Transcript Focus Group 7 (FG7) - Communication and Information
New Technologies for Rural Accessibility
Introduction to ITU-D Focus Group 7’s Final Report INFOETHICS2000 Yasuhiko KAWASUMI November 13, 2000, Paris
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Topic of study formulated at WTDC98 (Valleta, Malta) “Study various mechanism by which to promote the development of new telecommunication technologies for rural applications” Funded by a Voluntary Contribution from the Government of Japan
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
FG7 Activities 1999 - 2000
Case Library: 57 project reports collected and available on-line FG7 Web Site: Over 1000 visitors from more than 60 countries Number of FG7 registered members: 81 Discussion groups via email, archived on line
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Collection of Case Reports on;
a) ongoing projects using technologies specially designed for rural areas of developing countries including Multipurpose Community Tele-center, Telemedicine and Tele-education; b) planned projects that make new combinations linked with WLL networks; c) examples of how equipment has been adapted for use in particular, harsh climatic or other conditions of remote and rural areas, such as solar powered telephone
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Focus Group aimed;
a)to select those types of project or system that have social or economic importance but limited commercial profitability, so that the ITU can focus special support upon such projects in helping to develop technology for rural applications; b)to list new measures to be taken by ITU-D to encourage manufacturers developing countries; and relevant organizations to create technology tailored to c)among those measure, to recommend priorities that ITU-D should follow to help achieve the development of technology for rural applications.
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Characteristics of Rural Areas
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scarcity of absence of public facilities such as reliable electricity supply, water, access roads and regular transport; scarcity of technical personnel difficult topographical conditions, e.g. lakes, rivers, hills, mountains or desserts which render the construction of telecommunications networks very costly severe climatic conditions that make critical demands on the equipment low level of economic activity mainly based on agriculture, fishing, handicrafts, etc.; low per capita income underdeveloped social infrastructure(health, education, etc): low population density;
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
FG7 Findings: Applications
Women in Mozambique listening to broadcasts on a clockwork-powered radio Source: Freeplay Foundation
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i)
Disadvantage of Rural Areas
Low educational level, high illiteracy rate Hardly any job opportunities Low income per capita and per family Increasing migration of the young to urban centers Unreliable and badly functioning public transport Irregular, if any, power supply Poor health care and medical services Lack of other government services Little participation in national affairs
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Community and Business Development Applications
Multipurpose Community Telecenters (MCTs) Telephone-based Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
Equipment layout at the Valle de Angeles MCT Three access options for delivering relevant information to rural communities over the PSTN (Source: RiSTi - Telkom Indonesia)
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Telemedicine
Electrocardiogram monitor that transmits patient data over a regular telephone line Videophone Telemedicine in Indonesia
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Tele-education
African Virtual University Content Provider (university or studio) Uplink Facility (Washington D.C., Europe, Canada New Skies Satellite Partner Institutions (Africa) Classroom Classroom
AVU classroom at the Ethiopian Civil Service College (left)
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Trends in rural applications
Specialized expertise used to design applications in education, health care, administration, etc.
Widespread adoption of Internet platform and multimedia content Presence of multiple actors: PTOs, Governments, NGOs, UN Agencies Lack of telecom connectivity still #1 barrier in rural areas
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
FG7 Findings: Technologies
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Wireless Access Technologies
EXISTING
VHF radio PMP/Cordless WLL VSAT Digital satellite radio
EMERGING
GSM 400 IMT-2000 Wireless routers Two-way satellite Internet access
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
New Wireless Combinations
Example: Point-to-Multipoint / PHS - Wireless Local Loop Local Exchange with V5.2 interface
NMS Remote Tower
Base Station (control part)
Source: Japan Radio Company, Ltd Radio Unit
Base Station (radio part) TDMA 2.4 GHz
Remote Tower
PHS WLL 1.9 GHz Remote Station Fixed Station
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Wireless IP-Based Networks at PSTN Edge
WAN link over rough terrain Wireless IP Phone Network Gateway to PSTN
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Powering rural and remote telecom installations
Micro Hydro Wind Energy Solar Power
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Meeting small-scale rural power requirements
Device
Black and white TV Colour TV Video casette player Radio cassette player w/speakers Desktop computer and monitor Laptop computer Two-way radio (standby) Two-way radio (transmitting) Fax/answering machine
Typical power consumption (watts)
12 - 18 40 - 120 20 - 40 5 - 80 350 - 500 20 - 40 5 - 10 40 - 50 30 - 60 Source: World Bank,
Users' Guide to Off-Grid Energy Solutions.
