The community network manual : how to build the Internet yourself

Abstract

This volume is jointly published by the Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Internet Society (ISOC). This volume is the result of the 2018 Call for Papers of the UN IGF Dynamic Coalition on Community Connectivity (DC3) and is the Official 2018 DC3 Outcome. DC3 is a multistakeholder group, fostering a cooperative analysis of community networks, exploring how such initiatives may be used to improve connectivity while empowering Internet users, triggering the creation of new content, applications, services and organisations, developed by the local community for the local community. Community networks rely on the active participation of local communities in the design, development and management of network infrastructure as a common resource. These networks give rise to new infrastructures, new governance models and new business opportunities and facilitate the free flow of information and knowledge, filling the lacunae left by the traditional Internet access-provision paradigm. This book is the third volume of a trilogy demonstrating the vitality, quality and interest of the contributions, projects and policy suggestions developed by DC3 members. It also proves that such vitality, quality and interest are not decreasing over time but, on the contrary, ideas and initiatives developed by DC3 members are increasing and cross-fertilising each other’s, while some of the most relevant institutions in the world are recognising their importance, value and impact.