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--- international-organisations:start [2023/06/16 17:19] – added menu steve
+++ international-organisations:start [2024/12/03 09:54] (current) – [Global Digital Compact] carlos
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-^  [[country-profiles:start|Country Profiles]]  ^  *  ^  [[good-practice:start|Good Practice]]  ^ *  ^  [[public-consultation:start|National Consultations]]  ^  *  ^  [[international-organisations:start|International Orgs]]  ^  *  ^  [[other:start|Other]]  ^
 ======= The Role of International Organisations =======
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 At the Plenipotentiary Conference in 2018 (PP-18), community networks became a hot topic for debate, as the Americas region delegation brought forward a proposal for a resolution in their support, that was eventually rejected.
+=== PP-22 ===
+At the Plenipotentiary Conference in 2018 (PP-22) Resolution 139 (REV. BUCHAREST, 2022)  on "Use of telecommunications/information and communication technologies to bridge the digital divide and build an inclusive information society" ((https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-s/opb/conf/S-CONF-ACTF-2022-PDF-E.pdf)) included the following:
+  * "instructs the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau, in coordination with the Directors of the other Bureaux, within their respective mandate  [...] 7 to support sharing national experiences and information, such as case studies, and support enabling environments for the use of affordable technologies for bridging the digital divide, such as current and emerging telecommunication/ICT infrastructure, including telecommunication/ICT complementary access networks and solutions;"
+  * "invites Member States  [...] 4 to consider facilitating an environment for sharing national experiences for bridging the digital divide, as appropriate, using affordable technologies, such as current and emerging telecommunication/ICT infrastructure, including telecommunication/ICT complementary access networks and solutions, according to national regulations;"
 ==== ITU Council ====
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 The virtual meeting to discuss the submissions was held on the 25th January, and all the documents are available here (https://www.itu.int/en/council/cwg-internet/Pages/open-consultations.aspx) including the webcast. The summary of the Chairman includes very valuable points for community networks advocacy {{ international-organisations:14th_cwg-internet_chairman_report.docx | Download}}:
-<callout>4.4 A number of policy issues related to expanding Internet connectivity were highlighted, including affordability, security and user trust, digital skills and capacity development, competition and innovation (including complementary access solutions such as community networks), investment, infrastructure, and spectrum management. </callout>
+"4.4 A number of policy issues related to expanding Internet connectivity were highlighted, including affordability, security and user trust, digital skills and capacity development, competition and innovation (including complementary access solutions such as community networks), investment, infrastructure, and spectrum management."
-<callout>4.5 There was general consensus that a robust enabling environment is key to foster investment in the infrastructure, products and services that are critical to bridging the gaps in connectivity and affordable Internet access.
+"4.5 There was general consensus that a robust enabling environment is key to foster investment in the infrastructure, products and services that are critical to bridging the gaps in connectivity and affordable Internet access. Stakeholders are invited to share and to implement as appropriate good practices in innovative and complementary access solutions that have been implemented in various regions, countries and local environments as a way to enhance connectivity."
-Stakeholders are invited to share and to implement as appropriate good practices in innovative and complementary access solutions that have been implemented in various regions, countries and local environments as a way to enhance connectivity.</callout>
-<callout>4.6 There was also consensus that there is a need for greater multi-stakeholder action and a closer cooperation between the different stakeholders involved. Specific examples of how governments could facilitate better collaboration with the private sector, small/community/non-profit operators, and civil society were highlighted. The important role of the ITU in connecting the unconnected was recognized by the participants.</callout>
+"4.6 There was also consensus that there is a need for greater multi-stakeholder action and a closer cooperation between the different stakeholders involved. Specific examples of how governments could facilitate better collaboration with the private sector, small/community/non-profit operators, and civil society were highlighted. The important role of the ITU in connecting the unconnected was recognized by the participants."
 // 15th session CWG-Internet //
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 In the public session held on the 20th September, many speakers mentioned the need for fostering community networks, and so it was captured in the Chairman's summary under the steps to expand meaningful internet connectivity {{ :international-organisations:s21-opcwgint9-210920-dl-0001_msw-e.docx | Download}}:
-<callout>"Fostering community networks to reduce digital divides while taking into consideration national and international policies in this regard".</callout>
+"Fostering community networks to reduce digital divides while taking into consideration national and international policies in this regard".
+// 20th session CWG-Internet //
+The ITU Council Working Group on International Internet-related Public Policy Issues (CWG-Internet) held an open consultation in September 2024 ((https://www.itu.int/en/council/cwg-internet/Pages/consultation-feb2024.aspx)) on the following topic and questions:
+.      How relevant multilateral and multi-stakeholder processes, including but not limited to UN-based processes such as Summit of the Future, WSIS+20 and the IGF, could address aspects related to Internet development?