http://www.worldbank.org/html/fpd/energy/off_grid
Typical use per day (hours)
2 - 6 2 - 6 1 - 4 2 - 12 4 - 8 4 - 8 12 0.5 - 3 continuous
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Taking advantage of low-cost multimedia devices
Price Range for Low-End Multimedia Devices, September 2000 $1000 $800 $600 $400 $200 $0
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Providing rural access to information through client/server computing
The client/ server model is the design paradigm of the World Wide Web.
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Lowering the technical skills barrier using information appliances
To install a pre-configured email appliance: insert batteries plug in telephone line turn on machine To install PC-based email: connect hard disk drive, monitor, keyboard and mouse plug computer & monitor into 110/220 AC outlet boot up the hard drive navigate the file management system install email software configure dial-up access number, modem rate, SMTP server, etc.
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Shifting hardware and software maintenance to urban areas using thin client networks
Source: Byte Magazine, www.byte.com
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Guidelines for Rural ICTs
Modularity and scalability Use of wireless technologies Low frequency bands Remote network management Simple configuration & operation 16. Guidelines for rural ICT designers I
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Guidelines for Rural ICTs
(con’t.)
Accessible user interface Long life cycle Multi-user terminals Standards compliance Low power requirements
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Barriers in Question
Coordination of Frequencies under 1GHz with regional and national authorities; Concern about the high license fee for frequency spectrum; International Charging Arrangements for Internet Services(ICAIS)
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
4.
Focus Group Recommendations
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Focus Group 7 Recommendations
1. Promote the development of low-cost information appliances for rural use.
2. Create a renewable energy handbook on small-scale power systems for rural ICTs.
3. Increase collaboration with microfinance organizations to develop communication-based rural businesses and applications.
4. Conduct pilot projects of packet-based wireless access infrastructure for multimedia applications.
5. Maintain and expand FG7 Web site.
6. Hold a symposium on new technologies for rural applications.
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Conclusions
The goal of “Missing Link” report in 1985; “To bring telephone service within the easy reach of all humankind” As the gap of “haves” and “have-nots” are closing, new gaps are widening The new goal of the ITU Secretary General “To bring internet services to all humankind within a decade in the new millennium”
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Conclusions-cont’d
1)Choice of technology for rural access is one of the key issues.
2)Linking suppliers and implementers on the web. By providing the comprehensive catalogue with contact information is useful 3) Shared use concept is useful for making ICT terminals and facilities at community centers available at affordable cost.
4)Wireless access system such as FWA, VSATs are effective means of establishing infrastructure in rural areas; less cost and easy installation over the wired system.
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Conclusions-cont’d
5)IP based network is more economical and flexible than circuit switched network. Emerging packet based wireless access technologies such as IMT-2000 and wireless routers, are being designed to deliver wide range of traffic types more efficiently than traditional wired and cellular telephony network.
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000
Conclusions-cont’d
6)Collaboration for promotion of rural projects among multi-actors such as PTO’s, Governments, UN Agencies, and NGOs etc. should be encouraged. 7) Participation of women and the youth for promotion of information access for rural community should be encouraged. 8) Visit to
SG2 Focus Group 7 Final Report Presentation Geneva, 21 September 2000