Including Indigenous voices in the decisions and solutions that shape the Internet is a vital part of closing the global digital divide.

Each year, the community-led Indigenous Connectivity Summit brings together Indigenous leaders, community members, community network operators, Internet service providers, researchers and policy makers with a common goal: connecting Indigenous communities to fast, affordable and sustainable Internet.

The 2019 Indigenous Connectivity Summit will host a two-day conference that focuses on building partnerships, advocating regulatory changes, and sharing success stories of community networks throughout Canada and the United States.

The Internet Society is at the heart of the Internet community and active in conferences and events around the world, many of which it organizes or supports directly.

Together we promote the creation and growth of Community Networks, increase collaboration between community network operators in the region, and provide an opportunity for them to engage with others.

Community Networks provide an alternative and sustainable solution to address the connectivity gaps that exist in urban, remote, and rural areas around the world. In Africa, where these gaps are more evident, a recent survey was able to identify 37 Community Networks initiatives in 12 African countries, 25 of which are considered active. Many more Community Networks have come up after the report, in part, thanks to the training and the experience that have been shared in the previous Summits held in Kenya and South Africa. Among them is the Kondoa Community Network, in Tanzania, which will be featured in this year’s Summit.

The 4th Summit on Community Networks (CNs) in Africa will take place in Dodoma, Tanzania from 28 October – 2 November 2019. The Summit hopes to promote the creation and growth of community networks, increase collaboration between community network operators in the region, and provide an opportunity for them to engage with other stakeholders.

The main activities planned include:

• Training Workshop: 28 – 29 October 2019
• Community Network Summit Plenary: 30 – 31 October 2019
• Site Visit to Kondoa Community Network: 1 – 2 November 2019

Full Agenda