+.      What are the challenges and opportunities, good practices and favourable policy environments to strengthen the Internet?
+.      How can we promote international multistakeholder cooperation on public policy issues that are focused on promoting the development aspects of the Internet?
+United Kingdom, APC, Article 19, Derechos Digitales and Internet Society, made reference to community networks and community-centred connectivity in their submissions ((https://www.itu.int/en/Pages/consultation-feb2024-responses.aspx)).
 === World Telecommunications Policy Forum (WTPF) ===
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 * 4th Virtual Meeting, suggesting language around the impact of emerging technologies to the climate crisis. {{ :international-organisations:s21-wtpf21ieg4-c-0003_msw-e.docx | Download}}.
 * 6th Virtual Meeting,  suggesting language around complementary access models and community networks. {{ :international-organisations:210805_wtpf-21_d6_ieg_submission.pdf | Download}}.
+In the final Report by the ITU Secretary-General for the Sixth World Telecommunication/Information and Communication Technology Policy Forum 2021 ((https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-s/md/21/wtpf21/c/S21-WTPF21-C-0003!!PDF-E.pdf)), the following was included:
+  * "recognising [...] c) that among sectors and stakeholders, ICT investments, including those in new and emerging telecommunication/ICT services and technologies, and complementary access solutions, should be coordinated to avoid fragmentation and duplication of efforts;"
+  * "is of the view [...] 6. that use of new and emerging telecommunication/ICT services and technologies, and complementary access solutions can promote sustainable development, and that policies in the field of telecommunications/ICTs should consider environmental challenges such as climate change mitigation;"
+  * "invites Member States [...] 1. to consider how best to foster an enabling environment that is conducive for mobilizing new and emerging telecommunication/ICT services and technologies, as well as complementary access solutions for sustainable development, to maximize their benefits, and minimize their risks;"
+  * "invites Member States, Sector Members and other stakeholders to work collaboratively [...] 7. to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in local populations, including by encouraging community support for entrepreneurship and locally based programmes, including those for complementary solutions and networks"
 ==== ITU-D ====
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   * AMS-4 - Development of enabling policy and regulatory environments to connect the unconnected through accessible and affordable telecommunications/ICTs that support the achievement of SDGs and the progress towards the digital economy.
 <callout> Expected result: Support for Member States in the implementation of policy and regulatory strategies to connect the unconnected with a focus on affordability, including support of small operators and **community networks**; </callout>
+== WTDC-22 ==
+Due to the COVID19 pandemic, the World Telecommunications Development Conference took place in Kigali in 2022. The preparatory process above, resulted in Resolution 37 "Bridging the digital divide", where complementary connectivity solutions are
+included in “acknowledging” and “considering”but more importantly in:\\
+"resolves to instruct the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT)"
+  * “15. to continue supporting Member States, where requested, in developing policy and regulatory frameworks that could expand and support the engagement of telecommunication/ICT complementary access networks and solutions in bridging the digital divide”
+  * “17 to continue supporting Member States, in the case where it is requested, in developing policy and regulatory frameworks that could expand and support the engagement of telecommunications/ICTs complementary access networks and solutions in bridging the digital divide;”
+\\
+"invites Member States"
+  * “5 to consider inclusive and innovative policies to close the digital divide, taking into account national initiatives and telecommunications/ICTs complementary access networks and solutions,”
 === ITU-D Study Groups ===
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 == Question 1/1: Strategies and policies for the deployment of broadband in developing countries ==
+= 2017 - 2021 Cycle =
   * ITU-D contribution to the February 2020 session, ITU Last Mile Connectivity Guidelines, is full of references to community networks ((https://www.itu.int/md/D18-SG01-C-0362/en)).
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 == Question 5/1: Telecommunications/ICTs for rural and remote areas ==
+= 2017 - 2021 Cycle =
   * APC, in collaboration with Article 19, made a contribution entitled  "//Economic and social development enabled by complementary connectivity approaches//" to the September 2019 Session ((https://www.itu.int/md/D18-SG01.RGQ-C-0254/en)). {{ international-organisations:d18-sg01.rgq-c-0254_msw-e.docx | Download Contribution}}
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 Part of the inclusion of this wording in the document was due to contributions to earlier versions of the document that were made available for consultation like the "//Working document - Draft Final Report for ITU-D Question 5/1//" presented at the September 2020 session ((https://www.itu.int/md/D18-SG01.RGQ-C-0321/en)).
