Broadband wireless technology for rural India

TLDR: Broadband services can be best provided in rural India using wireless technology using DECT and IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), and Broadband corDECT and WiFiRe systems are, respectively, examples thereof, which have been proven in rural deployments and shown to provide a feasible solution.

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.