development, Internet Society
18:00

Cocktail Reception/Walking Dinner

Day 2: Friday, 15 November 2019

09:30 – 10:30

High Level Keynotes

- Jane Coffin, Senior Advisor to the CEO, Connectivity and Infrastructure, Internet Society
- Natela Turnava, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia
- Tsvetelina Penkova, Member of the European Parliament
- Vahan Hovsepyan, Member of IGC
10:30 – 12:30

Plenary 2: Community Network Sustainability: A Conversation With and Between Business, Investors and Donors

The session will feature an overall discussion of the business model of community network, the socio-economic aspects of connectivity and how to replicate this model at European level.

Panelists:

- John Garrity, Advisor, Connectivity Capital
- Maciej Czura, Head of Regional Representation for the South Caucasus, European Investment Bank
- Abdulaziz Faghi, Program Leader for Infrastructure and Sustainable Development for the South Caucasus Region, World Bank
- Peter Wiebler, Director, Georgian Mission, USAID
- Rati Kochlamazashvili, Chair, Tusheti Development Fund
- Jan Cernik, Head of Development Cooperation, Embassy of the Czech Republic
Moderator: Naveed Haq, Regional Development Manager, Asia-Pacific, Internet Society
Rapporteur: Ceren Unal, Regional Policy Manager, Europe, Internet Society
12:30 – 14:00

Lunch

14:00 – 15:30

Plenary 3: Political and Regulatory Landscape for Community Networks

This session will address the political and regulatory landscape around community network, licensing, spectrum, infrastructure sharing, USO and creating an enabling environment for community network.

Panelists:

- Eka Kubusidze, Head of Communications, Information and Modern Technologies Department, Georgian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development
- European Commission: Franco Accordino, Head of Unit for Investment in High-Capacity Networks, DG Connect (via video link)
- Internet Society: Jane Coffin, Senior Advisor to CEO, Connectivity & Infrastructure
- Vahan Hovsepyan, Member of IGC
- Ramon Roca, Founder, Guifi.net
Moderator: Ceren Unal, Regional Policy Manager, Europe, Internet Society
Rapporteur: Naveed Haq, Regional Development Manager, Asia-Pacific, Internet Society
15:30 – 16:00

Break

16:30 – 18:00

High Level Roundtable

Outcomes of the three different plenary sessions (technical issues, sustainability/business issues, political/regulatory issues) and the Future of Community Networks in Europe, including key messages from Tbilisi to the worldwide Community Network Summit 2020.
18:00

Cocktail/Social Event

Date and Time

Thursday 14 November 2019 –

Friday 15 November 2019

Location

Rooms Hotel Tbilisi

14 Merab Kostava St, Tbilisi 0108, Georgia

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