Sustainable Models for Community Networks

Sustainability is one of the core components of a successful community network.

Therefore, community networks should consider developing a business model that will ensure the network will run with or without outside support from the onset. This includes financial, human resource, partnerships, skills, knowledge, content, technologies, ownership, and social sustainability for the community network.

The objective of the fourth webinar of the Virtual Summit on Community Networks in Africa was to explore varying sustainable models and approaches for community networks.

The 2-hour event involved interactive discussions with all participants. Thank you for joining us and contributing to the discussions!

Who attended?

Community network operators, activists, wireless network researchers, policy makers, regulators and regulatory associations, civil society organizations, community radios, sponsors and members of the public interested in the topic.

Together, we can connect the world. One community at the time.

Watch the recording Read event summary report

Location

Online

More about Community Networks

Community Networks newsletter (APC)

Bottom-up Connectivity Strategies: Community-led small-scale telecommunication infrastructure networks in the global South (APC)

Local Access Networks: Can the unconnected connect themselves? (APC)

Community Networks page

Summit on Community Networks in Africa

Leading image: A participant learning to terminate ethernet cables at the Internet Society Third Summit on Community Networks in Africa in the village of Zithulele in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, on 2 September 2018.© Internet Society / Nyani Quarmyne / Panos Pictures

Speakers and moderators

Kgopotso Ditshego Magoro

Mamaila Community Network

Kgopotso Ditshego Magoro was born and bred in Mamaila Village, Limpopo Province, South Africa. She holds a Masters of Management degree in the field of ICT Policy and Regulation (MMICTPR)… Read more about Kgopotso Ditshego Magoro

Sol Luca de Tena

Zenzeleni Community Networks

Sol has spent her life living and working between South Africa and Spain, and calls both countries home. She has over a decade of experience in strategic project management within… Read more about Sol Luca de Tena

John Gitonga

Tunapanda Kibera CBO

John Gitonga is the Executive Director of Tunapanda Kibera CBO which runs Tunapanda Institute in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya. Tunapanda institute bridges the digital divide by training the youth in Technology,… Read more about John Gitonga

Sarbani Banerjee Belur

APC

Dr. Sarbani Banerjee Belur, is currently the Asia Regional Coordinator for Association for Progressive Communications (APC) for the Community Networks Connecting the Unconnected project. She is also the Senior Research… Read more about Sarbani Banerjee Belur

Chako Armant

Head of Project, La Difference (PamojaNET Community Network)

Chako Armant is the "Head of Project" of Difference, where she oversees project planning and execution. She guides Project Managers in the activities to be carried out for each project.… Read more about Chako Armant