Analysis of Telecommunications Infrastructure for Internet Access in Developing Countries

Internet has seen tremendous growth in terms of number of hosts and number of users in recent years. Despite this growth, Internet is not universally available. Most of the Internet activity takes place in the developed nations. Even in places where Internet connectivity is available, users are constrained to use low bandwidth connections because of the limitations of the access network that connects them to the backbone networks. This problem, known as “last mile” problem in telecommunications has attracted the attention of researchers. Bell (1996) addresses the last-mile problem for Internet connectivity as applicable to developed countries and prescribes possible wireline based access network solutions. Khasnabish (1997) addresses both wired and wireless access networks, again in the context of developed economies. Chatterjee (1997) briefly discusses this problem for providing broadband access. Developing countries have very low teledensities and have inferior telecommunication infrastructure. The technology alternatives suitable for developed nations are not suitable for developing countries. Paulraj (1995) addresses the last-mile problem in developing countries and suggests wireless solutions for basic telephony based services. In this paper we extend the model described in (Paulraj, 1995) to address additional factors to be considered for the evaluation of access network alternatives for providing Internet connectivity in developing countries. We investigate which access network technology is suitable for Internet connectivity for residential users in developing countries. Preliminary studies indicate that wireless access solutions have an edge over wireline technologies

Broadband: a solution to rural e-learning?

Rural and remote learners are disadvantaged even with online provision due to poor connections. Broadband offers a potential solution. This paper looks at the initial results of a project to install broadband services in the Western Isles of Scotland. It focuses on the educational potential of broadband and the design implications for online courses. It also considers more informal kinds of learning that broadband facilitates in rural areas

The Future of Mobile Industry

This paper discusses the future of mobile industry along with some of the background leading to the emergence of wireless technology. First, it gives an overview of today’s telecommunication network and the major differences between fixed wired networks and wireless networks. The discussion then focuses on the challenges facing the wireless industry and the way out through aggressive innovation by employing Wireless Intelligence Network (WIN) technology. The paper also discusses some important trends in wireless industry and the customers expectations which are also part of the challenges for the mobile industry. Finally particular reference is made to the developing nations especially Nigeria in the ongoing trends in mobile communication industry

Meeting the information challenge: exploring partnerships with Africa

Africa suffers from the disadvantages of marginality within the global technical system and a legacy of externally driven infrastructure. Developments in information and communication technologies now offer the chance to redress these but the technologies require skills and capacities which are scarce. The technologies themselves can be used to leverage existing resources so that the necessary skills can be developed. However this process needs to take account of African priorities and requirements if the current inequitable situation is not to be reproduced in a new global infrastructure. The key to this is a balance between external partnership and internal collaboration. The African diaspora offers a means of moderating such relationships

Digital Diversity: Broadband and Indigenous Populations in Alaska

Presented at the Experts Workshop. Sponsored by the Ford Foundation.Alaska Natives comprise several cultural and linguistic groups including Inupiat, Yupik, Athabascan, Aleut, Tlingit and Haida, organized into some 226 tribes. Approximately two-thirds of the indigenous population live in more than 200 rural villages, most of which are remote settlements with fewer than 200 people and no road access. Since the late 1970’s, all communities with at least 25 permanent residents have had telephone service, but broadband connectivity remains limited. The major mechanism for extending Internet access to rural Alaska has been federal universal service funds, specifically the E-rate program that subsidizes Internet access for schools and libraries, and the Rural Health program that subsidizes connectivity for rural health clinics and hospitals. Under the federal Stimulus program, Alaska has also recently received funding for infrastructure to extend broadband in southwest Alaska, for improved connectivity for rural libraries, and for training and support for rural public computer centers. These initiatives primarily support improvements in Internet and broadband availability for rural Alaska. However, this paper proposes a more rigorous framework including not only availability, but more broadly access, and also adoption, and examines how these concepts apply to Alaska natives. The paper also examines other elements of digital diversity, including innovation in applications and content, ICT entrepreneurship, and participation in telecommunications policy-making

How 5G wireless (and concomitant technologies) will revolutionize healthcare?

The need to have equitable access to quality healthcare is enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which defines the developmental agenda of the UN for the next 15 years. In particular, the third SDG focuses on the need to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”. In this paper, we build the case that 5G wireless technology, along with concomitant emerging technologies (such as IoT, big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning), will transform global healthcare systems in the near future. Our optimism around 5G-enabled healthcare stems from a confluence of significant technical pushes that are already at play: apart from the availability of high-throughput low-latency wireless connectivity, other significant factors include the democratization of computing through cloud computing; the democratization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cognitive computing (e.g., IBM Watson); and the commoditization of data through crowdsourcing and digital exhaust. These technologies together can finally crack a dysfunctional healthcare system that has largely been impervious to technological innovations. We highlight the persistent deficiencies of the current healthcare system and then demonstrate how the 5G-enabled healthcare revolution can fix these deficiencies. We also highlight open technical research challenges, and potential pitfalls, that may hinder the development of such a 5G-enabled health revolution

Delivery of broadband services to SubSaharan Africa via Nigerian communications satellite

Africa is the least wired continent in the world in terms of robust telecommunications infrastructure and systems to cater for its more than one billion people. African nations are mostly still in the early stages of Information Communications Technology (ICT) development as verified by the relatively low ICT Development Index (IDI) values of all countries in the African region. In developing nations, mobile broadband subscriptions and penetration between 2000-2009 was increasingly more popular than fixed broadband subscriptions. To achieve the goal of universal access, with rapid implementation of ICT infrastructure to complement the sparsely distributed terrestrial networks in the hinterlands and leveraging the adequate submarine cables along the African coastline, African nations and their stakeholders are promoting and implementing Communication Satellite systems, particularly in Nigeria, to help bridge the digital hiatus. This paper examines the effectiveness of communication satellites in delivering broadband-based services

Impacts for m-Internet applications and perspectives in agriculture

Mobile communication and the mobile Internet can provide important opportunities, economic advantages for enterprises end organisations and support their more efficient operating as they can use it anytime and anywhere. We can make their wide spread usage, innovation effect and advantages economical way if we consider the effect system of technologies and services. The technological, social and economical complex effect system puts pressure on spreading of business applications. The types of applicable equipment are increasing. There can be found four player groups according to social aspects: manufacturers, enterprises, customers and workers. The Internet technology and the Internet network have become essential communication tools in business processes recently. Using the Internet by means of mobile appliances increases the possibilities. If we study the business process the expenses, advantages, disadvantages can be seen well. Nowadays these applications are more and more successful in the following areas such as in agriculture, in different parts of food industry, in extension services, precision agriculture, logistics

Boston Unplugged: Mapping a Wireless Future

Reviews a variety of models that would allow Boston to provide free or low-cost high-speed Internet access citywide. Outlines the benefits and mechanics of citywide WiFi, and lists factors to consider in designing, developing, and deploying a system

The case for "Open Access" communications infrastructure in Africa : the SAT-3/WASC cable - a briefing

This study examines the impact the SAT-3 fibre optic submarine cable has had on telecommunications in four African countries has found that the potential of the cable has not been properly exploited. Instead, ownership of the cable by telecoms incumbents in the countries researched has reinforced their market positions. The study analyses the effect ownership of the South Atlantic 3/West Africa Submarine Cable (SAT-3/WASC) has had on the communications markets in Angola, Cameroon, Ghana and Senegal. It focuses on the 'Africa section' of the submarine cable -running along the west coast of Africa down to southern Africa- with a specific emphasis on access and cost