Information Society Watch

November 20, 2006, Sascha Meinrath, Digital Communities

This article is part of a three-part series on digital inclusion. The author interviews a number of key coordinators of American community internet and media projects, thus synthesising an analysis on ways to combat systematic exclusion from the means of communication. Due to market failures, those in poorer communities will inevitably suffer from dis- or mal-connectivity. Therefore local government needs to commit funds and resources to at least match the contributions of the private sector. Such budgetary contribution can be made possible by policies which facilitate community broadband networks and focus on public service provision. An open public network infrastructure would ensure the Internet is available to all users. The author also provides several guidelines that communities can follow to ameliorate connectivity.

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