World Dialogue on Regulation

This research topic will examine alternative models of network financing, ownership and management, with a particular focus on local ownership of networks in rural communities. It will look at a variety of models, including microfinance, cooperatives, SMEs, municipal government ownership, public-private partnerships and scenarios in which different entities own different parts of the network (i.e. private backbone and cooperative last mile). It will also look at changing technologies that are making local ownership and management possible (especially wireless) and at policy and regulatory best (and worst) practices.