+= 2022 - 2025 Cycle =
+The following contributions were made by APC:
+  * "Addressing the financial and regulatory barriers faced by Community Connectivity Providers in supporting deployment of digital infrastructure in developing countries" in April 2023 ((https://www.itu.int/md/D22-SG01.RGQ-C-0071/en)).
+  * "Reflections on the status of community networks in Argentina and on the public policies that enhance them" in April 2023 ((https://www.itu.int/md/D22-SG01-C-0239/en))
 === Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) ===
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 low, mid, and high bands for a variety of business plans to successfully meet the need for additional network capacity while facing finite spectrum resources, including releasing spectrum for the establishment of community networks on a technology-neutral basis."
-=== Other ITU-D repots and studies ===
+== GSR - 2023 ==
+The trend continued in 2023  with the Best Practice Guidelines ((https://www.itu.int/itu-d/meetings/gsr-23/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2023/06/GSR-23_Best-Practice-Guidelines-E.pdf)) includes the following in their section about "Incentives towards achieving meaningful connectivity":
+  * Innovative regulatory last mile connectivity solutions: Policy makers and regulators are encouraged to consider facilitating last mile solutions to connect the unconnected, through means such as municipal, community and mesh networks and social enterprises, as well as spectrum and infrastructure sharing and co-investment to extend networks and services to unserved and underserved areas.
+=== Other ITU-D reports and studies ===
 In 2020, ITU-D launched reports where community networks are featured importantly in many sections. These include:
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   * ITU-D Last Mile Connectivity Guidelines ((https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Technology/Documents/LMC/The%20Last-Mile%20Internet%20Connectivity%20Solutions%20Guide.pdf))
+The report that ITU-D and UNICEF commissioned to the Boston Consulting Group for the GIGA initiative on "Meaningful School Connectivity: An assessment of sustainable business models" ((https://giga.global/bcg-report/)), contains two models based on "Community Network" principles
+Further in 2023, the ITU launched its Universal Service Financing Efficiency Toolkit ((https://www.itu.int/itu-d/reports/regulatory-market/usf-financial-efficiency-toolkit/)) which contains within the "Application of innovative finance models" it recommends the following:
+"USAF 2.0 financing toolkit can move beyond grants and subsidies, and complement existing tools with innovative funding models,  in particular, it can be positioned to support:
+* through, amongst others, providing funding and advisory support for school connectivity projects and the connection of other strategic institutions;
+* through providing funding and advisory support form community network projects, as well as facilitating their collaboration with other parties such as operators and municipalities. "
 ==== ITU-R ====
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 At CSTD-20 the "Progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society at the regional and international levels - Report of the Secretary-General" ((https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/a75d62_en.pdf https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/a75d62_en.pdf )) refers to community networks in two places:
-* When defining what Civil Society has done: "[APC] also published reports on community-led connectivity, spectrum management and online content regulation"
+  * When defining what Civil Society has done: "[APC] also published reports on community-led connectivity, spectrum management and online content regulation"
-* When describing the Implementation of action lines - The enabling environment (C6): "ISOC, APC and Mozilla made recommendations for innovations in spectrum management to support community networks."
+  * When describing the Implementation of action lines - The enabling environment (C6): "ISOC, APC and Mozilla made recommendations for innovations in spectrum management to support community networks."
+=== CSTD-21 ===
+At CSTD-21 the "Progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society at the regional and international levels - Report of the Secretary-General" ((https://unctad.org/publication/2021-report-secretary-general-progress-made-implementation-and-follow-outcomes-world)) refers to community networks:
+  * "The deployment of community networks for underserved communities is promoted by stakeholders, including APC and ISOC."
+=== CSTD-22 ===
+At CSTD-22 the "Progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society at the regional and international levels - Report of the Secretary-General" ((https://unctad.org/publication/2022-report-secretary-general-progress-made-implementation-and-follow-outcomes-world)) refers to community networks:
+  * "The deployment of community networks for underserved communities was promoted by stakeholders, including APC and ISOC, which published Community Network Readiness Assessment Handbook"
+=== CSTD-23 ===
+At CSTD-23 the "Progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society at the regional and international levels - Report of the Secretary-General" ((https://unctad.org/publication/2023-report-secretary-general-progress-made-implementation-and-follow-outcomes-world)) refers to community networks:
+  * "Many agencies explore the implications of meaningful access, namely, the relationship between connectivity and social and economic inclusion. APC worked with regulators and policymakers to promote community approaches to rural connectivity, particularly in southern Africa."
