comparative analysis between fiber optics and wimax in rural areas

Daniel. M.O. Adjin and Idongesit WilliamsCMI, Aalborg University Copenhagen

adjin@cmi.aau.dk and idong@cmi.aau.dk

WWRF2923-25 October 2012, Berlin, Germany

Comparative Analysis between WiMAX and Fibre Optics Backhaul Network

Development in Developing countries - The Case of Northern Ghana

Outline

• Introduction• Problem Cases• Proposed solution• Methodology• Results• Conclusion and Recommendations

2

1.Introduction

• This paper highlights the potentials of 2.3Ghz - 2.6 GHz WiMAX Technologies as a Backhaul Access Network Technology in rural areas of third world countries.

• Rationale for 2.3GHz – 2.6 GHz: The lower the frequency, the cheaper the equipment and of course the longer the propagated wavelength.

3

Introduction Contd

• Problem: Rural areas in Northern Ghana and some developing countries have little or no access to broadband internet.

• Exiting Broadband Solution in Ghana Fiber optics (Fixed network)

• Problem with Existing Solution: It is very expensive to deploy fiber optics, considering the cost of fiber optics, the civil works and the number of KM that one has to lay fiber.

2.Problem Case 1

Coverage of Fibre Optic Cable Network By VODAFONE Ghana (Padi & Adjin, 2012)

Problem Case 2

MTN Fiber Optic Networks Source: (F. Padi & D. Adjin,2012)

Problem case 3

GLO Ghana Fiber Optic Networks Source: F. Padi & D. Adjin

Unification of Cases

Merged Fiber Optic Backbone Networks using Map Merger Source: F. Padi & Adjin

Cost of Access to Fibre optics in Ghana

MTN Source: MTN Ghana (2008)

3.Proposed Solution

• A Wireless Backhaul WMAN solution is needed to deliver broadband Internet in these rural areas.

• A WMAN based on it’s ability to cover large areas. (2 Square KM to 8 Square KM per cell)

• The frequency must be on the low end of the 802.16 spectrum allocation to enable cheaper cost of equipment and long propagation of the wavelength

Proposed Solution contd

• A PMP and or with a PTP backhaul connectivity

• Any of the 802.16 wireless solutions from 802.16e (BWA) upward.

• The infrastructure should be owned by the Government enabling the network operators to co-locate to deploy last mile network solutions, hence removing the cost of buying spectrum

Why These solutions

• This proposed solution will lead to the deployment of a cost effective Wireless broadband solution in rural Ghana than deploying Fibre Optics. (Wireless vs. Fixed broadband backhaul network)

• The proposed government incentive is aimed at bringing the cost of wireless broadband delivery even lower to enable cheaper deployment of broadband technology which will lead to the accessibility, affordability of broadband Internet Access.

Theoretical Approach

• What broadband backhaul solution will enable the delivery of affordable and accessible broadband solution to rural areas to ensure user satisfaction (Network Availability)?

• Is it the existing Fibre Optic initiative or the proposed solution?

Cheaper cost of deployment

Accessibility of Technology

Affordability of Technology Satisfaction

Expectation Confirmation Theory

Expectation

Perceived Performance

Disconfirmation Satisfaction

If Disconfirmation is +ve, then Satisfaction is confirmed

ECT was first proposed by Oliver (1977)

4.Methodology

• This is a case study research. Qualitative research methods were employed. This included interviews and on site visits.

• Telephone Interview with a National Communication Authority (NCA) Ghana Official, 5 Wireless backhaul equipment installers and 1 telecom expert.

• On site visit were made to the 10 regional transmission stations to understand how far the fiber optic terminal points were to some villages.

5.Results

Aspect WiMAX (NITA e-Gov Project)

$US

Fibre optics (NCBC /VODAFONE)

$US Cost * 1 660 398,76 70 000 000 ** 27, 658 325,18

*Cost not from NITA but from ICT regulation Toolkit

*30 base stations at 43000 Euro. ($US 55 262. 25)

** Assuming there were 500 base stations

National Information Technology Agency (NITA)

Average Annual household income in some part of Northern Ghana in 2008 was $US67

Sample Cost of Deploying 802.16e and Fiber Optics in Ghana

Table 1:

Implications with ECT 1

Expectations Performance +ve Disc

-ve Disc

Satisfaction

Delivery of Broadband

Medium/High Yes Non Yes

High Bandwidth High Yes Non Yes

Cost of Access Medium/High Non Yes No

Cost of Deployment

Medium/High Non Yes No

Accessibility Medium/Low Yes Non Yes

Affordability High Non Yes No

EXTRAPOLATED ECT TABLE FOR WIMAX (WITHOUT GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES)

Table 2

Hence the need for proposed solution

Disc = Disconfirmation, + =Positive, - = Negative

Implication with ECT 2

Expectations Performance +ve Disc

-ve Disc

Satisfaction

Delivery of Broadband Speed

High Yes Non Yes

High bandwidth High Yes Non YesCost of Access Low Non Yes NoCost of Deployment

Low Non Yes No

Accessibility Low Non Yes NoAffordability Low Non Yes No

EXTRAPOLATED ECT TABLE FOR FIBER OPTICS

Table 3

Disc = Disconfirmation, + =Positive, - = Negative

Implication on Proposed Solution

Expectations Performance +ve Disc

-ve Disc

Satisfaction

Delivery of Broadband speed

High Yes Non Yes

High Bandwidth High Yes Non Yes

Cost of Access High Yes Non Yes

Cost of Deployment High Yes Non Yes

Accessibility High Yes Non Yes

Affordability High Yes Non Yes

EXTRAPOLATED ECT TABLE FOR WIMAX(WITH GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES)

Table 4

Disc = Disconfirmation, + =Positive, - = Negative

Conclusion

• If broadband internet is to be deployed in rural areas by 2020 to ensure affordability and accessibity, the following conditions has to be fulfilled

The backhaul technology should be wireless/mobile It should be an 802.16 standard The infrastructure should be owned by Government, while the private sector can develop it via Public

private Partnership of direct contracting (Cost of spectrum acquisition is removed in this manner) The interconnectivity fee between the broadband backhaul provider and the last mile providers will be

reduced if the cost of deploying the backhaul is reduced. Last mile providers should co-locate to provide broadband internet in rural areas

Thank You

Questions ?