Community Network and Infrastructures Special Interest Group

The Community Network and Infrastructures (CNI) Special Interest Group (SIG) works alongside local communities and regional stakeholders to co-design community-centred networks and infrastructures that empower local communities to determine Internet access on their own terms.

Community networks and community-maintained infrastructures are a versatile and sustainable way to bridge the digital divide. They create community-led, affordable connectivity solutions designed, implemented and maintained by local communities, helping to drive access for underserved communities.

The CNI SIG focuses on digital inclusion and long-term sustainability while advancing a shared vision of an open, accessible, decentralised, and resilient Internet.

Goals

We aim to support the creation and implementation of community networks and community infrastructure through:

• Knowledge sharing with technical domain experts.
• Sharing of documentation, experiences and best practises.
• Advocating with policymakers to support community-network friendly policies.
• Promoting the development of software designed for managing community networks and infrastructure.

Our Activities 

Disability Leadership Training

Developing and delivering disability leadership training in Internet governance and digital rights through a 2022 face-to-face pilot workshop for South Asian disability leaders in partnership with the Asia Pacific School of Internet Governance.

Accessibility Framework

Drafting an Internet Society Accessibility Framework with key Internet Society staff to build a culture of accessibility and to remove barriers to participation and engagement in Internet Society processes and practices.

Knowledge Sharing

Sharing knowledge about accessibility to the broader Internet community through webinars, speaking engagements, blog posts, and reports by developing communications campaigns to reach different stakeholders.