Community connectivity – empowering the unconnected – WS 03 2017

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6 June 2017 | 14:30 - 16:00 | Ballroom III, Swissotel, Tallinn, Estonia | https://livestream.com/accounts/12493954/events/7461527/videos/157650822
Programme overview wiki | Programme overview EuroDIG web site

Session teaser

Many communities in Europe and globally continue to suffer from a lack of Internet connectivity or from unsatisfactory quality and affordability of their Internet connection. What can communities do when national broadband strategies and market-based approaches do not deliver an acceptable level of Internet connectivity? This workshop will explore different strategies, demonstrating how communities can take action and establish a sustainable Internet access model at local level.

Keywords

Internet access, connectivity, community networks, community hubs, Internet adoption, local content, empowerment

Session description

In Europe, there are still communities without Internet connectivity, and communities with unsatisfactory Internet connectivity in terms of quality and affordability. The level of connectivity does not necessarily depend on the average economic situation or the general state of development in any country – rather it depends on the prevailing policy environment, market conditions and on people’s awareness of the connectivity possibilities at community level.

In liberalized European telecommunications markets, private sector typically takes the lead in building access infrastructure and in providing connectivity to communities. If there is no interest to invest, European governments can use a variety of measures to promote Internet development ranging from public subsidies to tax incentives. However, sometimes these approaches are not enough. As a result, dozens of community networking projects and other local initiatives to boost Internet adoption have sprung up around Europe, showing the practicability of the “community connectivity” option.

Our objective is to analyze different examples of community networks and other local access initiatives, while debating the role of community networks for the European connectivity agendas. The aim of the session will be to analyze the recipes for success and reflect on the necessary elements of well-functioning community access initiatives.

Format

This workshop will feature key participants, who will share their insights on the topic to kick off the discussion. Following the introductory remarks, the two moderators will facilitate an interactive discussion with the audience.

Further reading

People

Focal Point:

  • Maarit Palovirta (ISOC)

Subject Matter Expert (SME):

  • Olivier Crepin Leblond (EURALO)

KEY PARTICIPANTS

  • Luca Belli, Head of Internet Governance, FGV Direito Rio
    Biography: Luca Belli, PhD, is Senior researcher at the Center for Technology and Society (CTS) of Fundação Getulio Vargas Law School, Rio de Janeiro, where he leads the 'Internet Governance @ FGV' project. Before joining CTS, Luca worked for the Council of Europe Internet Governance Unit and served as a network neutrality expert for the Council of Europe. He is also the founder and co-chair of the Dynamic Coalition on Network Neutrality of the global IGF, as well as the co-founder and co-chair of the Dynamic Coalition on Platform Responsibility and the Dynamic Coalition on Community Connectivity.
  • Giorgi Cherkezishvili, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia
    Biography: Mr. Giorgi Cherkezishvili is a Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia since March 2017. One of the direction under his responsibilities is ICT & innovations. Previously, Mr. Cherkezishvili worked in different high level positions at the JSC Partnership Fund, JSC Bank of Georgia, Chamber of Control of Georgia and at the Black Sea International University as an invited lecturer.
  • Jan Droege, Director, European Commission Broadband Competence Offices Support Facility (BCO-SF)
    Biography: For over 20 years, Jan has built up extensive insights into EU funding processes and has helped many institutions and organisations in their funding strategies. In 2016 Jan, was involved in the pilot phase, preparing for the EU network of Broadband Competence Offices (BCOs) where he was tasked with assessing the support structures in Germany that promote broadband investments. Since January 2017, Jan is the Director of the BCOs Support Facility. Prior to joining BCO-SF and the Schuman Associates EU Consultancy, Jan worked in the European Commission’ Directorate General for Regional Policy.
  • Lise Fuhr, Director General, ETNO (European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association)
    Biography: Lise has been ETNO’s Director General since January 2016. Prior to that, she was Chief Operating Officer of DK Hostmaster and DIFO, the company managing the .dk domain name. In the period between September 2014 and December 2015 she also chaired the Cross Community Working Group for the IANA Stewardship Transition. She has recently been appointed to the Internet Society Public Interest Registry Board of Directors for a three year term starting in July 2016. Lise has 10+ years of previous experience in the telecoms industry both in government and industry.
  • Ucha Seturi, Executive Director, Small and Medium Telecom Operators' Association of Georgia
    Biography: Ucha Seturi is a board member of the ISOC Georgian chapter. he is a CEO of "Small&Medium Telecom Operator's Association of Georgia" from 2015. He is a Lawyer. Since 1999 he worked at JSC "United Telecom of Georgia" Head of Legal Department, since 2008, worked at the Georgian National Communications Commission.He is a visiting lecturer on Media law in Tbilisi State university and member of the Bar Association of Georgia since 2003.

MODERATORS

  • Maarit Palovirta, Internet Society
    Biography: Maarit Palovirta is a Senior Manager for Regional Affairs in Europe at Internet Society. She works on Internet development and policy issues across Europe and Central Asia. Maarit leading several initiatives on Internet connectivity development in Eastern Europe and is actively engaged in the policy discussion in the region. Previously Maarit worked in ICT business development and government advocacy with Cisco Systems and with well-known public affairs consultancies in Brussels.
  • Tommi Karttaavi, Head of Information Society, Finnish Municipalities Association
    Biography: Tommi Karttaavi is the Director of the Information Society Unit of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities. He works in ICT policy development with Finnish municipalities and government agencies. His previous employers include the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of the Interior, private sector companies and the Internet Society. He has previously served as the Chair and is currently an Honorary President of ISOC Finland.

Remote Moderator

  • Fotjon Kosta, Albanian government/IGF

Organising Team (Org Team):

  • Luca Belli, FGV Direito Rio
  • Ucha Seturi, Small and Medium Telecom Operator's Association of Georgia
  • Oliana Sula, Durres University
  • Mikhail Doroshevich, e-Baltic initiative
  • Marina Sokolova, Belarus
  • Stephen Wyber, International Federation of Library Associations
  • Elif Kuzeci, Max Planck Institute
  • Fotjon Kosta, Albanian Government

Reporters

  • Aziz Soltobaev, Kyrgyz ISOC Chapter
  • Tessel Renzenbrink, Dutch ISOC Chapter

Video record

https://livestream.com/accounts/12493954/events/7461527/videos/157650822

Messages

  • There are still many areas in Europe that have unsatisfactory internet connectivity. The traditional network model is efficient in some areas but the community network model provides a viable and complementary alternative.
  • There are beneficial externalities to community network model related to policy, jobs and skills. It is important to share knowledge on how to set up and scale the community network model in Europe.
  • Cooperation is important when trying to provide Internet access in remote and rural areas. Everyone has a role to play including government and private sector.

Transcript

Will be provided here after the event.