{"id":239236,"date":"2025-12-10T19:05:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T19:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.internetsociety.org\/?page_id=239236"},"modified":"2025-12-18T16:26:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T16:26:53","slug":"community-centered-connectivity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.internetsociety.org\/our-work\/connectivity\/community-centered-connectivity\/","title":{"rendered":"Community-Centered Connectivity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Community-Centered Connectivity<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Helping Communities to Bridge the Digital Divide<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Helping Communities to Bridge the Digital Divide<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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We support community-centered connectivity initiatives\u2014like community broadband networks and models that are adaptable to the communities they serve\u2014to help people take Internet access into their own hands, bridging the digital divide and creating lasting digital inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over 2 billion people are still offline. Connectivity gaps persist not only because of infrastructure or technology but also because of structural barriers like affordability, digital literacy, and relevance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Internet does not reach everyone the same way, and the people who remain unconnected are often those who are systematically excluded in other ways. We need solutions where the people who use the Internet are empowered to bring it to those who don\u2019t. Community-centered connectivity solutions, like community networks, can help.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Community-Centered Connectivity<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Helping Communities to Bridge the Digital Divide<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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We support community-centered connectivity initiatives\u2014like community broadband networks and models that are adaptable to the communities they serve\u2014to help people take Internet access into their own hands, bridging the digital divide and creating lasting digital inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About 2.2 billion people are still offline. Connectivity gaps persist not only because of infrastructure or technology but also because of structural barriers like affordability, digital literacy, and relevance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Internet does not reach everyone the same way, and the people who remain unconnected are often those who are systematically excluded in other ways. We need solutions where the people who use the Internet are empowered to bring it to those who don\u2019t. Community-centered connectivity solutions, like community networks, can help.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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What Is Community-Centered Connectivity?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What Is Community-Centered Connectivity and Why It Matters?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Community-centered connectivity<\/a> is when connectivity solutions are built for, with, or by local communities themselves. These solutions are not imposed from outside, but instead are designed with direct involvement from the people who will use and maintain them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These solutions include community networks, indigenous-led connectivity projects, cooperatives, and a series of other adaptable models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to Set Up a Community Broadband Network<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How to Set Up a Community Broadband Network<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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So you would like to build a local network to bring Internet access to your community, but you don\u2019t know where to begin? This \u201cDIY Toolkit\u201d<\/a> provides the steps you need to get going, along with links to additional resources when you want to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How We Address Global Inequality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How We Address Global Inequality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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We\u2019re helping close the digital divide by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n