Rural communication: the global concept

The low numbers of subscribers in rural areas and the long distances between communities pose a number of problems in providing modern telecommunication facilities. These are often compounded by adverse climates and inhospitable terrain. Overcoming these problems requires a global solution combining compatible transmission, switching, and distribution facilities to optimise telecommunication networks in rural areas, meeting both present needs and allowing for future expansion. The system approach is effective in minimising global investment and operating costs. It is based on a number of key subsystems which have been developed to cope with the main requirements of rural networks, including simplicity and low cost; easy installation, operations, and maintenance; low power consumption allowing the use of solar cells (most network failures in remote areas are caused by primary power supplies); suitability for use in difficult environmental conditions; and flexibility