Application of wireless access to telecommunication services in developing countries

It is crucial to keep the needs of developing countries in perspective when realizing a universal personal communication network. Developing countries cannot afford installation of traditional wireline networks to provide complete telecommunication services. Network expansion by conventional wireline methods is often slow and costly. Demand for additional lines is always on the increase, posing yet another hindrance in providing services. Integration of low power wireless, cellular, microwave and satellite can be a cost effective way of providing telecommunication services in developing countries. In fact, since spectrum pollution is not a problem in developing countries, extensive networking can be achieved by wireless access. The authors outline applications of wireless technology to telecommunication expansion in developing countries. Some of the constraints in providing telecommunication services in these countries are presented. The feasibility is then explained for applying existing wireless access technologies to provide a reliable, economical and flexible telecommunication network, as an alternative to wireline services