Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- country-profiles:guide [2019/05/01 09:57] – [Technical and Administrative Requirements] further edits from Carlos otd_wiki
+++ country-profiles:guide [2019/05/29 11:56] – [Gender] renamed to Inclusion otd_wiki
@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 The page is organised according to the categories that are expected within each country profile.  In each category you will find key questions you should be seeking answers to, suggestions of where to find information, and examples of good practice in the various categories from around the world.
-The wiki is also designed to capture some of the information as fields in a database that will allow for some comparative analysis across countries. These fields are entered below the wiki in the form fields and are displayed in the wiki page as a variable. Items highlighted like <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">this</btn> below represent structured data stored in a database field. Database fields can be exported to spreadsheet, CSV, or JSON format.
+The wiki is also designed to capture some of the information as fields in a database that will allow for some comparative analysis across countries. These fields are entered below the wiki in the form fields and are displayed in the wiki page as a variable. Items captured in the database are displayed in a table, as in the above. Database fields can be exported to spreadsheet, CSV, or JSON format.
 <callout type="question" icon="true">In each section below, you will see questions you should be asking to find out more</callout>
 <callout type="success" icon="true">Examples of good practice are identified with a checkmark like this</callout>
-^                ^ Name                       ^ Acronym                          ^ URL                     ^ Contact ^ Twitter ^
-| **Regulator**  | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">Name of Regulator</btn>  | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">Acronym</btn> | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">website</btn> | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">contact email</btn>   | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">twitter account</btn>  |
-| **Ministry**   | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">Name of Ministry</btn>  | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">Acronym</btn>  | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">website</btn> | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">contact email</btn>   | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">twitter account</btn>  |
-| **Universal Service**   | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">Name of USAF</btn>  | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">Acronym</btn>  | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">website</btn> | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">contact email</btn>   | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">twitter account</btn>  |
-| **Spectrum Agency**   | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">Name (if different)</btn>  | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">Acronym</btn>  | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">website</btn> | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">contact email</btn>   | <btn size="sm" icon="glyphicon glyphicon-edit">twitter account</btn>  |
 ===== National Policy =====
@@ Line 176: / Line 170: @@
 == Access Networks ==
 ^ **Frequency**      ^ **Power Limit**  ^ **Transmit Power**  ^
+| //900MHz//         |   Region 2 only              ||
+| 902 – 928 MHz  | ''2.4EIRP''     ||
 | //2.4GHz//         |                 ||
 | 2400 – 2483.5 MHz  | ''2.4EIRP''     ||
@@ Line 251: / Line 247: @@
 ===== Backhaul =====
-// This is a 4th category for me: 1. National Policy, 2. Licensing Framework, 3. Wireless Spectrum Regulation, 4. This. I believe there might be a 5th one about interconnection and the like? and another one about funding opportunities/reources. Other infrastructure sharing, transparency OTD, and the like . Other one about Gender, Other about SMMEs...  //
+Backhaul refers to the source of connectivity for a network.  This may be a fibre optic network, a wireless microwave connection, or even a direct connection to a peering point such as an Internet Exchange Point (IXP).  While it is not essential for a network to connect to the rest of the internet (community networks can offer local network services), it is the most common scenario.
-    * links to backhaul service providers
+Increasing demand from internet users for access to streaming media content can dramatically increase the backhaul requirements for a community network or small-scale operator.  Whereas a 64kbps could serve an entire network 20 years ago, now network operators may require access to hundreds of megabits per second.  This can quickly become the single biggest operational expense for a small network.
-    * Open Access policies
-    * infrastructure sharing policy and regulation
+Accordingly, it is essential to understand all of the options for access to backhaul networks.  A start to this is to find maps of terrestrial fibre optic infrastructure in your country.  This includes both the routes of the network as well as the Points of Presence (PoPs) for the network.  Fibre optic networks are only accessibly through their PoPs. Accessing this information can be a challenge. Some [[good-practice:fibre|countries and operators are transparent about their network]] but they are often more the exception than the rule. Wherever possible include links to or images of maps of backhaul infrastructure and the locations of IXPs in this section.
+Fibre optic infrastructure is not the only option for backhaul.  Microwave networks are less and less common but also offer an option.  Satellite services, while typically the most expensive option, may be the only option for backhaul in remote areas.
+In this section of the profile you will also be looking for policies and regulations related to backhaul infrastructure.  This may include stated positions by the government or regulator on [[https://muninetworks.org/content/open-access | Open Access]].  It may include regulations with regard to infrastructure sharing.
+Finally, public information on backhaul pricing is [[good-practice:backhaul|available in some countries]] and it is worth investigating the availability of backhaul pricing information.
