In South Africa, as in much of the rest of the world, telecommunication services are concentrated in a handful of monopolistic private companies that reap massive profits at the expense of ordinary South Africans. But South Africa’s vibrant civil society is pushing back against private sector profiteering and, in doing so, is opening up space for alternatives to privatised telecommunications.

This research paper draws on case studies of alternative models from around the world that will hopefully provide examples for South Africa to follow. It further explores R2K’s efforts to democratise communications in the country by advocating alternatives that uphold democratic and egalitarian principles in telecommunications delivery.