| face it. Rural internet connectivity problem is a | | | | advantage of local calling at no extra long-distance |
| true and real concern for developing third-world | | | | charges if you can get local dial tone from the |
| countries. The same is also true even in | | | | said telephone local exchange. |
| developed countries particularly in far, remote | | | | Next conduct a survey and note the topography |
| rural villages. Sometimes access to communication | | | | by drawing a path line from your village going to |
| is only via two-way radios. Other areas have | | | | that particular town or city. If the path is flat, with |
| telephone service but wanting even in dial-up | | | | no mountainous obstruction in between, the |
| internet access. | | | | greater the chance of signal reaching your village |
| The biggest challenge therefore for an aspiring | | | | straight from the telco's exchange. |
| internet businessman or home-based internet | | | | Negotiate with the local exchange operator the |
| worker in far remote villages is how to achieve | | | | possibility of a joint-collaboration of your proposed |
| rural internet connectivity. What should you do if | | | | communication project. Explain your objective and |
| you are in such a situation? | | | | enlist their support for the project to materialize. |
| First, take an assessment of your local area and | | | | Ask them if they could provide a solution package |
| discuss with community members the possibility | | | | that would include them providing the radio |
| of bringing rural internet access to the village. In | | | | equipment for the backhaul component. Some |
| your assessment, take note of the number of | | | | operator would agree to the idea especially if the |
| household that are going to be benefited from | | | | project offer a good return on investment and |
| your idea. Local businessmen and village leaders | | | | assured monthly recurring revenue. |
| would certainly like the idea of introducing | | | | In such case, you already have achieved your |
| communication service. Make them understand | | | | goal of bringing rural internet to your village. As |
| the benefit/advantages of your proposal. Form | | | | much as possible, locate your node in the center |
| yourselves into a group and create a committee | | | | where it would be easy to re-distribute the |
| to be tasked with planning and raising funds for | | | | service to the whole village. The node is where |
| this project. For sustainability, make it an | | | | the service operator dropped-off the internet |
| income-generating project or enterprise to help | | | | connection using the radio. From their, you need |
| defray maintenance cost. | | | | to re-broadcast the connection to the whole of |
| If all is already in place. Identify and plan now how | | | | the village. |
| are you going to get a backhaul internet access. | | | | The most cost-effective way is to re-distribute it |
| Backhaul is going to be your main communication | | | | using an outdoor, long-range WLAN (Wireless |
| link from your area to the nearest internet | | | | LAN) Access Point radio. Outdoor WLAN type of |
| service provider. | | | | radio is ideal for Wireless ISP. This type of radio is |
| Basically, since you are going to distribute the | | | | robust, high-power, reliable, designed for outdoor |
| connection to several household or establishment | | | | operation and worst-weather conditions. You will |
| in the area, you will need a dedicated internet | | | | need to purchase only one radio base station- |
| access in the level of E1 (2048Kbps) or | | | | Access Point (AP) and several Customer Premise |
| T1(1536Kbps). | | | | Equipments (CPE). The AP serves as the master |
| However, for start-up purposes, consider getting | | | | server and the CPE the receiver/slave to connect |
| a high-speed, high-bandwidth DSL connection (with | | | | your place to the node. For greater flexibility we |
| CIR or Committed Information Rate) from the | | | | suggest buying a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) Standard |
| nearest ISP. Hauling or extending the internet | | | | radio instead of proprietary technology. |
| connection (DSL) will require using an Ethernet (IP) | | | | Please note, if the internet provider will not |
| Radio such as Wireless Bridge (WLAN). This will | | | | provide the backhaul radio. As mentioned, a |
| require planning if your place is in a remote area. | | | | long-range, outdoor, wireless IP-Radio called |
| The easy solution would be to get an internet | | | | Wireless Bridge (a type of WLAN) will be needed |
| access service via satellite or VSAT. VSAT or | | | | to haul the internet connection from the city to |
| Very Small Aperture Terminal has the advantage | | | | your village. WLAN is cost-effective and reliable. |
| of delivering communication anywhere irregardless | | | | The advantages of using WiFi equipment is |
| of the topography and location of the area. As | | | | greater than using a proprietary technology. |
| long as it is covered with-in the foot prints of the | | | | A proprietary technology is a solution customized |
| satellite transponder. A big disadvantage with | | | | by a manufacturer using its own standards and |
| VSAT Link is its bandwidth limitation, service | | | | not the common standards. WiFi is an approved |
| quality and cost of service. Further, it's not as | | | | standard and all products complying with the |
| reliable as a fixed line (cable) and terrestrial | | | | standards have compatibility and inter-operability |
| wireless broadband radios. | | | | irregardless of the maker. Latest advances in WiFi |
| Another viable option would be to get your | | | | products have made it an ideal choice for WISP. |
| backhaul internet access from the nearest | | | | Long-Range Wireless LAN (WLAN) is a broadband |
| internet service provider. Perhaps, the nearest is | | | | technology. Combining it with VoIP and virtual |
| from a city several miles away from your village. | | | | IP-PBX technology, the extended dial tones from |
| Certainly, a developed town or city near your | | | | the operator's local exchange could now served |
| area must have telephone and internet service. | | | | as trunk line for a wireless local telephone |
| Your goal now is how to bring telephone and | | | | exchange. Your once isolated village is now |
| internet communication to your village. Aim also | | | | connected using cost-effective rural internet |
| for the telephone service. You have the | | | | solution. |