New Technologies for Rural Applications

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New Technologies for Rural Applications

• Overview of the work of the ITU D Focus Group
  7
  
• Dr. Abdelfattah ABUQAYYAS
• ARB CoE Coordinator
• Abdelfattah.abuqayyas_at_ties.itu.int

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Rural Connectivity

• Improve information flow
• Promote micro-finance for rural ICTs
• Promote new technologies
• Examine renewable energy for ICTs in rural areas

Improve connectivity in rural and remote areas,
increase ICT access and lower cost
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Rural Connectivity

• Rural and remote areas are frequently ignored by
  domestic and international service providers in
  roll out of services
  
• Universal service obligations mean finding
  attractive and affordable means of extending
  service
  
• Emerging Wireless technologies to complement
  existing infrastructure, may offer lower cost
  alternatives to access problems
  

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LDC.

• Increasingly remote

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Final Report
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Background of Rural Connectivity Initiative

• VAP calls for promotion of universal service for
  rural and remote areas
  
• Topic of study formulated at 1998 World
  Telecommunication Development Conference in
  Valetta, Malta
  
• Focus Group 7, under Chair of Y. Kawasumi from
  Japan produced report New Technologies for Rural
  Application
  
• WTCD 02 endorsed recommendations with Resolution
  11 and inclusion in IsAP
  
• "Study various mechanisms by which to promote the
  development of new telecommunication technologies
  for rural applications"
  

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Rural Applications of ICTs
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Applications

• FG7 found a wide variety of communication enabled
  electronic devices used in rural applications
  
• Videophone telemedicine in Indonesia
• PC-based telemedicine workstations
• Personal computers
• African Virtual University
• Electro-diagram monitor that transmit patient
  data over a regular telephone lines

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Challenges to ICT Implementation in Rural
Areas

• Challenge 1 Equipment Installation
• Installation is risky, time consuming and
  expensive.
  
• Compared to laying cable, wireless technologies
  can simplify installation in remote locations.
  
• However, wireless systems require a local power
  supply.
  
• In South Africa, telecom operator Telkom reports
  a major problem of theft of solar panels
  installed to power wireless local loop
  equipment.

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Challenges to ICT Implementation in Rural
Areas

• Challenge 2 Lack of mains power supply

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Challenges to ICT Implementation in Rural
Areas

• Challenge 3 Lack of funds for initial capital
  investment

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• Challenge 4 Operation and Maintenance

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• Challenge 5 Affordable coverage
• Rural areas often lack the subscriber density
• to make telecom infrastructure economically
  feasible.
  
• A few operators have found profitability in areas
  of spillover coverage from cellular networks,
  (ExampleMTN Uganda)
  
• Challenge 6 Lack of Technical Support and
  Computer Repair Facilities
  

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• Challenge 7 Multiple players in
• ICT design implementation
• Public telecommunication operators
• Internet service providers
• Government ministries of education, health,
  etc.
  
• NGOs
• UN Agencies UNESCO, UNDP, etc.

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Contents Overview of Different Technologies

• Narrowband packet radio
• GSM solutions
• P-MP WLL solutions
• P-P/DECT WLL
• CDMA 450 (450 Mhz)
• VSAT
• Satellite / Digital Satellite Radio
• Meteor Burst Communications
• IMT 2000
• Wireless routers/VOIP

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Different Technologies 1

• Narrowband Packet Radio
• VHF and UHF radio systems for Internet access
  TCP/IP
  
• Uses transceiver, terminal node controller (TNC),
  antenna and power source
  
• Low cost, low bandwidth at 1200 baud
• GSM 400
• ETSI standard in 400 Mhz band enables wider area
  coverage than 900/1800 MHz bands
  
• Supports General Packet Radio Service (GPSR) and
  Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE)
  
• Data transmission rates at over 115 kbt/s
• Combined Point-to-Multipoint / WLL systems
• TDMA based radio systems/WLL with PHS or Digital
  Enhanced Cordless telephone (DECT)
  
• Standardized in Japan and Europe

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Different Technologies 2

• CDMA450
• Spectrum in 450 MHz allocated for wireless in
  Central and Eastern Europe
  
• Covers same range as systems in 850 MHz using
  half the cells
  
• Ability to offer wide range of features and
  services
  
• VSAT
• Prices falling rapidly driven down by economies
  of scale and increased efficiencies
  
• Integrated VSAT/WLL systems provide variable
  technical outputs and service provision
  
• Satellite-based Internet access
• Satellite capacity leased from KU-band GSO
  operators
  
• Digital Satellite Radio
• Three geostationary satellites in L band
  (1467-1492 MHhz, Principally broadcast servics
  

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Different Technologies 3

• Meteor Burst Communications
• Wireless transmission based on reflection of
  signals from small meteors entering atmosphere
  
• Operation between 30-50 MHz
• Best suited for short messaging (SMS) or mobile
  email to areas outside GSM coverage
  
• IMT 2000
• International Mobile Telecommunications 2000
  advanced mobile for evolution from 0 to 3 GHz
  systems
  
• Systems operating around 2 Ghz provide comparable
  service to digital cellular at 1800-1900 MHz
  
• Fixed Wireless Access adaptations enable lower
  cost, higher bandwidth applications
  
• Wireless Routers and VOIP
• Routers present TCP/IP platform with 11 Mbit/s
  for 1-2 km range or 2 Mbit/s for 3-5 km range
  
• Interconnected with PSTN using a transit gateway

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FG 7 ReportNew Technologies for Rural
Applications
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(No Transcript)
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For More Information

• Focus Group 7 case library
• http//www.itu.int/ITU-D/fg7/
• THANK YOU