This research topic will examine alternative models of network ownership and management, with a particular focus on local ownership of networks in rural communities. It will look at a variety of ownership and control models, including cooperatives, SMEs, municipal government ownership, public-private partnerships and scenarios in which different entities own different parts of the network (i.e. private backbone and cooperative last mile). It will also look at changing technologies that are making local ownership and management possible (especially wireless) and at policy and regulatory best (and worst) practices.