The newsletter celebrates the Konektadong Pinoy Act’s passage in the Philippines, aimed at extending connectivity to underserved areas. It also features global community connectivity efforts, a podcast episode with insights from John Garrity, and personal stories exemplifying the impact of enhanced internet access. Supplementary resources and a repository for community training materials are also provided, underpinning the commitment to foster an environment for community networks to thrive.
This month, we are pleased to announce the passage of the Konektadong Pinoy Act in the Philippines, which aims to enhance connectivity for underserved communities. This new legislation, supported by numerous societal organizations, is designed to accelerate network development especially in rural regions. Key measures include simplifying licensing procedures, optimizing permits, promoting investments, and broadening radio spectrum access.
In addition, this newsletter features various community-centered connectivity projects from countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, India, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. We invite you to explore these initiatives and celebrate local efforts to boost access networks and community-based solutions.
In our 11th episode of the Routing for Communities podcast, John Garrity shares insights from Manila, discussing the various challenges impacting the USAID Better Access and Connectivity project. Listeners are encouraged to tune in on this page, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, as the first season includes 12 enlightening episodes that highlight global community experiences.
Furthermore, we highlight a video from India featuring Layak Ram, a network engineer at the Digital Empowerment Foundation, who discusses the transformative impact of wireless internet on his community. This is an engaging depiction of community-driven connectivity changes.
We also provide resources including publications, research, toolkits, information on relevant events, and available funding opportunities. The community networks learning repository serves as a valuable online platform to share resources that are advantageous in training for community networks.
This newsletter is produced as part of the Local Networks initiative (LocNet), organized by APC and Rhizomatica in conjunction with grassroots groups and supportive organizations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The initiative seeks to bolster meaningful community-centered connectivity projects while fostering an environment conducive to their growth.
If you would like to invite others to subscribe to this monthly newsletter or provide feedback, please feel free to reach out to us. We are eager to incorporate relevant information into future editions, ensuring continued engagement with our audience.
The recent passage of the Konektadong Pinoy Act marks a significant step toward improving connectivity accessibility for underserved communities in the Philippines. This initiative not only promises enhanced network development but also reflects a wider commitment to global community-centered connectivity projects. Various stories from around the world, including podcasts and personal accounts, illustrate the tangible benefits that connectivity can bring to communities.
Original Source: www.apc.org
