Public Funding for Community Networks

Reports and event slides:

Event summary report
Slide deck used during the event (.pptx)
Expanding the Telecommunications Operators Ecosystem: Policy and Regulatory Guidelines to Enable Local Operators (APC)
Universal Service and Access Funds: An Untapped Resource to Close the Gender Digital Divide ( produced by World Wide Web Foundation and the Alliance for Affordable Internet, with support and funding from UN Women)
Universal Service Fund and Digital Inclusion for All (ITU)
Sub-Saharan Africa – Universal Service Fund study (GSMA)
Supporting the Creation and Scalability of Affordable Access Solutions: Understanding Community Networks in Africa (Internet Society)

Event recording is available on following channels:

Vimeo (English and French)
Periscope (English and French)
Twitch (English)
Facebook (English and French)

Replies to unanswered questions

The panelists addressed the questions that remained unanswered during the session due to the lack of time:

I think the downside of USFs is it being under government bodies, any thoughts on this?

Charley Lewis: In theory the regulator (which is the most common manager of the USF) is a body independent of government. I don’t think it’s a structural issue. Any USF needs to be established in legislation, governed by very clear rules and procedures and objectives, and all of those require policy and regulation.

The biggest problem faced by service users is illiteracy. How shall this be addressed?

Charley Lewis: There are many barriers to access and usage, such as language, literacy, gender, income, geographic location. Addressing them may require a multi-pronged approach, some of which may involve the USF.

Are there universal service fund provisions in all African countries?

Charley Lewis: No, but they are in place in name at least in some 37 of the 55 AU member states.

I want to know what is the best approach or management of universal access fund?

Charley Lewis: There is some useful good practice in this regard, but it’s a complex undertaking. I was privileged to assist in the development of some useful ITU universal access and service guidelines, while my colleagues worked on a USF best practice toolkit. Both could probably do with updating, but they are a good start. USAASA in SA also got consultants to develop a useful fund manual, but it’s no longer available online.

How shall we make someone who is illiterate about writing, reading, digital space and connectivity to understand community networks and funds available for their needs? I think it’s high time we use a bottom line approach to approve community networks.

Charley Lewis: If the content is compelling and the services useful, usage will increase. Literacy and digital skills will also help.

Charley Lewis mentioned that impact needs to be measured or linked to outcomes – what ways do funds do this, and are there new technology they can use?

Charley Lewis: Sadly, too few funds conduct proper monitoring and evaluation or commission post-implementation research. But, if you don’t prioritise this area of USF activity, you’re flying blind.

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Reports and event slides:

Event recording is available on following channels:

Replies to unanswered questions

I think the downside of USFs is it being under government bodies, any thoughts on this?

The biggest problem faced by service users is illiteracy. How shall this be addressed?

Are there universal service fund provisions in all African countries?

I want to know what is the best approach or management of universal access fund?

How shall we make someone who is illiterate about writing, reading, digital space and connectivity to understand community networks and funds available for their needs? I think it’s high time we use a bottom line approach to approve community networks.

Charley Lewis mentioned that impact needs to be measured or linked to outcomes – what ways do funds do this, and are there new technology they can use?

12:00 – 14:00 UTC

Wednesday 25 November 2020

Online

More about Community Networks

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