[DC3] Suggestions for the Alliance for Affordable Internet

Dear all, I have been invited to participate to the meeting of the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) that will take place next week in Washington, DC. The A4AI aims at fostering affordable internet access but, over the past weeks, has been criticised for being excessively business-oriented. I believe that those who have worked within the A4AI, so far, have missed the importance of concrete alternatives to "traditional" approaches, such as community networks that DC3 advocates for. My understanding is that A4AI is open to consider alternatives and I will participate to the A4AI meeting with the goal of stressing the importance of promoting a variety of different approaches rather than focusing only on the strategies that have been analysed/encouraged so far. I am open to any suggestions from list-members with regard to relevant points to stress during the A4AI meeting. There are already a number of examples of successful CN experiences (e.g. DEF India, guifi.net, Altermundi, etc.) showing that it is possible to empower individuals allowing them to make connectivity more ubiquitous and sustainable, rather than merely trying to make it more affordable via "conventional" strategies. And many other possibilities are available, including exploiting untapped resources such as abandoned copper infrastructure or unexploited spectrum, as stressed by Bob. I would be more than happy to convey any other example, opinion or suggestion you have as regards alternative approaches that should be considered to foster connectivity. Thanks in advance for your suggestions and comments. Best Luca [FGV Direito Rio] Luca Belli, PhD Pesquisador | Researcher Lead of Internet Governance @ FGV<http://internet-governance.fgv.br/> luca.belli(a)fgv.br +55 21 3799 5763 [http://www.fgv.br/mailing/Direito_Rio/assinatura_email/Ondas.png]