Public Consultations and Workshops

Below is a compendium of contributions civil society organizations to different calls from various public bodies around the world for public on policy and regulatory issues related to community-centred connectivity providers as well as workshops on policy and regulation.

Brazil

Organisation	Consultation	Respondents	Date	Contribution
Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (Anatel)	Public Consultation N65 on the Simplification of the Regulation of Telecommunication Services	ISOC Brasil, IBEBrasil, Intervozes - Coletivo Brasil de Comunicação Social, Association for Progressive Communications (APC), Rhizomatica Communications, Redes por la Diversidad, Equidad y Sustentabilidad, A.C., Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor (IDEC), Instituto Nupef and Coalizão Direitos na Rede (CDR)	16 Nov 2020	Download Letter of Support and Download

ISOC Brasil, IBEBrasil, Intervozes - Coletivo Brasil de Comunicação Social, Association for Progressive Communications (APC), Rhizomatica Communications, Redes por la Diversidad, Equidad y Sustentabilidad, A.C., Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor (IDEC), Instituto Nupef and Coalizão Direitos na Rede (CDR) response to Anatel's Public Consultation N65 on the Simplification of the Regulation of Telecommunication Services. 16 November 2020. Download Letter of Support Download contribution.

Canada

Organisation	Consultation	Respondents	Date	Contribution
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Technical and Policy Framework for White Space Devices, SMSE-018-17	Internet Society (ISOC) and Association for Progressive Communications (APC)	15 Feb 2018	Download
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	New Access Licensing Framework, Changes to Subordinate Licensing and White Space to Support Rural and Remote Deployment	Mozilla and Internet Society	26 Oct 2021	Download
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Non-Competitive Local Licensing Framework, Including Spectrum in the 3900-3980 MHz Band and Portions of the 26, 28 and 38 GHz Bands	Mozilla, Internet Society, and Connect Humanity	14 Nov 2022	Download

Internet Society (ISOC) and Association for Progressive Communications (APC) Response to Innovation, Science and Economic Development’s (ISED)Consultation on the Technical and Policy Framework for White Space Devices, SMSE-018-17. 15 February 2018. Download Contribution .

Joint Mozilla / Internet Society (ISOC) submission to Canadian spectrum regulator on their Consultation on a New Access Licensing Framework, Changes to Subordinate Licensing and White Space to Support Rural and Remote Deployment. 26 October 2021 Download local copy.

Joint submission by Mozilla, Internet Society, and Connect Humanity to a consultation by Canada Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) on a “Non-Competitive Local Licensing Framework, Including Spectrum in the 3900-3980 MHz Band and Portions of the 26, 28 and 38 GHz Bands”. 14 November 2022. Submission available online. Local copy.

Colombia

Organisation	Consultation	Respondents	Date	Contribution
Agencia Nacional del Espectro (ANE)	Public Consultation for the 900 MHz band	Colnodo with support from Rhizomatica	Nov 2021	Download (Spanish)
Agencia Nacional del Espectro (ANE)	Draft spectrum policy	Colnodo with support from Rhizomatica	Jul 2020	Download (Spanish)

Colnodo, with support from Rhizomatica, submitted comments on the Public Consultation for the 900 MHz band. November 2021 Download Contribution (Spanish).

Colnodo, with support from APC and Rhizomatica, submitted comments on the draft 2020-2024 spectrum policy in Colombia Spanish English . July 2020. Download Contribution.

Ethiopia

Organisation	Consultation	Respondents	Date	Contribution
Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA)	Ethiopian Telecommunications Sector Stakeholder Consultation No. 001-2019 Notice 1003	Association for Progressive Communications, the Alliance for Affordable Internet, Internet Society, Network for Digital Rights for Ethiopia and Bahir Dar Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) Research Center	Nov 2019	Download
Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA)	Telecommunications Licensing Directive No. 1/2020	APC, ICT4D (Information and Communication Technology for Development) Research Centre at Bahir Dar University, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Internet Society Ethiopia Chapter, the Internet Society and the Network for Digital Rights in Ethiopia	Jun 2020	Download
Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA)	Telecommunications Licensing Directive No. 1/2020 - Universal Access and Service Framework and Universal Access Fund Regulation	APC, the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), ICT4D (Information and Communication Technology for Development) Research Centre at Bahir Dar University, the Internet Society Ethiopia Chapter, the Internet Society and the Network for Digital Rights in Ethiopia	Oct 2020	Download

