New Technologies for Rural Applications

1. New Technologies for Rural Applications Overview of the work of the ITU – D Focus Group 7 Dr. Abdelfattah ABUQAYYAS ARB CoE Coordinator Abdelfattah.abuqayyas@ties.itu.int

2. 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

3. 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

4. World: 360 million LDCs: 0.58 million Total: 6 billion LDCs: 680 million 0.13% 10% LDC…. Increasingly remote…

5. Final Report

6. 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" • :

7. Rural Applications of ICTs

8. 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

9. 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.

10. Challenges to ICT Implementation in Rural Areas Challenge #2: Lack of mains power supply

11. Challenges to ICT Implementation in Rural Areas Challenge #3: Lack of funds for initial capital investment

12. Challenge #4: Operation and Maintenance

13. 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, (Example:MTN Uganda) Challenge #6: Lack of Technical Support and Computer Repair Facilities

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. FG 7 ReportNew Technologies for Rural Applications

21. For More Information Focus Group 7 case library: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/fg7/ THANK YOU