 <callout type="success" icon="true">
   * [[https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/700/pdfs/uksi_20160700_en.pdf|UK Infrastructure sharing]]
   * [[http://www.ift.org.mx/sites/default/files/industria/temasrelevantes/9472/documentos/telmexorci.pdf|Mexico regulations on infrastructure sharing]]
+  * [[http://icta.go.ke/nofbi-transmission-network/ | Kenya - National Optic Fibre Backbone Network Map]]
 </callout>
-===== Gender =====
+===== Inclusion =====
-  * links to national gender and ICT policies and initiatives
+to be re-drafted
-  * gender at the regulator
-    *  number of men in senior management at regulator  ''regMen''
-    *  number of women in senior management at regulator ''regWomen''
+<del>Internet access is an effect magnifier that can amplify access to education, markets for business, and strengthen and increase social connection.  Unfortunately that same magnifying power can amplify negative outcomes.  Care needs to be take to understand how access to communication is changing society and in particular gender relations.  Any network initiative should take into account disparities in access to, design of, participation in, and control of communication networks.
-<callout type="success" icon="true">[[https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/what-is-ofcom/corporate-responsibility/diversity-and-equality|OFCOM's policy on Gender and Diversity]]</callout>
+Some places to start with this include looking for gender-disaggregated national statistics on communication network access as well as any research into gender and ICTs in your country.
+It is also worth looking directly at the communication regulator.  Are women equally represented in senior management?  Does the regulator have a gender policy and/or strategy?
+  *  number of men in senior management at regulator  ''regMen''
+  *  number of women in senior management at regulator ''regWomen''
+</del>
+<callout type="success" icon="true">
+  * [[https://www.apc.org/sites/default/files/uganda-s-ict-laws-from-a-gender-perspective.pdf | Uganda's ICT Laws and Policies from a Gender Perspective, 2016]]
+  * [[https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/what-is-ofcom/corporate-responsibility/diversity-and-equality|UK regulator's policy on Gender and Diversity]]
+</callout>
 ===== Universal Service =====
-  * Point to universal service policies and obligations.
+Universal Service in telecommunications refers to the policy of providing some level of service to all citizens.  Recognising that the private sector cannot be relied to provide services in remote, low-income, and/or sparsely populated areas that may not generate sufficient turnover to match their business models, universal service initiatives were designed to incentivise / subsidence the build-out of telecommunications infrastructure in underserved regions.  This usually takes them form of a fund which is created through a levy on existing national network operators as some percentage of their turnover.  This fund is sometimes operated by the regulator, or by government or by a semi-independent entity.  In particular it would be useful to detail the processes and timing and qualification criteria for accessing universal service funds.
-  * Have Universal Services funds been used to support community networks?  How?
-Does  your Country offer support for local entrepreneurs that are  implementing sustainable business models for the development of rural communications, either through the Universal Service Fund or other initiatives?
+Another way in which universal service policies may manifest themselves is in coverage obligations attached to operator licenses, often to spectrum licenses purchased at auction. You may wish to list them here or in the spectrum licensing section and provide a link/pointer here.
-// As said, not sure about this... I would add them in different parts of the document... //
+In this part of the profile, you should point to national universal service policies and obligations.  In particular, it would be worth investigating whether universal services funds been used to support community networks in your country.  If so, how.
- * Obligations where they belong, (in the case of SA they are part of the spectrum licensing framework, I would add them to "administrative requirements"
+Does your Country offer support for local entrepreneurs that are implementing sustainable business models for the development of rural communications, either through the Universal Service Fund or other initiatives?
- * contributions to the fund where they belong, (In the case of SA they are part of the licensing framework, I would add them in "other administrative costs"
- * opportunities to apply for them, where they belong. (as mentioned, it would be interesting to list some sort of potential sources of funding)
-If you want to keep this section, maybe just an introduction on the top about their nature, and the agency, agencies that manage each of the different aspects about, and then refer to the potential sections where they might be included.
+<callout type="success" icon="true">
+  * [[http://www.usaasa.org.za/about/index.html | Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA)]]
+</callout>
 ===== Cooperatives =====
+The [[https://www.ica.coop/en/cooperatives/cooperative-identity | International Cooperative Alliance defines cooperatives]] as an “autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.”  Cooperatives can be a powerful organisation model for telecommunications networks, especially in underserved regions.  In this section, you should identify cooperative legislation and any associated documentation or resources available to cooperatives.  Also, if there are existing telecommunications and/or broadband cooperatives in your country, please link to them here.
 <callout type="question" icon="true">
-  * Does cooperative legislation exist?
+  * [[http://www.kenyalaw.org/kl/fileadmin/pdfdownloads/Acts/Co-operativeSocietiesActCap490.pdf | Kenya Co-operatives Societies Act]]
-  * Are there tax relief / incentives available for cooperatives?
+  * [[https://b4rn.org.uk/ | Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN)]] in Lancaschire, UK
-  * Are there any limitations on cooperatives providing telecom/internet?
+  * [[http://zenzeleni.net/ | Zenzeleni Co-operative]] in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
 </callout>
 ===== Resources / References =====
-  * Other relevant web resources, reports, analysis.
+This last section is optional and can be used to point to additional national resources or information that is relevant to community networks and/or small-scale operators that is not captured in the above categories.
 ----
 == Coding examples ==
-This could be used to frame specific questions that should be asked
+Within the wiki you can use this special formatting comments to highlight particularly important information, relevant examples or questions that should be asked.
 <callout type="tip" icon="true">This could be for hints / tips / tricks on finding information, what to look for etc.</callout>