Joint submission from the Association for Progressive Communications, the Alliance for Affordable Internet, Internet Society, Network for Digital Rights for Ethiopia and Bahir Dar Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) Research Center to the Telecommunications Sector Stakeholder Consultation No. 001-201. November 2019. Download Contribution .

Comments from APC, ICT4D (Information and Communication Technology for Development) Research Centre at Bahir Dar University, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Internet Society Ethiopia Chapter, the Internet Society and the Network for Digital Rights in Ethiopia on the Telecommunications Licensing Directive No. 1/2020. June 2020. Download Contribution .

Comments from APC, the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), ICT4D (Information and Communication Technology for Development) Research Centre at Bahir Dar University, the Internet Society Ethiopia Chapter, the Internet Society and the Network for Digital Rights in Ethiopia on the Telecommunications Licensing Directive No. 1/2020. October 2020. Download Contribution .

Kenya

Organisation	Consultation	Respondents	Date	Contribution
Communications Authority (CA)	National Broadband Strategy	Association for Progressive Communications (APC) in collaboration with Rhizomatica, the Internet Society (ISOC), the World Wide Web Foundation/Alliance for Affordable Internet, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa, the Tunapanda Institute and the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet)	Mar 2019	Download
Communications Authority (CA)	Public consultation on TV White Space spectrum	Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), the Tunapanda Institute, the Association for Progressive Communications, Internet Society ​and Rhizomatica	Apr 2020	Download
Communications Authority (CA)	Public consultation on a Licensing and Shared Spectrum Framework for Community Networks	Association for Progressive Communications (APC) in collaboration with Rhizomatica	May 2021	Download

Joint submission from the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) in collaboration with Rhizomatica, the Internet Society (ISOC), the World Wide Web Foundation/Alliance for Affordable Internet, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa, the Tunapanda Institute and the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) to the National Broadband Strategy. March 2019. Download Contribution.

Joint submission from the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), the Tunapanda Institute, the Association for Progressive Communications, Internet Society ​and Rhizomatica to Public Consultation on TVWS Kenya. April 2020. Download Contribution .

In a landmark process for community networks in the region, in May 2021 the Communication Authority of Kenya, held a Public Consultation requesting comments to the Licensing and Shared Spectrum Framework for Community Networks. Download Framework

Indonesia

Organisation	Consultation	Respondents	Date	Contribution
None	Policy Brief For Supporting Community Networks Development In Indonesia	Common Room and colleagues (see document for full list)	Nov 2022	Download

Policy Brief For Supporting Community Networks Development In Indonesia developed by Common Room and colleagues. November 2022. Local copy

India

Organisation	Consultation	Respondents	Date	Contribution
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)	Auction of Spectrum in frequency bands identified for IMT/5G	Center for Internet and Society and Mozilla Corporation	Jan 2022	Submission Local copy

In January 2022, CIS and Mozilla submitted a response to the TRAI consultation on Auction of Spectrum in frequency bands identified for IMT/5G. Local copy of submission.

Mexico

Organisation	Consultation	Respondents	Date	Contribution
Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT)	Consulta Pública sobre el Proyecto de Bases de Licitación Pública para concesionar el uso, aprovechamiento y explotación comercial de segmentos de espectro radioeléctrico disponibles en las Bandas de Frecuencias 814-824 / 859-869 MHz, 1755-1760 / 2155-2160 MHz, 1910-1915 / 1990-1995 MHz y 2500-2530 / 2620-2650 MHz para la prestación de servicios de Acceso Inalámbrico (Licitación No. IFT-10)	Telecomunicaciones Indígenas Comunitarias, A. C	Oct 2020	Download Contribution (Spanish)

