This report reflects the progress of the Building Profitable and Sustainable Community-Owned Interconnection Networks seminar in the context of Innovation for Inclusion. This Proceedings Report is a product of the Academy of Science South Africa (ASSAf) in collaboration with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) on Innovation for Inclusive Development (IID) seminars. One of the key roles of the Department for Science and Innovation (DSI) is to catalyze the digital ecosystem and develop scalable models for community-owned connectivity networks for emulation in other areas.
One of the targets of Sustainable Development Goal number 9 (SDG#9) is increased access to ICTs. These solutions are partly possible due to the breakdown of the value chain in the telecommunications industry. One of the sustainability models is a layered structure with micro-organizations (providing services to end users) and meso-organizations (providing services and support to micro-organizations).
Micro-organizations depend on external expert support and the sustainability of meso-organizations is based on a percentage of the micro-organizations' income. Rural development takes time, as does developing the skills and confidence levels of the micro-organisations. South Africa is leading the way, especially when compared to any other country in Africa.
The ownership of the CNs is based on sharing and the commons approach to managing local resources.
Building Profitable and Sustainable Community Networks
This information supported by the propagation models provided an estimate of the amount of TVWS available at a given location before the CN allocated a channel to the devices. SOWUG was founded in February 2010 as an NPO with the help of the Internet Society. The founders of SOWUG felt that it was necessary to adapt the network to enable Internet access for social, educational purposes as well as the development of the wider community by providing access to information.
Access to finance to give local entrepreneurs the opportunity to participate in skills development and specialized training in the technical aspects of the networks they build. The substations are located in specific parts of the township and are managed by people from the local community who also manage the on-site power supply. The COCNs work with local authorities to inform them about the services they provide and receive their support in terms of the role that COCNs play in providing affordable universal access to connectivity.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the extent of the digital divide in this country and highlighted the role COCNs could play in helping to bridge this divide. Companies invested in building communities by providing exposure to digital technologies, partnering with NGOs to open Wi-Fi hotspots and using connectivity to bridge the communication gap, as well as helping them create their own content , start communicating with each other and grow small business using CN. The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) has funded and spearheaded the government's SA Connect initiative, which aims to provide widespread broadband access to the entire population by 2030.
Ms Mkwanazi recommended that CNs should be at the forefront of the rollout of Phase 2 of the SA Connect initiative and that technical support should be provided to CNs, possibly through the Universal Service and Access Fund. Interesting innovations that have been critical in infrastructure include a small and inexpensive device from 2006 that could run embedded Linux. About 42% of the South African population could benefit from TVWS or any technology below 1 GHz.
Work done in Zambia showed that 60% of message traffic in a certain village was between local users in the village, but the Internet is not designed for a place of interest. Economic systems that create network ownership and reward those who work to expand the network. In 2010, the 75th anniversary of rural electrification, cooperatives operated 2.5 million miles—42% of the nation's distribution lines.
Q&A, Discussions and Recommendations
According to Dr. Carlos the requirements to be a member of the NPC and what are the benefits? Regarding the above question: Requirements and benefits of membership in the APC. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has, in terms of regulation 26 of the Regulations on the Use of Television White Spaces, 2018 (“the Regulations”), published in Government Gazette no.
The whole point and power of the internet is that we are not bound by geography. In many places there are many towers around especially the old Telkom DECT towers in the Eastern Cape and KZN. We have been to various places including (Free State) Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu and (Mpumalanga) Embalenhle and can say that the network in the areas is poor.
We have 12 years of experience in various IT fields professionally, we are really trying to make our company a part of the telecommunication industry. Dr. Carlos Rey-Moreno, Association for Progressive Communications (APC) I will certainly follow up on this. Mobile broadband in South Africa cannot be part of any alternative solutions, given that efforts to extend the reach of alternative infrastructure such as landline or fixed wireless to poorer areas, even if only in the form of public Wi-Fi, remain an important solution to high data prices now and in the future.
Dr. Carlos Rey-Moreno, Association for Progressive Communications (APC) Each country tends to have a regulator independent of the Ministry of Communications, although in some countries it is still embedded. There are different parts of the spectrum used for different services (GPS, radio, TV), each part has different characteristics. How do you deal with the environmental impact of the wireless communication networks, especially in rural areas.
But looking at the carbon footprint of the telecom industry is truly something to behold, and CN's are truly a drop in the ocean. This is true, but the returns from good connection compounds - Zenzelen has shown us how quickly - if there is a good connection, then it is easier for hookers who are unqualified, locally, to make video calls and show what they are struggling with, and for an expert anywhere else in the world to help them. This engagement will be used as part of DSI's ongoing discussions with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.
Soodyall thanked everyone involved in the webinar, including the presenters, participants and facilitator. By engaging all stakeholders, the Academy plays a unique role as a neutral mediator, bringing together the various conversations under one umbrella so that the nation can grow in achieving the collective evidence-based use of science in the service of society.
Closing Remarks and Way Forward
Ms. Mkhize thanked everyone for the interesting discussion and noted the appreciation for the fact that CNs were not only about access, but also how they enabled community-owned networks to be Internet service providers. The presentations as well as the report from this webinar will be shared with all participants. The engagement highlighted what is possible through government, business, community and academic partnerships.
This webinar brought that kind of dialogue to the fore and was definitely a knowledge-growing experience.
Annexure A: Acronyms
Annexure B: Participants
Mr Johnson Marema South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) Mr Koketso Marishane Marishane Youth Forum. Ms. Tankiso Phidza Gemini GIS and Environmental Services Mr Keith Pitout Indigo Broadband South Africa. Ms. Portia Vilakazi Duzi uMngeni Conservation Trust Mr. Jabulani Vilakazi Soweto Wireless Users Group (SOWUG) Ms. Jacqueline Willems Pro-Novium.
Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
