Rural automation-the Kenya experience

Kenya Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (KP&TC) has embarked on the Rural Automation Programme to improve rural telephone services. This paper outlines some of the user expectations, requirements and limitations when implementing such a programme. The Kenyan situation is treated as a case study where the following issues are discussed: typical characteristics of the Kenyan telecommunications network as it existed prior to rural automation; aims and objectives of the Rural Automation Programme; factors considered when making choices on the equipment, technology and network configuration to be adopted (switching and transmission equipment, building services, power requirements and air conditioning); planning and implementation of the programme; technical personnel development; maintenance philosophy; problems encountered; impact of the Rural Automation Programme on the existing network, on development and on revenues; and future plans