Signals of Change: Social Infrastructure and Community Cellular Networks in The Philippines’ Last-Mile

Abstract

This paper examines the implementation of community cellular networks (CCNs) in last-mile communities in the Philippines. As a case study, it takes the Village Base Station (VBTS) project, which aims to deliver telecommunications access to unserved barangays in Aurora province by installing CCNs. This paper explores the social infrastructure that enabled or constrained the maximum utility and sustainability of the project. Through three focus group discussions among key stakeholders in three municipalities in Aurora and document analysis of key project documents, the research reveals a mixed sentiment towards CCNs. Results show that local stakeholders acknowledge CCNs’ benefits especially in disaster communication and local governance. However, stakeholders also highlight challenges, primarily financial constraints and maintenance issues. Stakeholders narrate shortcomings in the social infrastructure in the community, with suggestions for enhanced training and transparent communication to ensure CCNs’ long-term viability and effectiveness. The findings offer valuable insights for similar initiatives worldwide, especially regarding the dynamics between technology and social infrastructure in developing sustainable technology.