[Chapter-delegates] Community owned Fiber Networks

[Dave Burstein]

Glenn

I've supported community networks for two decades, including by
volunteering. It's a great dream and sometimes works. The Berkman report
looks at some of the successes, nearly all muni. The city of Munich and
Hamburg are among the best ISPs in Germany.

However, many community networks have been miserable failures. Burlington
Vermont and the multi-city UTOPIA went bankrupt after investment of tens of
millions. That's unfortunately all too common. In addition, as those
criticizing the Berkman report emphasize, many of these networks will never
be able to repay the initial public investment. Dedicated believers on both
sides emphasize the data that supports their position.

ISOC has chosen to define "community networks" as bottom-up organizations *in
areas that do not already have coverage.* That's where the need is
greatest, but those areas are generally the hardest to cover. Low
population density raises costs dramatically. Rural backhaul costs are
usually ruinous. It's not impossible, but remarkably few bottom up
community networks have delivered broadband for more than a few years.

The most constructive role ISOC could play is to find long term successes,
learn from them, and pass on that information.

(As a reporter, I'm looking for examples to learn from. Please let me know
off list. )
-----------------

I've reported about why some succeed and others fail. *Nearly all the
successes are supported by municipal power and/or water utilities. *Those
without a local team experienced in running networks most often fail. There
are dozens of examples. It is *hard* to reliably run a network for years.

It's possible to learn how, especially if you have a technical background,
which is why I'm hopeful for the Brooklyn Mesh.
================

Supporting bottom up community networks is good work if we can do it
effectively. But after twenty years, I can't think of a single country
where they approach even 2%. These are old ideas, tried often, and only
right in special circumstances.


*The takeaway for ISOC is that we also need policies for the 98+% who will
not be reached by our CN programs. *
I like the A4AI’s “1 for 2” target
<http://a4ai.org/1for2-affordability-target/> for affordable internet  —
1GB of mobile broadband data available for 2% or less of GNI per capita.

ISOC has the funding, reputation, and desire to influence the cost of
access for the remaining 98%.

Let's figure out how we can be effective.







-- 
Editor, Fast Net News, Wireless One.news, Net Policy News and DSL Prime
Author with Jennie Bourne  DSL (Wiley) and Web Video: Making It Great,
Getting It Noticed (Peachpit)
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