Telecomunicaciones Indígenas Comunitarias, A. C. submitted comments to the Consulta Pública sobre el Proyecto de Bases de Licitación Pública para concesionar el uso, aprovechamiento y explotación comercial de segmentos de espectro radioeléctrico disponibles en las Bandas de Frecuencias 814-824 / 859-869 MHz, 1755-1760 / 2155-2160 MHz, 1910-1915 / 1990-1995 MHz y 2500-2530 / 2620-2650 MHz para la prestación de servicios de Acceso Inalámbrico (Licitación No. IFT-10) . October 2020. Download Contribution (Spanish)

Nigeria

Organisation	Consultation	Respondents	Date	Contribution
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)	Consultation on Information Memorandum on 3.5GHz Spectrum Auction	Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) and Association for Progressive Communications (APC)	Oct 2021	Download
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)	Publication of Final Information Memorandum for the Auction of 2 x 100MHz in the 3.5GHz Spectrum Band	Association for Progressive Communications (APC)	Nov 2022	Download

CITAD's and APC's Submission to the Nigerian Communications Commission consultation on the Information Memorandum on 3.5GHz Spectrum Auction. October 2021. Download Contribution .

APC's Submission to the Nigerian Communications Commission Publication of Final Information Memorandum for the Auction of 2 x 100MHz in the 3.5GHz Spectrum Band . November 2022. Download Contribution .

Pakistan

Organisation	Consultation	Respondents	Date	Contribution
Government of Pakistan	Contribution to the development of a Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy containing targets for community networks	GDIP (formerly Alliance for Affordable Internet) and Internet Society	Mar 2024	Strategy

GDIP (formerly Alliance for Affordable Internet) and Internet Society contributed to the development of a Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy containing targets for community networks

Philippines

Organisation	Consultation	Respondents	Date	Contribution
Senate of the Philippines	Open Data Transmission Bill	Association for Progressive Communications (APC)	Aug 2021	Letter to senators in support of the Bill
Senate of the Philippines	Konektadong Pinoy Act (Open Access in Data Transmission Act)	PBG, JFC, Industry Associations, and Civil Society Organisations	Jul 2024	Download

Response by APC to an Open Data Transmission Bill being discussed by the Senate. August 2021. APC submitted a letter to senators in support of the Bill.

Joint statement in 2024 from Philippines NGOs, including APC, calling on Philippine president to certify as urgent the proposed Konektadong Pinoy Act (Open Access in Data Transmission Act)

South Africa

Organisation	Consultation	Respondents	Date	Contribution
Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS)	Electronic Communications Amendment Bill Consultative Process	Zenzeleni Networks NPC in conjunction with the Association for Progressive Communications and the University of the Western Cape	Jan 2018	Download
Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS)	Notice 1003 in Government Gazette No. 41935 - Proposed policy on licensing unassigned high-demand spectrum and deployment of the WOAN	Zenzeleni Networks NPC, the Association for Progressive Communications, the University of the Western Cape, the University of Cape Town and Rhizomatica	Nov 2018	Download
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)	Provisioning of Mobile Broadband Wireless Open Access Services for Urban and Rural Areas Using the Complementary Bands, IMT700, IMT800, IMT2300, IMT2600 and IMT3500	Zenzeleni Networks and APC	Jan 2020	Download
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)	Electronic Communications Act (36/2005): Notice regarding Information Memorandum on Licensing of Spectrum in the IMT700, IMT800, IMT2600 and IMT3500 Bands	Association for Progressive Communications (APC)	Nov 2021	Download Contribution
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)	Second Information Memorandum on the Licensing Process for International Mobile Telecommunications in Respect of the Provision of Mobile Broadband Wireless Access Services for Urban and Rural Areas Using the Complementary Bands,IMT700, IMT800, IMT2600 And IMT3500, for Public Consultation	Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), Association for Progressive Communications, Mozilla Corporation, Rodwyn Grewan (individual), Soweto Wireless User Group, University of the Western Cape, Violence Prevention Through Urban Upgrading (VPUU NPC), Zenzeleni Networks (Non Profit Company & Public Benefit Organisation)	Nov 2021	Download
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)	Information Memorandum Regarding ICASA’s Intentions to Initiate the Second Phase of the Licensing Process and to make available Radio Frequency Spectrum to Prospective Licensees to Provide Mobile Broadband Wireless Access Services in the Low and Mid Radio Frequency Bands	Association for Progressive Communications, Mozilla Corporation, University of the Western Cape, Zenzeleni Networks NPC	Sep 2022	Download
Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) formerly DTPS	Consultation on a Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy for Economic Development	Association for Progressive Communications, Mozilla Corporation, University of the Western Cape, Zenzeleni Networks NPC and partners	Oct 2022	Download
Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) formerly DTPS	Invitation to provide written comments on Proposed Electronic Communications Amendment Bill, 2022	Association for Progressive Communications, Mozilla Corporation, University of the Western Cape, Zenzeleni Networks NPC	Aug 2023	Download submission

