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Last-mile wireless solution for restrictive rural areas

13th July 2012

By: Chantelle Kotze

  

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While cable is best suited to expanding South Africa’s broadband infrastruc- ture, the cost of cable roll-out remains problematic in rural areas, and the additional challenge of cable theft is prompting service providers to re-evaluate their last-mile strategies, says wireless solutions provider Radwin.

Radwin Southern African Development Community region MD Peter Turvey believes wireless broadband solutions are a viable option for rural Africa, as it enables rapid deployment and affordable extension of the network’s reach.

It is also robust and has a long range in challenging topographies.

Further, wireless technologies offer carriers, service providers and public and private networks the option of high-capacity connectivity through permanent point-to-point communication or point-to-multipoint communication from a single location to multiple locations.

In urban areas, like Johannesburg, mobile operators and Internet service providers (ISPs) use last-mile solutions that entail delivering the final leg of connectivity, from a communications provider to a consumer, using cable and wireless technologies to transfer data.

For example, a tower or mast with antennas on top of a building, known as a high site, will use wireless point-to-multipoint communication for the last-mile access, with fibre-optic cabling completing the transfer of data to and from the core network to subnetworks. This is known as backhauling.

A large number of network links in urban areas are backhauled from a fixed core network through fibre-optic cables instead of through wireless technology.

The high site may deliver the last portion of wireless data to the user, but the fibreoptic cable transfers the bulk of the data from the core network, explains Turvey.

Meanwhile, specifically in rural areas, the most common method of data transfer will consist of a wireless point-to-multipoint link system on a high site.

This entails connecting one core network, from which most of the data will be backhauled by wireless point-to-point to numerous subnetworks, and then back again to the high site that will run the last-mile wireless point-to-multipoint.

Radwin, part of Israel-based telecommunications group Rad Group, offers complete backhaul, last-mile access and video transmission solutions through its point-to-point and point-to-multipoint product portfolio.

Cable vs Wireless
Data cables are fixed installed lines used by communications providers to deliver a service. Until about five years ago, owing to regulatory constraints, it was the method by which most companies would transfer data.

Turvey says that, unlike cable, wireless ena- bles not only ISPs and enterprise service providers but also smaller communications providers to enter the market relatively cost effectively in terms of infrastructure expenditure.

He adds that wireless is far more flexible and cheaper than establishing cable infrastructure, but not necessarily a faster method of data transfer.

Wireless technology also allows competition between fixed line operators, mobile operators, ISPs and wireless ISPs.

The throughput of wireless indicates, however, that the volume of data to be sent and received is affected by the distance it has to travel, as is the case with copper cable.

Botswana Project
In December last year, Radwin was awarded a tender by Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) to undertake a rural wireless solution deployment in the country.

The first phase of the project entailed the wireless connection of 28 Botswana government border control posts, while the second phase entailed the provision of data connection for 340 villages throughout the Southern African country to facilitate the provision of a data connection at governmental facilities such as clinics, schools, hospitals and libraries, besides others.

Radwin used State-owned telecommunications firm BTC’s existing tower infrastructure as well as a few shared towers for rural connectivity purposes. The tower sharing was made possible owing to a Botswana Telecommunications Authority initiative that sees Botswana-based mobile communications network provider Mascom and Orange share tower space with BTC. The project roll-out was over a six-month period. Despite initial delays, the project is now 50% complete, says Turvey.

Radwin’s wireless solutions are targeted at wireless backhaul and last-mile access solutions for corporate and higher-end small to medium- size enterprise users.

Turvey says that during the last three years, the wireless fixed video surveillance market, as well as video surveillance and communication in the mining industry, has provided significant opportunities for the company and it hopes to continue expanding into this market.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

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