Thailand Rural Wireless Broadband Access Initiative by Kanchana

Thailand Rural Wireless Broadband Access Initiative by Kanchana Wanichkorn, Ph. D. National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC( Thailand presented at APT Regional Forum for ICT Experts in South-East Asia : Meeting the Challenges on Digital Gaps Approaching e-Government Jakarta, Indonesia 4 -5 February 2004

Background and Motivation n In an “information society”, access to telecom and information services become a crucial driver for economic and social development. n n Connectivity leads to productivity. The digital gaps between urban and rural communities in Thailand. n n More than 17, 000 villages (out of 70, 000) do not have access to basic telephony service. Thousands of schools, libraries, hospitals, health-care units, local community centers, and small businesses in rural Thailand do not have access to Internet service. Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 2

n The lack of telecom infrastructure in rural areas is mainly due to high costs of building out “last mile” networks to the communities. n n sparseness of the population, difficult terrain to install copper pairs, not enough revenues to justify costs. The growth of the Internet and rapid deployment of broadband services in urban cities make rural areas more vulnerable to not receiving access to advanced telecom and information services. n Thus, threaten to broaden the digital gaps between the information “haves” and “have-nots. ” Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 3

The Promise of Wireless Networks n n First generation fixed wireless access or wireless local loop (WLL) has been used worldwide to provide basic telephony service in rural areas. Wireless competitive advantages over wireline: n n quick installation small initial investment gradual growth and expansion according to local demand insensitivity to exact location of the subscriber. Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 4

n n New generation of broadband fixed wireless access technologies (such as Wi. Fi and Wi. Max) are capable of delivering not just good-quality of digital voice but broadband Internet access service as well. Promoted by the industry as a new solution to bridge the “digital divide” in the broadband era. . . Yet, the industry as a whole has not been successful on a large scale to implement broadband wireless access in rural areas. Why? Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 5

Challenges in Deploying Broadband Wireless Access in Rural Areas n Off-the-shelf equipment is typically not optimally designed for a large rural area deployment. n n Required proper planning and refinements Lack of spectrum n In many countries (including Thailand), ITU-recommended unlicensed bands of spectrum for broadband wireless access deployment in the 2. 4 GHz and 5 GHz ranges have already been licensed out for other applications. Thus, need other bands for broadband wireless deployment. Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 6

n n n Interconnection to the telephone network (PSTN) and Internet backbone can be a major expense. In rural/remote areas, reliable power supply may not be available. Providing voice over IP service is prohibited or may required proper licenses from the government in many countries. Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 7

The Rural Wireless Broadband Access (RWBA) Initiative n Initiated by a group of NECTEC researchers and engineers n n n n Dr. Thaweesak Koanantakool, Director of NECTEC Mr. Pramote Srisuksant Mr. Sutat Patomnupong Dr. Chadamas Thuvasethakul Dr. Kasititorn Pooparadai Dr. Kanchana Wanichkorn To be officially launched in April 2004 Goal : n n Develop a model for rural wireless broadband access community networks Provide information resources and guidelines on rural deployment of broadband wireless access networks Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 8

Action Plan n n Phase I: Develop a broadband wireless access solution capable of providing digital voice and broadband Internet access services in a large rural area Phase II: Launch a pilot program for the provision of broadband wireless voice and Internet access services in target rural communities to identify key success factors for sustainable services Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 9

Phase I : Development of RWBA Equipment Prototypes Develop equipment prototypes capable of providing digital voice and broadband Internet access services in a large rural area.

RWBA System Architecture Internet FT Router PSTN Leased Line BS Base Station Vo. IP Gate Way Fixed Terminal FT IP Phone Point-to-Point Transmission System Point-to-Multipoint Distribution System IP Network Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 11

RWBA Design Criteria n The system must be n n n n digital in structure capable of providing voice and high-speed Internet access services (at least 2 Mbps aggregated speed in each direction( based on a basic TCP/IP protocol able to support multi-layered formats with built-in VPN using no more than 15 MHz of spectrum bandwidth adjustable to operate in multiple frequency bands optimally designed to cover a large rural area Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 12

Factors Affecting System’s Capacity and Coverage n Designing a wireless system typically involves tradeoffs between system’s capacity and coverage. n A good compromise among these factors is one key to a successful implementation of a broadband wireless network. Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 13

