New services and telecommunication technologies for rural application in Africa

The authors investigate the options in technologies which countries in Africa can assimilate to provide telecommunication services to the rural population. A survey of terrestrial radio systems including point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multiaccess technologies is presented. Some of these technologies are deployed in mobile communication. The option offered by satellite systems is also presented The telephone channel can be used to distribute audio-visual services which serve the special needs of the rural communities, particular in education