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THE UNIVERSITY of CALGARY Public Spaces on the Information Highway: the Role of Community Networks

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THE UNIVERSITY of CALGARY Public Spaces on the Information Highway: the Role of Community Networks THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Public Spaces on the Information Highway: The Role of Community Networks by Andrew Avis A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS GRADUATE PROGRAM IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES CALGARY, ALBERTA AUGUST, 1995 © Andrew Avis 1995 ABSTRACT This thesis explores the phenomenon of community networking in Canada, particularly as it impacts the issue of universal access to emerging broadband networks. The regulatory context of community networking is examined, and recent government efforts reviewed and critiqued. Through two case studies, an analysis of three potential benefits arising from community networking is developed. These three benefits are: increased participation in the democratic system, increased access to education, and community development. Several models for providing universal access, through community networks, are presented. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis would not have been possible without the following people, who I would like to thank heartily: Dr. David Mitchell, for supervision and pool games; Dr. Douglas Brent, for equal doses of sage advice, careful suggestions, and moral support; Silvia, Mariane, and Loraine, for putting up with more than they should have; Lori Yanish, for reading; Joel, Lieff, and the thesis support group, for being there; Last and not least, my parents Walter Avis and Judith Myers Avis, for everything. Generous financial support was provided by the Government of Alberta in the form of an Alberta Graduate Scholarship. iii DEDICATION For V. if we love each(shyly) other,what clouds do or Silently Flowers resembles beauty less than our breathing - e. e. cummings iv TABLE OF CONTENTS APPROVAL PAGE .................................................................................................... ii ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......................................................................................... iv DEDICATION............................................................................................................ v TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................ vi LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES..................................................................................................... x CHAPTER ONE - INTRODUCTION......................................................................... 1 Structure of the thesis:................................................................................................. 7 CHAPTER 2 - LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................... 10 Introduction................................................................................................................. 10 Community Networks: Claims and Criticisms............................................................. 13 Democratic Participation: ................................................................................ 14 Education: ....................................................................................................... 15 Community Development:............................................................................... 16 Technology and Change: Three Traditions .................................................................. 18 Approach One: Modern Sociology................................................................... 21 Approach Two: Communications History........................................................ 24 Approach Three: Post Industrialism................................................................. 26 Theories of Community............................................................................................... 29 Community Media ...................................................................................................... 33 Democratic Communication ............................................................................ 33 Computer Networks as Community Development............................................ 34 Community Access Cable................................................................................ 35 CMC and Community Networks ................................................................................. 38 Conclusion.................................................................................................................. 42 CHAPTER THREE - THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY AND COMMUNITY NETWORKING ....................... 44 Introduction................................................................................................................. 44 History........................................................................................................................ 47 The Public Interest ...................................................................................................... 51 Current Context of Information Highway Regulation .................................................. 55 Canada: ........................................................................................................... 55 The United States: ........................................................................................... 62 Conclusion.................................................................................................................. 63 CHAPTER 4 - THE CASE STUDIES......................................................................... 66 Introduction................................................................................................................. 66 Methodology............................................................................................................... 68 Analysis: ......................................................................................................... 70 The Chebucto Community Net, Halifax, NS................................................................ 71 History ............................................................................................................ 71 Interface .......................................................................................................... 72 Goals of the Organization ................................................................................ 73 Use of the Chebucto Network .......................................................................... 77 Demographics...................................................................................... 77 Education............................................................................................. 79 Democratic Participation...................................................................... 80 Community Development .................................................................... 81 v Miscellaneous Observations................................................................. 83 The National Capital Freenet, Ottawa, ON .................................................................. 85 History ............................................................................................................ 85 Interface .......................................................................................................... 86 Goals of the Organization ................................................................................ 87 Use of the NCF................................................................................................ 88 Demographics...................................................................................... 88 Education............................................................................................. 89 Democratic Participation...................................................................... 90 Community Development .................................................................... 94 Miscellaneous Observations................................................................. 97 Conclusion.................................................................................................................. 98 CHAPTER FIVE - ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS................................. 101 Introduction................................................................................................................. 101 Regulatory Tools and Models...................................................................................... 103 Governance and Regulation ............................................................................. 104 Community Channel model.................................................................. 104 Universal Service Fund / American models.......................................... 109 The Cable Production Fund.................................................................. 111 Cross-Subsidization ............................................................................. 112 Grass Roots Initiatives..................................................................................... 113 Selling Services.................................................................................... 113 Service Club Model ............................................................................. 113 Internal Stability..................................................................................
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