Available Spectrum for Broadband Wireless Deployment Name Wireless Commnunications Service (WCS) Type Licensed Frequency 450 -470 MHz 746 -764 MHz 776 -794 MHz 2305 -2320 MHz 3. 65 -3. 7 GHz 4. 94 -4. 99 GHz 1710 -1755 MHz 1755 -1810 MHz 2110 -2150 MHz 2160 -2165 MHz Bandwidth 20 MHz 18 MHz 15 MHz 50 MHz 45 MHz 55 MHz 40 MHz 5 MHz Advanced Mobile&Fixed Communications Services (AMFCS or 3 G) Licensed Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS)/Instructional TV Fixed Service (ITFS) Licensed 2156 -2160 MHz 2500 -2690 MHz 4 MHz 190 MHz Unlicensed Spectrum 2400 MHz Unlicensed 2400 -2483. 5 MHz Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) Unlicensed 5. 15 -5. 25 GHz 5. 25 -5. 35 GHz 5. 725 -5. 825 GHz 12. 2 -12. 7 GHz 100 MHz 500 MHz Multichannel Video Distribution& Data Service (MVDDS) Licensed Digital Electronic Message Service (DEMS) Licensed 24. 25 -24. 45 GHz 25. 05 -25. 25 GHz 200 MHz Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) Licensed 27. 5 -28. 35 GHz 29. 1 -29. 25 GHz 31. 0 -31. 3 GHz 850 MHz 150 MHz 300 MHz 39 GHz Wireless Services Licensed 38. 6 -40 GHz 1400 MHz Unlicensed 57 -64 GHz 7000 MHz Developing Milimeter Wave Systems Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 14

Comparison of Spectrum Characteristics Low Microwave Frequencies(<10 GHz) • Radio technology is inexpensive, capable of delivering products for consumer market. • Long propagation distances (up to 50 km). • Low weather dependence but subject to multipath interference • Spectrum is scarce, difficult to obtain wide-band license. High Microwave Frequencies(>10 GHz) • Radio technology is expensive, existing solutions are applicable mostly to business sector. • Short propagation distances (3 -5 km) and require line-of-sight. • High weather dependence. • Spectrum is available, it is possible to get up to 1 GHz. better for rural deployment Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 15

RWBA Equipment Prototypes at 2. 4 GHz Unlicensed Frequency Band Fixed Terminal Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC Base Station 16

Field Trial of the 2. 4 GHz Equipment Prototypes n n A field trial has been set up at NECTEC in Science Park, Patumthani to test the performance of equipment prototypes. Base station equipment is located on top of NECTEC Head Office Building. Multiple point-to-multipoint fixed terminal units are installed within 5 Km radius. A single point-to-point fixed terminal unit is installed 20 Km away from NECTEC. Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 17

Phase II: RWBA Pilot Program Launch a pilot program for the provision of broadband wireless voice and Internet access services in target rural communities to identify key success factors for sustainable services.

Site Selection n Analysis of population distribution in rural villages to help select pilot sites. (2 -3 sites that captures different characteristics of rural villages will be selected. ) The number of population per village Area Size per village 30000 12000 10000 20000 Frequency Frequnecy 8000 10000 6000 4000 Std. Dev = 311. 76 Mean = 841. 4 2000 Std. Dev = 4. 87 Mean = 7. 7 N = 66791. 00 0 600. 0 1000. 0 1600. 0 2200. 0 2000. 0 2600. 0 2400. 0 The number of population Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 2800. 0 N = 66791. 00 0 . 0 33. 0 31. 0 29. 0 27. 0 25. 0 23. 0 21. 0 19. 0 17. 0 15. 0 13. 0 11 0 9. 0 7. 0 5. 0 3. 0 1200. 0 1800. 0 1. 800. 0 1400. 0 Area Size (square kilometers) 19

Cost Estimation n A cost model will be developed to estimate the costs of implementing RWBA systems. Indoor Wireless Modem and MTA Unit 17% Backup NMS Power Others Network 2% 1% Routers 4% Electronics 5% Backup System 5% Battery Backup 6% Antennae and Trans. Lines 8% WMTS 36% RF Backup System 8% Installation 28% Outdoor Transceiver and Antenna Unit 40% Sample Cost Results for Customer Premises Equipment ($x) Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC Installation 9% Towers and Lights 11% Transmitters and Receivers 11% Sample Cost Results for Base Station Equipment ($y)20

Field Trial Activities n n In partnership with local communities and other interested parties, RWBA equipment prototypes will be setup in target rural communities for a period of one year. Engineering measurements will be collected to monitor the performance of the RWBA system. Surveys will be conducted to gather feedback from the communities on the need for and interest in broadband connectivity. Analyses will be done to identify key success factors for sustainable services. Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 21

Other Sample Activities to Bridge the Digital Gaps in Thailand

Sample Projects n n n n n Wireless Local Loop for Rural Telephone School. Net Thailand The Community Telecenter Development of Fundamental Software Packages for Thailand using Open Source Economy-Class PC Project Automatic Web Translation Services Mobile IT Training Distance Learning via Satellite Please consult the documentation entitled “IT for Poverty Reduction: Sample cases from Thailand” for more detail. Copyright 2004 by RWBA Initiative-NECTEC 23

Thank you very much for your attentions. Kanchana Wanichkorn (kanchana@nectec. or. th)