CDMA performance for rural telecommunication access

Author

Rasello, P. ; Afullo, Thomas J.

Author_Institution

Fac. of Eng., Univ. of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban

Volume

1

fYear

2004

fDate

17-17 Sept. 2004

Firstpage

161

Abstract

In this paper, we highlight the challenges, benefits and difficulties of extending the telecommunication infrastructure to rural areas. Technologies that can be implemented in rural areas are highlighted and the system that best suits rural areas is chosen. A cost comparison between GSM and CDMA is carried out, with path loss exponent, fade margin and penetration varied to determine the net return profit. In the simulation, the path loss exponent is varied between 5.3 and 7.2 and a maximum penetration rate of 50% is assumed over a period of 10 years. The simulations show that WCDMA is the best option in a rural area, especially with a path loss exponent greater than 4.2. Rural areas of Africa are known for their low penetration rate of about 30% and WCDMA is economically viable as compared to GSM

Keywords

code division multiple access; fading channels; telecommunication services; 10 y; CDMA rural telecommunication access; GSM; WCDMA; fade margin; maximum penetration rate; path loss exponent; telecommunication infrastructure; telecommunications policy; Africa; Agriculture; Copper; Costs; GSM; Multiaccess communication; Shipbuilding industry; Telecommunication services; Telephony; Wire;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

AFRICON, 2004. 7th AFRICON Conference in Africa

Conference_Location

Gaborone

Print_ISBN

0-7803-8605-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/AFRICON.2004.1406652

Filename

1406652