+=== CSTD-24 ===
+In 2024, APC continued making inputs to the Secretary General report, but this report has not been published yet. Still, it participated actively in the process and in particular during the Intersessional Panel, where a Side Event titled "Exploring innovative financing mechanisms for community-centred connectivity: A WSIS+20 agenda to leave no one behind" was co-organized between ISOC and APC ((https://unctad.org/meeting/exploring-innovative-financing-mechanisms-community-centred-connectivity-wsis20-agenda))
 ===== UN SG’s High Level Panel on Digital Co-operation (HLPDC)=====
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 <callout>Furthermore,  digital  capacities should be expanded, in particular by increasing  broadband connectivity using fixed, mobile, and satellite technologies and by exploring non-traditional means of connectivity,such as community networks.
 </callout>
+===== Global Digital Compact  =====
+The Global Digital Compact was adopted as an annex of the UN Pact for the Future ((https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/sotf-pact_for_the_future_adopted.pdf)) in September 2024. Among its commitments to meet "Objective 1 - Close All Digital Divides And Accelerate Progress Across the Sustainable Development Goals" it contains the following:
+  * "c) Invest in and deploy resilient digital infrastructure, including satellites and local network initiatives, that provide safe and secure network coverage to all areas, including rural, remote and “hard-to-reach” areas, and promote equitable access to satellite orbits, taking into account the needs of developing countries We will aim for universal access at affordable rates and at sufficient speeds as well as reliability to enable meaningful use of the Internet (SDGs 9 and 11);"
+===== Broadband Commission  =====
+==== 21st Century Financing Models for Bridging Broadband Connectivity Gaps ====
+This report from the Broadband Commission ((https://broadbandcommission.org/publication/21st-century-financing-models/)) contains the following references:
+  * Recommends that the potential beneficiaries from USF should include not-for-profit complementary access solution providers, such as community networks.
+  * Governments can provide licensed spectrum for free to support community networks, and local authorities can ease access to RoWs and allow the use of public sites as well.
+  * Proposes an international fund, where for other projects that are less scalable, such as community networks, the fund can act as a clearing house for knowledge and best practices, while also potentially providing loans or other resources.
+  * Recommends that Governments may also explore the options and feasibility of funding allocations to empower smaller providers and implementers offering innovative business and programmatic (demand-focused) solutions and models, including, for example, community networks, rural providers, and small and medium-size ISPs.
+==== State of Broadband 2023 ====
+The State of Broadband 2023 report ((https://broadbandcommission.org/publication/state-of-broadband-2023/)) mentions "complementary connectivity solutions as recipients of the USF"
+==== Broadband Commission - Moonshot report ====
+The **Broadband Commission “Connecting Africa Through Broadband: A strategy for doubling connectivity by 2021 and reaching universal access by 2030”** [[https://www.broadbandcommission.org/Documents/working-groups/DigitalMoonshotforAfrica_Report.pdf | recognizes]] the role of community networks in 3 of the 7 Objectives of its Action Plan. Of particular interest is
+  * Objective 5: "Provide direct funding support for extending affordable broadband access to commercially challenging rural and remote areas, to women, and low-income users"
+  * and the recommendations under Objective 1 “Ensure that the commercial broadband ICT market is open and structurally prepared for competitive private investment": "Adopt open wholesale and retail telecommunications market entry policies, especially competitive and unified licensing regimes, and liberal, dynamic spectrum policies. Such policies should also accommodate community and nonprofit focused network operators who offer services in underserved areas."
 ====== Regional Organizations ======
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 <callout>29. PROMOTE the formulation of strategy and pilot projects for Unlocking Access to Basic Infrastructure and Services for Rural and Remote Areas including Indigenous Community Networks, and develop guidelines on legislation on deployment of technologies and ICT applications, to accelerate infrastructure role out in collaboration with ATU and other regional institutions;</callout>
-==== Broadband Commission - Moonshot report ====
-The **Broadband Commission “Connecting Africa Through Broadband: A strategy for doubling connectivity by 2021 and reaching universal access by 2030”** [[https://www.broadbandcommission.org/Documents/working-groups/DigitalMoonshotforAfrica_Report.pdf | recognizes]] the role of community networks in 3 of the 7 Objectives of its Action Plan. Of particular interest is Objective 5:
-<callout>Provide direct funding support for extending affordable broadband access to commercially challenging rural and remote areas, to women, and low-income users</callout>
-and the recommendations under Objective 1 “Ensure that the commercial broadband ICT market is open and structurally prepared for competitive private investment":
-<callout>Adopt open wholesale and retail telecommunications market entry policies, especially competitive and unified licensing regimes, and liberal, dynamic spectrum policies. Such policies should also accommodate community and nonprofit focused network operators who offer services in underserved areas.
-</callout>
 ==== Regional Regulatory Associations ====