Impact of the mobile GSM-F, digital radio and satellite technologies in rural communications for the next generations

In order to forecast the most convenient technology for the rural communications market, the author presents a comparative analysis among mobile GSM-F (GSM), digital multiple access radio point-to-multipoint (PMP) and satellite Globalstar (STAR) technologies with an application example, and their impact for three scenarios; years 1992/93, 1996/97 and 2000. In the rural areas with low grouping factor, the trend for the use of GSM and Globalstar technologies is growing and the trend for the use of PMP technology is decreasing. The PMP technology will continue to offer economical services within rural areas that have a moderate grouping factor