Argentina has been working to include and encourage a different type of solutions that allow connectivity throughout the country. Rural and remote areas, with low population density, have represented a challenge from the geographical point of view as well as from the business profitability to attract licensees willing to provide ICT services. In this context community networks are developed as a solution to connect communities that would otherwise be excluded from ICT.
The objective of these Networks is to provide connectivity in rural, remote unserved and underserved areas, in which the inhabitants themselves are responsible for helping to deploy the infrastructure, including civil works, installation of equipment and the network management.
A solution was sought from ENACOM for these networks could be developed under the regulatory framework, with all the benefits that come with being a licensee recognized by national regulations. To this end, a specific community networks license regime for the provision of ICT Services for Internet access was approved.
This recognition marks a milestone since there are not many similar cases in other regions yet.
ENACOM takes the lead in enabiling an innovative legal framework with the aim of guaranteeing everybody’s equal access to licensees regime.

https://www.enacom.gob.ar/licencias-de-servicios-de-tecnologias-de-la-informacion-y-las-comunicaciones_p2360

• Argentina

• Indigenous and nomadic peoples
• Remote and rural communities

The recognition of like community networks could work in other countries and regions. While, of course, there are differences between ICT legal frameworks worldwide, this licensing approach could be replicated elsewhere.

The implementation of this project does not require resources.

The actions taken by ENACOM to include community networks in the regulatory framework are closely related to the need to promote greater equality by establishing the requirements to be part of the ICT sector, not only from a commercial perspective but in a more inclusive way. and focused on social factors. The concept in which these licensees are granted is based on the solidarity and unity of the community that works together to take responsibility for the network that they themselves deploy.