Efforts to Include Internet Dark Zones into Digital Economy through Community Networks

By Digital Empowerment Foundation

Published on: Nov 18, 2022

In the digital age, internet dark zones are still a painful reality in many communities. DEF has made sure that no section of the society gets left out of the digital sphere by finding means, off the mainstream methodology, to connect these communities.

In the age of the internet, internet dark zones are prone to lack of many of the basic facilities like education, information, entitlements and rights. Such areas require support in terms of both infrastructure and resources so that they first have access to the internet and then use the digital tools to stay connected for growth and development.  

Digital Empowerment Foundation, in partnership with the Internet Society (ISOC) is implementing a project named ‘Community Networks- Connecting the Indigenous Communities of Ziro Valley’. The project will help in setting up Community Networks to establish internet connectivity in the Zero Valley along with setting up a Community Information and Resource Centre (CIRC) which will provide digital tools, information and resources.  

So far, training has been imparted to work on Wireless Networks on 17th August, 2022 by our wireless engineer Mudassir Ansari. The trainer presented a detailed session on how to set up wireless connections and what is the process for troubleshooting and managing devices. The training has been successful as most participants have achieved the objectives of the training. The objectives being: to understand the fundamentals of wireless networking, to enable participants to understand the concept of the internet and wireless networks, to build confidence among participants in handling wireless networks and to be able to understand the nuances of troubleshooting and maintenance of the network. 

A centre coordinator who is from the valley who shares a sense of responsibility to uplift the community is chosen to take care of the implementation. She has already started with the mobilisation and interacted with the principals and teachers of the schools to promote Digital literacy and STEM programs. Follow the updates on this new initiative in the following chapters of digital footprints as the valley transitions into a digitally empowered community participating in the digital economy with full zest.