Broadband to Empower Rural India

The factors that contribute to the continuous usage of broadband technologies among youth in rural areas: A case of northern region of Malaysia

Abstract: Despite the benefits of broadband technology in education and healthcare services, its usage in the rural areas is still low and Malaysia is not excluded. This situation leads to raising the question of long-term usage of the technology. Presently, there are less empirical study on the continuous usage of broadband technology among the youths particularly school children in the rural areas of Malaysia. The objective of this study is to determine the contributing factors for continuous usage of broadband technology among youths in the rural areas. Therefore, a research model was proposed consisting of eight contributing factors for continuous usage of broadband technology. Moreover, the study used quantitative approach by distributing 450 questionnaires to respondents in the northern region of Malaysia. However, only 393 questionnaires were returned which represent 87.33% response rate. The data collected were analyzed using a Structural Equation Model to investigate the relationship between contributing factors. The results showed that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, compatibility, facilitating condition, service quality, user behavioural intention and user satisfaction are the significant contributing factors that must be in place to ensure the continuous usage of broadband among youth in the rural areas. Hence, this study contributes to the body of knowledge in Community Informatics by providing a framework for achieving long-term use of broadband technology among youths in the rural areas, through the integration of Information System Continuance Post Acceptance and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology models. The factors identified may contribute as input to the government policy formulations and service providers to ensure continuous demand for broadband from the evidence extracted from this study. Continuous usage of broadband technology in the rural areas would have positive contributions on the academic performance, literacy among youths, bridging the digital divide in broadband usage, increase home business and national productivity.

Can 3G technologies benefit rural India

Abstract: To increase telecom penetration into rural India, we would need low cost options for networks and devices that provide support not only for voice services, but also for rich media and higher data rate services. In this paper, the authors examine whether the evolution of GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) into 3G and HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) could enable this transformation, since this provides higher peak data rates and also significantly increases the network capacity. The problem is that 3G devices and services are typically part of the premium (high-price) services in the developed countries, while they have to be offered at very affordable prices if they have to take off in the rural areas. A paradigm shift may thus be required to resolve this paradox. In this paper, the authors examine if low cost 3G and HSDPA is really feasible.

Assessment of Electronic-based Integrated Marketing Communication for Rural Areas in North India

Abstract: This research paper highlights the impact of internet based marketing communication (referred as electronic integrated marketing communication or e-IMC) on the living standards of the rural population in selected North Indian villages from 4 states. A sample of total 320 respondents was taken to understand their perception about how internet communication has impacted their productivity in terms of saving costs and boosting margins on the sale of their yield. Research found use of e-IMC projects has helped them in saving moderate costs and boosting their margins from yield as much as 30 %. It is also concluded that due to faster information access which takes less than day’s time for villagers to reach has enhanced their decision-making. The research highlights the bottlenecks and reasons for absence of internet service providers. Research recommends that ICT projects requires public-private partnership to penetrate rural markets and give advantage to the rural population of reduced distribution costs and market for their products. The other suggestion includes that project offices should aspire to include more people into electronic based communication accessibility through appropriate training.

Air Interface for Fixed Broadband Wireless Access Systems

Abstract: This chapter contains sections titled: Overview MAC convergence sublayer MAC common part sublayer MAC security sublayer MAC enhancements for 2-11 GHz operation IEEE 802.16 physical layers Coexistence BWA business and technology trends

WiFiRe: rural area broadband access using the WiFi PHY and a multisector TDD MAC

Abstract: The needs of Indian rural telecom, and the economics of currently available broadband access technologies, motivate a new system for rural broadband access, which we call WiFiRe (WiFi rural extension). The system leverages the widely available, and highly cost-reduced, WiFi chipsets. We, however, retain only the PHY from these chipsets and propose a single-channel, multisector, TDD MAC using directional antennas. The proposed WiFiRe MAC is similar to the WiMAX MAC in several respects. In this article we motivate our approach, describe the system architecture and the MAC, analyse the spatial reuse, and then, using a simple scheduler, provide an assessment of the voice and data capacity of a WiFiRe system

Broadband wireless technology for rural India

Abstract: Broadband services can be best provided in rural India using wireless technology. Given modest income levels, internet-based services are accessible to most of the rural populace only through a kiosk model of delivery. Such services call for a wireless system that can provide at least 256 kbps in a sustained manner, to each of around 200 villages within a radius of 20 km from an Internet POP (Post Office Protocol). The challenge, however, is to do this at a cost per connection of under US$ 250 for the wireless equipment, in order to make the kiosk a viable business. Emerging wide-area broadband wireless technologies such as those based on the IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) standard, when mature, may meet these performance and cost requirements. If broadband services are to be provided today, and at an affordable cost, one has to look for innovative ways of adapting low-cost, high bit-rate, and high-capacity technologies meant for local networks. Two standards that are amenable to such adaptation are DECT and IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), and Broadband corDECT and WiFiRe systems are, respectively, examples thereof. The corDECT system has been proven in rural deployments and shown to provide a feasible solution.

Next generation wireless for rural areas

Abstract: India has emerged as a significant force around the world, fueled by its rapid growth over the last decade. The economic growth has taken place concurrent to its explosive growth in communications and to a significant extent, fueled by it. India used to add less than one million telephones a year in the early nineties. Now it adds six million per month. It is the wireless technology (both fixed wireless as well as mobiles), which has made telecommunication affordable in India, fueling the growth. This has helped business in all kinds of ways, propelling the Indian economy.

Can 3G technologies benefit rural India

Abstract: To increase telecom penetration into rural India, we would need low cost options for networks and devices that provide support not only for voice services, but also for rich media and higher data rate services. In this paper, the authors examine whether the evolution of GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) into 3G and HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) could enable this transformation, since this provides higher peak data rates and also significantly increases the network capacity. The problem is that 3G devices and services are typically part of the premium (high-price) services in the developed countries, while they have to be offered at very affordable prices if they have to take off in the rural areas. A paradigm shift may thus be required to resolve this paradox. In this paper, the authors examine if low cost 3G and HSDPA is really feasible.