Towards internet connectivity for all: an exploration of a community network model

Unequal access to and usage of broadband internet in many countries are most prominent in rural and remote areas. It has become clear that the for-profit models of mainstream telecommunications companies will not address this state of gross inequality. There is evidence in the literature that Community Networks have the potential to address this digital divide. However there are limited models and guidelines available on what comprises the critical success factors within the broader ecosystem that comprise Community Networks. In light of this, this paper undertakes a qualitative analysis of subset of a recently compiled compendium of Community Network Case studies with a focus on North American and European regions. Drawing on the literature the People, Technology, Organisation and Environment (PTOE) framework was developed out of a synthesis of previous models. The PTOE framework is used as the lens to analyse the selected case studies. The findings present a range of elements of the Community Network ecosystem, which traverses the micro to the macro perspectives of critical success factors that relate to network implementation and sustainability. The findings indicate that the critical success factors include, amongst others, trust in technology, public support, collaborative capacity, access, appropriateness, technology affordability, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. The resultant framework provides a model for evaluating Community Networks in other settings and geographies. The model also serves as a basis to inform future implementations of Community Networks.