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Purpose -Wi-Fi technologies enable small-scale, bottom-up development of community networks in (rural) under-serviced areas in developing countries. The purpose of this paper is to examine: the constraints and opportunities that small Wi-Fi providers have faced to date in their endeavors to develop Wi-Fi community networks in South Africa; and the extent to which the newly introduced Electronic Communications Act of 2006 might alleviate any of the constraints.Design/methodology/approach -Through interviews and document analysis the paper analyzes regulations and license application procedures in South Africa, and exemplifies the impact of both through discussion of experiences of a municipal and small private Wi-Fi provider.Findings -While formal regulation prohibits community network deployment due to low power limits and restriction of the use of Wi-Fi within private premises, informal regulatory constraints as a result of lack of clarity on licensing requirements as well as time-consuming application processes further prevent small Wi-Fi providers from entering the market. In order to further stimulate universal access strategies, regulators may find incentives to ease these constraints, particularly as innovations in wireless technologies will continue to increase bottom-up development of ICT networks by small local entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs, without extensive expertise in law and regulation, will increase the burden and workload of regulators that, particularly in developing countries, frequently face under-capacity.Originality/value -This paper extends the debate about spectrum-licensing barriers for Wi-Fi community network development in developing countries by providing insight into not only formal but also informal regulatory constraints that impede Wi-Fi community network provision.

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This study provides preliminary insights into how fiber to the home (FTTH) networks affect competition in the broadband Internet access market, and how, and if, competition on FTTH networks can be sustained. This study focuses on the Netherlands, a fast growing FTTH market with regulation mandating unbundling. Even though it is too early to paint a full picture of developments in the competitive landscape, initial findings suggest that rollout of FTTH has positive short-term effects on facilities-based competition. However, the extent to which competition on FTTH networks will develop at both the active operator and retail level remains unclear at this point. Additional uncertainties regarding the future of facilities-based competition suggest continued close monitoring of the market is necessary. Future research should address the extent to which competition at the active and retail level affect innovation.

This study provides preliminary insights into how fiber to the home (FTTH) networks affect competition in the broadband Internet access market, and how, and if, competition on FTTH networks can be sustained. This study focuses on the Netherlands, a fast growing FTTH market with regulation mandating unbundling. Even though it is too early to paint a full picture of developments in the competitive landscape, initial findings suggest that rollout of FTTH has positive short-term effects on facilities-based competition. However, the extent to which competition on FTTH networks will develop at both the active operator and retail level remains unclear at this point. Additional uncertainties regarding the future of facilities-based competition suggest continued close monitoring of the market is necessary. Future research should address the extent to which competition at the active and retail level affect innovation.