"The digital divide is not a problem the market alone will solve. We need to do things differently. Globally there is a growing movement of community connectivity providers — including community networks, municipal networks, cooperatives, and social enterprises — connecting underserved communities, often at faster speeds and lower prices than incumbent providers. These are the networks we need to promote, support, and invest in. Yet, almost all of them struggle to access capital. This is a nascent movement and the financial tools and capital stacks have not yet matured to meet the needs of these networks and the communities they serve. We now need to cultivate the financial infrastructure that will allow community connectivity providers to grow and scale. This report is designed to provide a foundation of understanding about what these providers look like, their various ownership and operating models, and how they can be financed sustainably. It is a practical tool for those who want to build networks and for funders and investors. The report’s 10 case studies show where and how community connectivity providers are already getting the job done and demonstrate how underserved communities can build their own internet infrastructure and take control of their digital futures. We hope this report will help more communities to achieve digital equity, catalyze more funding for community connectivity providers, and accelerate access to the internet and digital tools so that everyone can fully participate in our digitalizing world." (Foreword) "This report covers the following broad topics: operator life-cycle and stages of growth; Economics of operating a network; ownership structures; operating models; financing mechanisms. Case studies include: Broadband for the Rural North Ltd. (UK); Zenzeleni Network (South Africa); City of Ammon Fiber Optics (USA); Guifi.net (Spain); Rhizomatica (Mexico); RS Fiber (USA); AlterMundi (Argentina); BOSCO (Uganda); Common Room (Indonesia); La Différence (DR Congo); Net2Home (Thailand)." (p.11-13)