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Submission by Zenzeleni Networks NPC in conjunction with the Association for Progressive Communications and the University of the Western Cape”, Electronic Communications Amendment Bill Consultative Process. 31 January 2018. Download Contribution .

Submission by Zenzeleni Networks NPC, the Association for Progressive Communications, the University of the Western Cape, the University of Cape Town and Rhizomatica on proposed policy on licensing unassigned high-demand spectrum and deployment of the WOAN. 8 November 2018. Download Contribution .

Zenzeleni Networks and APC comments in respect of the Provisioning of Mobile Broadband Wireless Open Access Services for Urban and Rural Areas Using the Complementary Bands, IMT700, IMT800, IMT2300, IMT2600 and IMT3500. January 2020. Download Contribution .

APC's Response to Electronic Communications Act (36/2005): Notice regarding Information Memorandum on Licensing of Spectrum in the IMT700, IMT800, IMT2600 and IMT3500 Bands. October 2021. Online Download Contribution .

Multistakeholder Response to the Second Information Memorandum on the Licensing Process for International Mobile Telecommunications in Respect of the Provision of Mobile Broadband Wireless Access Services for Urban and Rural Areas Using the Complementary Bands,IMT700, IMT800, IMT2600 And IMT3500, for Public Consultation. November 2021. Download Contribution .

Multistakeholder Response to the Information Memorandum Regarding ICASA’s Intentions to Initiate the Second Phase of the Licensing Process and to make available Radio Frequency Spectrum to Prospective Licensees to Provide Mobile Broadband Wireless Access Services in the Low and Mid Radio Frequency Bands. September 2022. Download submission

Multistakeholder response to the Consultation on a Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy for Economic Development. October 2022. Download submission

Invitation to provide written comments on Proposed Electronic Communications Amendment Bill, 2022, 23 June 2023. Final submission made on 31 August 2023 by APC, Mozilla, University of the Western Cape, and Zenzeleni Networks. Download submission

Tanzania

Organisation	Consultation	Respondents	Date	Contribution
Ministry of Communication and Information Technology	Proposed amendments to the Electronic and Postal Communications (Digital and Other Broadcasting Networks and Services) Regulations	Tanzania Community Networks Alliance	Aug 2021	Download

Tanzania Community Networks Alliance comments on amendments proposed to the Electronic and Postal Communications (Digital and Other Broadcasting Networks and Services) Regulations. August 2021.

Uganda

Joint submission from APC, Rhizomatica, Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), the AfChix Uganda chapter, BOSCO Uganda and the Internet Society to the Proposed review of the Licensing Framework for the telecommunications sector in Uganda. April 2019. Download Contribution .

Joint submission by BOSCO, RENU, and APC to Consultation on Uganda Communications Commission Guidelines for the Utilisation of the 5GHz Band for Wireless Access Networks in Uganda. February 2022. Download Contribution

Joint submission by BOSCO and APC to Consultation on a Uganda National Broadband Baseline Survey & Infrastructure Blueprint. February 2022. Download Contribution.

Zimbabwe

Joint submission from Murambinda Works, Association for Progressive Communications, Internet Society and Rhizomatica to the Consultation on Light Licensing of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz band in Zimbabwe. February 2019. Download Contribution .